Job Discussion Forums

khmerhit · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:56 pm Post subject:

Sacrifices?

Try leaving a kid behind.

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:09 pm Post subject: kid

definitely a sacrifice khmerit... I left my then almost-15 year old son behind when I came to Mexico and now Dad has custody. Fortunately, Mexico City is only just under 4 hours direct from North Carolina so he can and does visit me frequently. But I did try VERY hard for 9+ months to try and get a decent job in the States as to not leave the country at least until he finished high school. At least Im fortunate to be on the same continent as he.

But I believe the OP was talking about finding/keeping/losing a romantic partner.

Will. · Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk

There was this cafe I was in love with once. I still dream about the food there.
I guess we all have regrets about someone or something we should or should not have done/seen/left/married/ etc but we wouldn't be where we are now if we had not made the decision to do that which we did that makes us regret it now as the person/people we are...I think

MoniqueG · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:09 am Post subject: Portugal / CELTA

WOW-Great Post! I've just read most of the posts here. I'm 33, Canadian - living in Germany for the past 3.5 years, and I'm deciding today on whether to take the CELTA course in Lisbon starting May 29th for 4 weeks, or not.

I have the opp., to go home to Canada and start over again...recently breaking up with my 6-year relationship (boyfriend), but that would be the easy thing to do. I love Europe and would like to make a life for myself in another European country! I feel excited to take the course but have misgivings of the �4 week crash course� perspective and the amount of heavy stress that that all brings on! {�Being-nervous� stress I don�t do well with � for some reason��work-pressure� stress is easier}

Well, my question is, does anyone have advice re Portugal. {Also, re the CELTA course - is it really useful to a somewhat inexperienced teacher...} I will be in Lisbon, as I said, for 7 weeks and other than sending CVs to all the language schools, where would I do best to find work?
I�d need a work contract, as I am still a Canadian citizen for the work visa permission. I have no interest to live in Germany any longer, as the country and people aren�t my cup of tea. Rather dull and unhappy! Hence, Portugal!! I have a few relatively good friends there, in Lisbon, and two others in the Algarve so I�m ok if I need help with paper work etc. I hope to find a romance with a good, cheerful, loving Portuguese man. I would be interested to go to Latin America also, but have no contacts or friends in that part of the world. I have an A1 level standing in speaking Spanish, from when I was in Cadiz-Salamanca.

As for a romantic sacrifice, hmmm well, on my perspective I�ve already broken my relationship so I guess I have nothing to loose. My 'life' is here in Germany for the time being, but I wish to be in Portugal-Lisboa. Lisbon reminds me of my hometown Vancouver, but with MUCH better weather!
Any advice on where to look for work in Lisbon / Algarve and the CELTA course would be helpful,
T.I.A � Thanks In Advance,
Mapleygirl

Razz

[/i]

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Well, I went overseas not wanting to get married. And only want to adopt kids. Meet a guy a year ago and we've been married now for two months. Sacrifices? Yes, we live 14 hours away by bus because there are no jobs in this city for him. He left to live in a different city 1 week after we got married and see each other twice a month until I move down there in August.

UKscape · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 6 Location: UK

I sacrificed a relationship (in a werid kinda way) to do this. I haven't even done the course yet! THIS HAD BETTER BE A GOOD EXPERIENCE!

chrispy · Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Canada

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

MoniqueG · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 12:08 pm Post subject: Re: Portugal / CELTA

Hello Is650:

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

I know a guy who met another TEFLer in Korea and they are now happily married. A year now, I think. They're both Canadians. The point is that you might still meet the man or woman of your dreams from your own country as a TEFLer.
On the other hand, I went to China (from Indonesia) for training and to get some specific experience, and fully intended to return to Indonesia right after, but I sacrificed that to marry MY soul mate, who happened to turn out to be Chinese. i never would have met her had I NOT gone into teaching abroad. Think of that. If you're not in a relationship right now, it MIGHT be because you HAVEN'T gone abroad yet. Ever thought about that?
I had my heart broken a few times by my own compatriots before going overseas, but looking back, I'd say I was more or less doomed to bachelorhood as long as I was not happy in my own life. In other words, going abroad wasn't a sacrifice to me. NOT going, however, turned out to be.
You just never know.

MoniqueG · Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:22 am Post subject: meeting others like yourself

Hello Gregor:

Not sure if your responding to my post, or others, but.... you wrote:

chrispy · Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Canada

tedkarma · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 12:15 am Post subject:

Gregor has a good point.

When you are out in the world doing something you specifically like and want to do - you ARE more likely to meet others like you - with similar interests and ideas.

While you may meet fewer people - the pool has been narrowed to those with an interest in traveling, living overseas, and teaching. H*lluva good place to start looking . . .

Rin · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 173 Location: Doha

I'm going to try and say this without insulting anybody. Very Happy

Having been teaching overseas for the last two years I haven't found it too difficult to meet potential dates (till I came to the Middle East, which is another story, and no longer valid because I've met someone here) My problem has been with dating other ESL or EFL teachers. Sad

In my expereince, as a group, we are very transient people, and some of us have a hard time making a commitment to jobs much less to other people. Unfortunately there are those out there who are running away from such things as relationships and commitment.

This isn't to say that those people don't exist back in your home countries, but I think there is just a higher percentage of them in ESL/EFL.

The best relationships I have seen have been between an ESL/EFLer and a local or someone not involved in teaching English. Perhaps it has something to do with the importance of one person being grounded and stable? I don't know.

Personally I've found dating other ESL/EFLers a bit like walking through a minefield, you'r just waiting for one person to blow up. Or run away.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh