Job Discussion Forums

nomadder · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 1:57 am Post subject: Post TEFL Frustration/Nightmare

Well dear TEFL/TESL teachers,

I'm not sure where to begin but this is my story and I've decided it must be told. It could be a cautionary tale. It could be something that leads to suggestions-though my money is on the former. It goes something like this.

Once upon a time in a land far, far away from my native one, I was a TEFL teacher. I was in the flow. Things worked out. I had an apartment and a salary and autonomy and respect generally. I even had fun travel between jobs. All these were hard to come by at home which is why I left. The problem was that the position was isolating and lonely at times. I couldn't do all the things I wanted to due to cultural and language limitations, so finally I went home.

Silly me thinking things might work out this time. What I came back to were higher prices, higher crime rates, higher nay exorbitant rents(with no rent control), ridiculous university tuitions and the same pathetic job market minus any references as people &/or businesses had moved on. The same went for friends-gone. Parents lived in the country and had gone a bit loopier for it. This siblings had gone to the big city and had become as cold as the cash they were making-same for the former friends.

All my great work and travel experiences and references counted for naught in this land that was held back by a government stranglehold and pathetic economy that rewarded dummies who had never left or broadened their horizons yet had connections and the almighty local references. At this point I am equal to the immigrants though they might have more programs to help them-there sure seem to be more and more driving SUVs around town.

I almost went back overseas and was hanging around too long waiting for jobs that amounted to more trouble than they were worth. Overseas jobs went downhill in some places or were poor paying/red tape thingies in other places. Finally I decided I was getting too old to uproot myself again. Local jobs required more uni at ridiculous costs and with little guarantee after forking out all of that money. To do P/T on probation TEFL or TESL jobs required a minimum of $2000 though better to pay much more for the other courses. Only a few schools to work at in that field here. Tutoring led to some scary students from a country that can't be named which has temporarily(I hope) turned me off of teaching.

So finally got a few paltry interviews every few months for nothing special jobs-nothing panned out. Usually most interviews led to getting the jobs in the past. There weren't always the 3-5 professional references required for basic to average jobs-who are all these references even if you had stayed here as you can't ususally tap the company you're still at as you don't want them to know you're leaving. Do you go way back and as if they're going to remember or care. I was and am persona non grata.

Had another interview for a nothing type job recently but don't think it will pan out for reasons I can't figure out. Spent days on a CV for another job but I imagine it was one of those advertised yet already filled uni positions they often have around here. Even if not, doubt my overseas or old references will work.

Kind of at my wits' end. Could I really go back overseas again even though their currency and salary are so low now and my currency has gone up quite high? Put up with that again for much lower profits. I have things I like about here now that the reverse culture shock is over but without the job, what's the point in staying? Have things I like doing now that I gave up on being on hold and have taken some courses, etc. which I couldn't do overseas but don't want to eat up all of my savings. There are lots of things I want to do but without the job it can only last so long and with an acquaintance like social life I'm not much further ahead than when I was away.
Only parents left in the hometown(well near it)but what if I go away and they're gone by the time I get back? Come back to what? Well basically it's only my mom. She'll be stranded too.

The only thing I can think to come back to is buying a house to live in by myself and maybe somehow starting a business. It's risky to leave again and come back even older and more unemployable. I want to delve in to my interests for a little longer and jobhunt a little longer but sooner or later I'll have to make a decision. In some ways life stopped since I came back. Who knew so many doors would have closed? They say things should flow if they're meant to be and so far that hasn't happened here or in the foreign job hunt. Last hope-artistic pursuits.

Signed,

Frustrated in Frumptown

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Don't feel too bad, nomadder.

I went through a similar episode back in 1999.

After a year, I was on a plane bound for Chonju S. Korea.

End of story, basically.

Found my life again and learned my lesson.

Deicide

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

The same would be true if you had been a plumber for years then gave up plumbing. Changing careers is very hard. If you really want to live in your homeland (UK? Smile

) then stick with it. Have a think and go for it. It will mean re-training, but that's just what you have to do.

But it seems to me that your last TEFL job may have discouraged you unjustifiely. Next time don't choose a job that is socially isolating. Pick a country you love and give it a go.

I always warn people against teaching in a place where they can't save money, but life is also short. If the choice is between being miserable in England or living comfortably, all be it, pay check to pay check in say Costa Rica, then asta la vista baby, I'm off.

Good tale though and one that needs to be told and retold.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

I can't speak as to the U.K. (if indeed that is where the OP is from) but with respect to the U.S., time spent overseas is not usually something employers seem to get very excited about. I know I'll probably catch flak for this next statement, but really, from their point of view, why should they? Unless time spent abroad transfers into something that is going to make you a better employee -- and it's your job to convince them of this not theirs -- how are you any different from someone who decided to loaf around his parents basement for the same number of years?

Deicide · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:42 am Post subject:

The_Hanged_Man · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 224 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia

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

I'm guessing the OP is from somewhere in eastern Canada, though it could be many different places.

I hear your warning. I may be in teh same place myself soon, as I've decided to return to my 'home' country after four years of overseas TEFL. Will I have the same problems? Maybe, maybe not... I'm heading back 'home' with enough savings to last me a few months. If I find a decent job, great; if not, I guess I can hop on a jet and go teach in Korea or Taiwan for a year.

I guess I'll find out when I get there.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I've been away for 15ish years. Thank God I am happy here in Turkey and not wishing to return to the UK.

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I go back 1-2 weeks every year. But never feel I belong in the UK.... Alas I will always be a foreigner.
Ho hum...

Sherri · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject:

I lived outside my home country of the US for over 20 years. Now I am in Hawaii and that is about as close as I can get to returning "home". When I left you could rent an apartment for about US$200 a month and a 6-pack of beer cost less than $3, a gallon of gas costs $3.40 now instead of $1. The prices sure did go up. It took me a long time to get my head around it. Three years later and I still find myself underestimating how much things cost.

Others have said it before, but the key to a successful return to your home country is lots of planning before you go back. I made sure that I had an MA in TESL before returning so that I would be employable here. I also saved a lot, which helped ease the transition. You can just return and hope that magically everything will fall into place. You don't have to return to your hometown either. It is actually more interesting if you don't. I don't know anyone anymore in the place where I grew up, my family has all moved on and I didn't keep in touch with my highschool friends. That is the way it goes.

Nomadder if you want advice, I would say to slow down a little and take stock of what you want, and spend some time planning how to reach your goals.
Best of luck
Sherri

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:21 pm Post subject:

Wow. Hang in there, OP.

Remember the words of Winston Churchil- "If you're going through hell, keep going!"

For the rest- it probably does serve as a cautionary tale. But maybe not as bleak a one as some would interpret it. I've known a lot of people who "went home" after a decade or more of EFL, and are fine. It's usually a matter of planning and preparation. Investigate the market back home that you want to get into- and make sure you either have, or are prepared to get, what you need to make your place in it.

But that's water under the bridge for you- and there you are now. If you're committed to staying home this time, I'd get into some kind of job, probably entry level, and into night school. You need an edge, and it's never to late to start to find it!

Or if you're thinking of going overseas again, go to a high dollar country for a couple of years- and save the money you need to go home with the down payment on a house, or an MA, or both.

And hang in there either way!

Best,
Justin