Job Discussion Forums

[Marcoregano]

Six years abroad. About this time 1998 I was about to return home to the UK (from South Korea) after my first year of teaching. I was very excited about seeing my family and friends again. Suffice to say, it was something of an anticlimax and after 4 weeks I was very much looking forward to getting back to Changsong and seeing my new friends. Six years on I find myself not particularly looking forward to my annual pilgrimage home (...well used to the anticlimax now), nor, already, am I much looking forward to returning to HK.....I feel strangely apathetic about the whole biz. Anyone else recognise these symptoms?

[bnix]

Maybe you are just burned out.Maybe you should consider teaching in another country.or getting out of TESOL completely.Not a flame.Just suggestions.It is a burnout business.

[PanamaTeacher]

Marco--how old are you, maybe you're going through some type of life crisis. I think it is never good to make a drastic change based on ennui; ride it out. Teaching depresses me sometimes because it does become routine (I've done it seven years now). But I was depressed after a decade in my last career and foolishly left everything to start all over. I left the place but the problem came with me. Cheer up, I wish I could be a teacher in Honk Kong (minus SARS) rather than a little boring place like Panama. Worst, I'm stuck here forever cause I don't want to start all over again. Good Luck!

[tjpnz2000]

I feel for you, I don't have any definate answers but know you are not alone. My stratergy is to always have definate goals to achieve and something to look forward to.

I personally go through a 3 month cycle. Every 3 months I hate every thing; the job, the food, trying to learn Japanese, the weather, I mean everything. It usually lasts about a week, sometimes 2, then I start to like things again. I try to change things every 3 months so I don't secum to the negative feelings. Mostly I change little things, like my tie or what I have for breakfast. I think it gives me a feeling of control in a situation where I control very little of my existance.

Many of us feel that we don't belong in the country where we live but we don't belong in our home countries anymore either.

T

[Marcoregano]

Hi guys....thanks for the concern. Actually, I am far from suicidal....think I had a bit of a black dog day yesterday. I am bored shitless of teaching sometimes (which is why I don't just teach....i'm also a freelance journo....but that has become boring as well...writing about education) and probably could do with a change of scene....like another year of traveling in South America. PT...I'm 41 but not having a mid-lifer....reckon I had that when I was in my late 20's. But I do feel I've reached a certain point in the expat life cycle....like I'm shedding a skin or something (hence my allusion to 'six year syndrome'). I guess I've never felt quite as 'rootless' before (not a reference to part of my anatomy!) and was wondering if anyone else felt this way around the six year mark. I guess it might come sooner or later depending on the individual. Whatever....time for my morning stroll before the sun gets too hot.

[naturegirl321]

One of the teachers I work with has been in the Biz for six years and has decided to get out. She wants to go back to the States and do cirucculum writing.

[PanamaTeacher]

Marco--I have been in this apartment 5 years and I have had the same car for 5 years and I hate them both. One thing about living here is that it is hard to change anything, costs too much. Maybe HK is like that because you are isolated geographically (are you?). Anyway I am determined to either move or get a new car next year (if the job comes through). Maybe that is a six-year syndrome. I know there is a seven-year itch in marriage.

[Marcoregano]

PT....Yes you're right in a way....HK has become a drag in some ways...it's very small and becomes rather claustrophobic for an expat after a few years. However, as you say, moving on requires a lot of energy and expense and we do have a lovely apartment here, sea view and all that. And HK always holds out the possibility of making a buck if you can just figure out how. So HK it is - for the forseeable. Anyways, I'm curious as to why a man of your talents chose Panama? Sounds like 'Graham Greene syndrome'. BTW....The Power and the Glory....an excellent novel for that part of the world, if you haven't read it already.

[PanamaTeacher]

I was in the Army years ago; there were bases here. Read about panama if you wish:


http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/47/Living_and_Investing_Panama.html

And you Marco, why HK.

[Marcoregano]

Making a long story short.....After 2 years in Korea we were getting bored...loved it there but it had become too isolated once the novelty wore off. My girlfriend got a good job in HK and I followed her, attracted by the bright lights-big city, and the extra work possibilities....

[PanamaTeacher]

Cool. Where is your girlfriend from? Are you both strangers in a strange land? Does she also teach? I want to marry a math teacher, so that she can give math classes to my students.

[Tong Dawei]

Hey Marco,

With all of the changes going on in and around your neck of the woods(and the world for that matter), I imagine that there are several opportunites for you to become involved with some occupation, avocation or hobby that would put the twinkle back in your eye. intercultural liason of sorts, international relations agent of sorts, business... I think with your life experience the list of possibilities would be a long one. With these types of work environments there will always be something new for your senses to graple with contrasted to the daily routine in the class room IMHO.

Heck, even getting out of bed in the morning sometimes takes "a lot" of energy. Try expending some time and effort in exploring the other avenues out there.

[Marcoregano]

Hey Tong, thanx for that but as I mentioned above somewhere I'm not washed up quite yet....made the original posting on a black-dog day and wondered if anybody else out there was having a bad one. Yes, one of the reasons I came to HK and will stick it another year or two yet is that it is a place with opportunities. TEFL keeps the wolf from my door but I will continue doing freelance writing and have a publication project on the go with a couple of pals to attend to when I get back from my hols. Whether it happens or not who can say but as you imply you have to stay on the move to keep in the groove. Cheers all and hasta la vista.

[Lynn]

Marco,
I completely feel for you. I'm 28 and with the exception of a few odd jobs here and there, teaching ESL has been my carreer. I also get burned out. This summer I decided to work at a camp for inner-city at risk New York City boys So, now I am in the mountains, fumbling my way to a bug infested toilet in the middle of the night with my flashlight, trying to figure out what I want to do once summer is over. I have also thought of getting out of the TEFL feild....but to what?

You are not alone.

[richard ame]

Hi Marco
Just thought I had a word or two that may help you put things into perspective .I've being in Turkey for almost 9 years and it was a lot sooner before the mindset you speak of set in ,I had to make it work there is no going back for me and my other half the thought sends a ripple of fear down my spine I hate some mornings getting up ,the heat ,the noise ,the smells ,not to mention the daily grind of having to confront hostile students and so -called collegues everyday ,you get self doubt its only natural so you have to make plans goals and plans for yourself something that makes it all the more worthwhile and even achieveable. Someone mentioned about a change of car or apartment why not both or get a place of your own not a rented one ,being able to travel and explore different cultures and learn other languages are usually why we decide to do what we do ,think about it ! No one said it would be easy or things would change quickly ,but sit down and think about your options and where you want to be in say 5 years or even 10 and start to make it happen . We all have dark dog days rise above them and remember and repeat the good days .