Job Discussion Forums

[Thel]

Hi,

I'm curious about something. Probably the single greatest appeal to teaching abroad is the aspect of adventure (maybe there are some rogues escaping their home country, others who find the money better in Japan or Korea, but I'm guessing the big thing is the exotic element). This is certainly the main reason we're going. I know that that sense of adventure will be there in the preparation phase and in at least the intial first few months (?) of living there. But can any long-termers tell me whether or not this feeling remains, if only residually? or does life after a couple of years become indistinguishable from life in your country of origin? Do you always feel "foreign" or do you integrate with the culture so fully that you actually feel Korean, Taiwanese, etc.? I ask because, barring deportation or death, we're likely there for good when we go. Glenski, if you're there, maybe you can speak about this; I've read that your a longtime resident of Japan.

Any information would be very interesting and appreciated.

Thank for reading,
Thel

[Glenski]

[thrifty]

YES

[naturegirl321]

YOu can integrate, but you have to make a real effort, especially with languages and customs.

[eslstudies]

[tedkarma]

I don't want to "feel" Korean or Japanese or anything else. I just want to be who I am - not be what I am not.

That said, certainly there are some cultures where it is much easier to fit in and feel comfortable. This probably explains the popularity of Thailand in spite of the poor wages on offer and the on-going visa and work permit mess for teachers.

I've been living internationally since 1989 - and still love the exotic-ness of it all. But, you do have to make sure and step back and LOOK at it and notice it - or you can just get stuck in daily living - just like back home.

[Thel]

Wow, thanks for the responses, all. An excellent palate of impressions, from the equanimous treatment by Glenski, to naturegirl321's optimism, to Thrifty's imperturbable resignation, and finally to TedKarma's happy, steadfast sense of novelty (eslstudies tosses in a crytpic post which meaning eludes me--care to share?). I think these responses run the gambit. Overall message? Like Glenski says, we'll always be foreigners, but at, as a couple mention, we have to adapt to the culture's customs nonetheless. Then it becomes a matter of whether remaining a foreigner is desirable or not. Since most TELFers seek adventure, I'd have to say it is desirable. Probably there comes a point for some when the desire to be fully integrated overcomes or competes with the desire for novelty. And then watch out for the frustration. Maybe that's why many people choose to return home. In any case, I prefer the outsider status, so these responses are actually encouraging to me.

In case anyone's interested, there's a piece below very briefly outlining Erik Cohen's categorization of tourists. Though there's much overlap between categories; and his theory is hardly unshakable, I still thought it interesting. This bit was provided by Brock Philips (1998) and is part of a larger article:



Five Modes of Tourist Experience

"Cohen�s dichotomy is based on the concept that �different people desire different modes of tourist experience.� These levels are ranked from the most superficial to the most profound, with an ascending progression from: recreational-diversionaryexperiential-experimental-existential. Classification is based upon the value of the travel experience in relation to the individual�s own world view. Equally important is the
individual�s location in regards to the ideological �center� of their home culture. For example, if travel is immediately relevant to an individual�s own self-definition, he or she will be affected strongly by it. Furthermore, if the traveler is already somewhat alienated from the �center� of their own society, the journey will have greater personal ramifications
for the individual.

The first two categories, recreational and diversionary, are typically illustrated in the context of mass, institutionalized tourism. Individuals that travel in this mindset are typically firmly located within the �center,� or norms of their own society. To them, the travel experience serves as a means of rejuvenation and relaxation before returning back to
their place at home. The experiences encountered while abroad have no personal relevance to one�s own self-definition, and therefore hold no potential for change or growth. In this sense, travel is a purely functional act in that it restores or offers mere amusement to modern man.
On the other hand, the final three modes � experiential, experimental, and
existential � typically require a traveler who is in search of something. In experiential travel, one seeks out �authentic� events and places unavailable in the home culture. Actions such as these are a means of living vicariously through the culture of others, usually due to some sort of dissatisfaction with the individual�s home society. The degree
of discontent can range greatly, from a simple belief that one must �experience other places� to a serious estrangement from one�s own society. The extreme end of the spectrum approaches the fourth category of travel, known as the experimental mode. Experimental travel requires an individual actively seeking out and testing other lifestyles and belief systems in hopes of self-realization. The conclusion of such a quest is found in the existential mode, when the subject adopts a foreign lifestyle more fulfilling than that of the home culture. These final three categories classify varying degrees of an experience that is transformative to an individual�s sense of self, and therefore more profound than that described by the first two modes of travel."


