Job Discussion Forums

[nomadder]

With the world at our feet, literally, it becomes increasingly hard to make a decision about where to go next (not to mention whether to just stay put a while longer). I'm wondering how people have made their decisions about where to go. I had debated the Japan thing for years and then after a bad work experience I felt compelled to take the TESL course that my friend took. The school called me for an interview and I easily got the job. It was sort of a nondecision as after taking the course I wasn't sure what I'd do about it but once offered a decent job I could hardly refuse. Now I'm back in the homeland and debating different ideas. Made a move on a Mexican job which didn't seem quite right and luckily didn't pan out, just as a psychic predicted(don't scoff you sceptics). Another amateur card reader came up with the same-that I'd be here another 6 months. What? But since my decision making mechanism seems to be a little off this year, maybe I should wait a bit longer. Many friends this year also seem to be in a holding pattern. So how did you decide to go where you went? Fate or free will?

[thelmadatter]

a little of both. Actually Im better about things than I used to be. I used to think that I could control EVERYTHING that happened in my life. but my MA advisor told me to trust a little in serendipity. However to have luck, you need to make things happen. I may not make a particular job materialize, but I need to do things so that opportunities do appear.

[Shonai Ben]

Fate is what you make of it.Set a goal and work towards it.
Wait for fate and you wait forever.

[denise]

I've been guided by sensibility--rather than going where I REALLY want to go. Not that I haven't enjoyed the countries that I've worked in...

I ended up in the Czech Republic simply because I was interested in a TEFL program there, and I thought it'd be easier to stay there and teach than to pack up and travel around aimlessly in search of a job after the course.

I ended up in China during my summer break in my MA program because I knew that once I finished school and started having to pay back my loans, there'd be no way I'd be able to live in China.

Now I'm in Japan, largely (I shame-facedly admit... ) because it's one of few places that will allow me to live comfortably and pay back my loans.

I have enjoyed every place that I've been, and I haven't regretted any of the decisions that I've made, but I've always really wanted to go to South America. I'm not exactly sure where--just anywhere, really--except Brazil, I suppose, because I want to brush up on my formerly decent Spanish skills.

d

[Tong Dawei]

It sounds as though your freewill has won out over fate on the "should I go?" portion of your dilemma, cause you indicate it's just a matter of time before you go somewhere.

Maybe your friends are in holding patterns cause things are a bit up in the air at the present moment (i.e., economy, war...) Why is it that you say you must go somewhere? Do you have a travel bug, do you sense opportunity, looking for the alluring exotic man (joke), looking for adventure? Is'nt there a way that you and your friends, family, psychic acquaintance (reflexive scoff amidst hand muffled explitive "bullzhit!") can try to home-in on some of the major, if not the major reason/s for your want/need to schuffle off to somewhere? Maybe this exercise will bear some fruit, then you alone (or your psychic friend) can make the decision of where to go based on your heart. I hope i'm not coming off like typical male "gotta a problem?" "okay "here's how you fix it!". If it's adventure alone that you're after then let fate be your guide. If you are trying to grapple with your future development, point yourself in the right direction and jump. Keep an open mind once your feet hit the ground, and/or you have gone down the road a bit so that you will not exclude yourself from opportunities that weren't exactly what you expected.

In order to more fully address you question "what made me decide to come to China?", I will have to reluctantly admit to everyone on forum that it was not to teach conversational english (tremendous, almost thunderous collective gasp emanting from the peanut gallery), or to find a wife (hisses/boos and rotten tomatoes now being hurled in my direction). No, I wanted to learn the language as a stepping stone to become more fully involved in intercultural affairs (no pun). I'm kinda killing two birds on that note by being here, aren't I?

[Wolf]

Fate? Free will? Wyrd?

Both, actually. I decided to move to China because I wanted to get a different prospective on life (had lived in Japan for three years and was feeling stagnant.)

So I started looking for work on the net. I found a job in Dalain - had a tourist visa and plane ticket all ready to go. And then the company went out of business on Dec 20th. I was scheduled to depart on January 8th. Admist many prayers (but no psychics) I continuted my search - and found a low paying but really nice job in Jiangxi on Dec 24.

I chose to go to China to meet different people, start my MA, and have different expriences. Fate chose Jiangxi in a big way. And I was pulled out of a good city but incompetant recruiter to a direct hire at an honest uni but ... developing city. (Slowly finding its charms.)

You've got to apply your free will and go for what you think is right. Let fate handle the details, as there are many things that you won't be able to control anyway.

PS, speaking of fate...

I FOUND A COFFEE SHOP WITH REAL COFFEE AND IT'S GOOD! IT'S GOOD! FREE AT LAST!! FREE AT LAST!! THANK FATE ALMIGHTY I'M FREE AT LAST!!

[Roger]

Deciding factors that mattered in my life:
- No family reasons that block such an adventure;
- having a relationship or not;
- being interested in the society of my future host country;
- being prepared to be born a second time through trials and errors;
- not needing anything that you cannot get through your own efforts.

When I came to China, I had savings to last me for years on the road; luckily, I eventually was hired (but not into a stable job!). I did want to experience China, and I did experience it first of all on the road, long enough to decide me to want to be here as a wage earner. Initially, I thought it would be for two or three years.
It has now grown into over ten years, including 9 years as a teacher.

[Capergirl]

I'm a believer of fate. I think everything more or less happens for a reason and we are drawn in the direction that we are meant to go. I also believe that gut instincts should always be trusted...I've invariably regretted it anytime I did not trust mine. I'd actually been considering moving to England this past while (my daughter's father lives and works there) but my gut keeps telling me it is not the way to go. This time, I am going to listen to what my instincts are telling me. Japan is looking very possible for early next year but I am going to hold off on a decision until I feel sure that it's the right move.

[dduck]

I can't say I'm a believer in fate. I prefer to believe in instincts. I've always been a bit of a rover, perhaps even "the wild rover". I've lived in England for 8 years, but nowhere longer than 3 years. I've lived in the Netherlands and Germany. Gradually, I woke up to the possibility of teaching English and roving around the WHOLE world. It's really part of who I am. The rest of my family, on the other hand, haven't moved more than a few miles from their home. Whatever floats your boat!

I like the Spanish culture - I was studying Spanish for a few years even before I considered teaching, also I'm fascinated by the Japanese. China interests me, for one I love the food, but the stories about the langauge school over there really put me off.

Iain