Job Discussion Forums

[apfennig]

I have always thought I wanted to teach English overseas and immerse myself in another culture and learn at least one other language. Making lots of money was never an issue to me and I always thought I'd be doing this in a European or Central/South American country; however, when the reality of my student loan payment hit this past weekend, (after first freaking out and thinking my dream would never be reality...!) I realized that I had two options:

(1) Leave my job and take another job here in the States, particularly in my current city, where I can easily make $10K-$15K more year than I make now....thus, no longer scraping to live, enjoying some money in the pocket to go out and possibly paying off my student loans earlier as well as save for retirement. Also, if I get on at a University I could have my Masters paid for, but I don't even know if I need it at all.

OR

(2) Leave my job and head overseas to Korea so that I could make a similar income to what I make now with some housing and flight reimbursement included. Plus, I could send back money for student loans and credit cards back to the States plus still have a decent living. Sure, I won't be out of student loan debt any sooner and I may not be able to save as much for retirement, but I would be teaching, learning a new language and experiencing a new culture; however, not the country I originally planned.

Do you think living and teaching in another country is worth it for the soul rather than doing the same ol' job thing here in the USA? I've always been one who wants to travel and explore the world and I just think that if I stay, even for $50-60K (it could happen!) that I still wouldn't feel fulfilled.

I just would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

[Glenski]

Lots of things to consider. Are you running toward something or away from something? (rhetorial question, ok?) If you just want to experience teaching for a year or so, then you have to think about what you're going to do when it's finished. That brings up a real question:

What is your degree in, and how had you planned to use it?

Some people take a "gap year" in their studies just to go someplace and have fun. You might say that about teaching overseas. Returning to a work environment may be a little tougher depending on the job and how employers back home perceive your overseas teaching experience.

You can get a lot of answers about whether teaching abroad is "worth it for the soul ", but that's a terribly personal thing, and only you can answer that after you've done it. You might get a bad position abroad; you might get a mediocre one; you might get a fantastic one. With so much uncertainty coming from your post, I would recommend thinking very hard about where to go. Try to determine what place and type of job would be the easiest on your emotional state and yet still allow you to make some money. Korea would not be my first choice, and if you know anything about that country, you would know why. Heck, even the Korea forum here is locked out because of a lot of complaints in it. Korea has a reputation for bad/unscrupulous school managers, and if you lose your job or quit it, you also lose your work visa there. This is not so in many (most?) other countries. Lots of xenophobia there, too. Can you hack that?

[Pollux]

It normally takes some qualifications to take a job somewhere. Before you quit your job and head out into the blue yonder you should think about what you can do. How about applying first, and if you get some replies, then your choice will be a bit more concrete.

[Guy Courchesne]

[JZer]

[tedkarma]

Personally, I think the transition is worth it.

But, if you intend to do it for the long run, a relevant graduate degree will help tremendously. In fact, it is almost a different career - it is certainly a different experience.

I believe that my financial circumstances are better having worked overseas - than they would have been back home. Uh . . . probably. BUT - positively - my soul is in a better place.

Since 1989, I have lived in Botswana, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. Almost a Ph.D. in cultures, languages and international relations. It IS a fascinating world out here.

[denise]

If you only want to do it for a year and you don't want to be limited to countries that will pay enough to cover your loan payments, you can defer your payments for a year. I'm in Peru right now, and I've just recently had my payments deferred. It's not something that you should do lightly, obviously (financial responsibility and whatnot...), but if you know in your heart that you want to travel, then it would be a shame to let money stand in the way when there is an easy temporary solution. (I say "easy" not because it's something that you should do on a whim, but because when you call your loan providers and explain your situation, the actual process of deferment is fairly painless.)

If you want to do this long-term, then the deferment option won't work.

d

[rusmeister]

Everyone has made good comments here. Definitely get out for a year and see a different part of the world. BE the foreigner for once. Be careful, don't do it to run away, but get out there for a bit. It's a life-changing experience (surely for the better). Once you live among a people and see their lives, it's a lot harder to talk about dropping bombs on them if nothing else.

[khmerhit]

[M109A3]

Apfennig,

If you haven't heard the sucking sound of all the jobs here going overseas, you will shortly. Since you are interested in teaching overseas why not take advantage of positioning yourself to transition into a decent overseas position as an "expert" for some multinational? I'm planning on teaching and moving up the educational career ladder. My wife is planning to get her foot in the door as a teacher and then move back to corporate business when the right opportunity presents itself. Those $60K jobs won't last your working lifetime here. BTW, if you get a masters you'll definitely price yourself out of the job market here but open a TREMENDOUS world of opportunities overseas you can't begin to imagine. It's happening to me.

[Mchristophermsw]

GUY---I love it! that is so classic.....The RED PILL OR BLUE ONE?

The reality is that most people never even stop to make a choice. They just play follow the leader and do what everyone else is doing.

apfennig,

At this point in your life, it appears you have nothing to loose if you try it.
Your student loans and Jobs will be there waiting for you when/if you come back and you can pick up right from where you left off.

But if you don't venture out, you may never leave other than a two week vacation. Which Pill will it be, RED OR BLUE?

As for me, I have lived overseas and I loved it! I came back to the US to take care some family obligations and pay off some debt but after that, I am back over seas to build my life. For me, there's a sense of peace and everything in my world just seems to have a better "fit".

But that chioce is easy for me because I have been on both sides of the fence.

As that 50-60K year job and retirement? That is not a bad deal--if that is the road that fits for you. I landed a job in the US starting at 64K and will be top off at 75k within 1 1/2 years. And trust me, after taxes, deductions for retirement, rent, bills and living expenses in the greater bay area, it does not get you very far. If you have children and a mortgage--pray to GOD that you never get sick or laid off--then you will be ruined. That's real pressa!

[newtefler]

Hi... I guess a part of your decision is based on financial security. There is no way I could afford to live where I do now on a TEFL wage. In saying that there is no reason why I couldn't have taken a year out straight after uni and eventually have earned the same wage and still be in the same situation now.. if I had allowed one year.. any longer you run risks of not being able to survive in your home economy. It all depends on your expectations.

[Mchristophermsw]

NewTefler,

Great advice but I just have one issue that I would like to add a different perspective to, you stated that ""if I had allowed one year.. any longer you run risks of not being able to survive in your home economy.""

The longer you stay away the harder the adjustment and it will take longer to make those professional and social connections---but it can be done. Keep in touch with people while your overseas--EX bosses, friends, faculty, etc. keep your thumb on the communities heart beat; send your network of people emails, cards from time to time.

These techniques will make it easier to transition back if you stay more than a year...err say maybe 2 or 3 years.

[JZer]

[thrifty]

Skills like drinking, miserliness and whinging it in class.