Other readings of Cohen reveal his claim that experimental traveller's do not "evolve" into existential travellers, but may remain in the experimental mode, giving rise to the ceaselessly wandering backpacker, or TEFLer, or traveller (where they differ from each other).

Hoping not to offend with some off-the-cuff labelling, I think TedKarma is of the existential type. And probably many or all long-time TEFLers who stay in the same locale are. I wish to be one myself


Thanks for the feedback. Please keep it coming.

Thel

[Thel]

Glenski says, "You just can't expect to live your home country life here with all of its morals and customs 100% of the time. Do that and expect a lot of misery and complaints."

That's a given. Probably the only really indispensible trait a TEFLer must have--presuming teaching ability--is adaptability. And maybe it's even this trait that surfaces and makes its need to be tested felt. Maybe this draw some people abroad--probably those who hop around from country to country.

The culture shock angle's very interesting. I read some excellent posts on Dave's about this. Seems like a vastly underestimated phenomenon by would-be teachers. The most exotic place I've been to is Europe, but it would be deluded of me to think that what I experienced there will resemble life in Korea (or Asian in general). Right? North America's kind of an extension of Europe not only historically but even in a contemporary light (or, in a contemporary light, visa versa; N.A sets the trends). I'm confident that we'll be able to handle the early transition without radical shifts in mood, or without become totally disoriented; but, probably most people thought the same before embarking. I guess it takes a long time before the tacit cultural rules are understood.

As for always remaining a foreigner, I think there are two sides to this: one is feeling unaccepted, mocked or at the butt-end of racially-based hostility. The other is the sense of being special. I've read that it varies according to country, but my overall impression is that teachers (particularly white (mauve or pink) teachers) attain a kind of superstar status.

Well, I'm all over the place here, so: exuent.

Thel

[Venti]

Once you settle into life in a foreign country you'll have to pretty much make a continuous effort to deal with all the things that irritate or frustrate you about life in that country while dealing with all of life's little problems (the same way you did back home) that come with living in anywhere in the world.

Some people can carve out a niche wherever they are and others find themselves suited to living in a particular country or town. Without experience, it's hard to know whether or not living abroad is right for you. Hoping to fit in and be able to remain in a foreign country for the long haul is fine, but banking on it can be dangerous.

[tedkarma]

My biggest problem with "Cohen's dichotomy" is that I don't consider myself a tourist or traveler. My home has been here on Phuket for five years and, most likely, will remain so for the rest of my life. That's the plan anyway.

I don't see myself as "passing through" as a traveler or tourist might. I am here and will stay here. This is my home.

I suspect many other long-term expats - also don't view themselves as tourists or travelers. Many of us are quite settled and have no intention of returning to our native countries.

Otherwise, existential is okay . . .

[dagi]

Yes, the novelty and the excitement does wear off. Once you have an established life you do develope a certain routine that can be similar to the one you would have back home.
I remember when I moved ten years ago and thought I was in one of Europe's hot spots. It was exciting and interesting, then I found myself trying to assimilate so I would not stick out which lead to great frustrations. It's a process you go through. At a point I realized that I will never be "one of them". It was also the point where I started to feel more confident, stopped being ashamed of the country I come from and just be who and what I am.
Now that I have left that country and try to settle in another one those experiences are of great help. Right now it's all a novelty and excitment but I am well aware of the next phases of "culture shock" that will hit me in a while.
Just that this time I will not even attempt to assimilate, only integrate and I won't try to become "one of them", cause I can't and I don't want to.

[dmb]

[denise]

The shine hasn't yet worn off for me. I am constantly amazed at how awesome my chosen career is. I tend not to stay more than two years in one place, though, so maybe that has something to do with it. I do my best to get out and see my community and my country (i.e., be a wide-eyed tourist) while at the same time establishing some sort of routine to make me feel at home--joining a gym, taking a class, etc. I take frequent day and weekend trips, but when I leave a place I always feel like the list of "places I wish I'd had enough time to see" has grown longer than the list of places I actually did see. I think that's a good sign--it means that the wonder is still alive and that I am still curious and eager enough to go out and enjoy my temporary home.

I've been in my current country/job for just over a month now. I am just now starting to see which aspects of the culture appeal to me and which ones I think will annoy me. I am also learning my way around my town and doing frequent day trips. It's a really exciting phase to be in.

I don't worry about fitting in because I know that I never will. I really believe that you can try as hard as you can, become fluent in the language, dress like the locals, shun other foreigners in an attempt to "go native", etc., but you will always be you, and the locals might never really accept you as one of their own anyway. I'm happy with who I am, where I came from, and what I've done with my life, and I have no desire to go native.

d

[Thel]