Job Discussion Forums

renzobenzo1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 85

Is it normal to get this in your first year of teaching in various places in asia? so far i've been to korea, philippines, hong kong and now taiwan in just over 10 months and it's taking a toll on me now. I've been teaching English ofcourse and now my mood is affecting my performance and it hasn't been getting better.
So I guess I'm asking what the cure is?
I feel homesick too.
Should I just go home to my country for a while and get some home comforts and peace of mind?
Is this a normal feeling after being travelling for a long time.
Friends/food/fun/ nothing helps....i just wake up not wanting to be where i am anymore.

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

I don't mean to be unkind, but if you've taught in four countries in ten months, there is something wrong. It sounds like you're not so much a teacher as a wanderer. Of course you're bound to feel alienated because you never give yourself enough to time to settle into any one place and culture. Yes, perhaps you should go home.

renzobenzo1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 85

sorry korea for 9 months teaching, 2 holidays in PI, visa run for a week to HK, now working in Taiwan for 1 month.

I guess what I mean is is it natural for your first 'journey' to feel that way by the end of it, then you go home and reembark and try it again, or are some people just more hardened and can go for years on end the first time!??

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I left the States over 10 years ago and have zero desire to go there (duty visits only).

But I think a few things make a big difference:

1) I truly enjoy the cultures I've lived in
2) I have friends among the locals (real ones, not just drinking buddies)
along with friends from other native-English speaking countries
3) I never lived out of a suitcase - I've made an actual home out of each
location.

However, from the little I know of Korea, I think it might be very difficult to achieve any of the above there, for me, at least.

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

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

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time. Maybe this job/lifestyle just isn't for you. And I really don't mean that as a criticism at all. If you're really unhappy I agree that you should go home. Don't worry about whether/when you'll set out again. If you go home, you'll know soon enough whether or not you want to stay there.

d

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

What you are experiencing is normal. Even those who think that this "job/lifestyle is for them" go through ups and downs. Hang in there. Perhaps, try doing something new, random, like going for hike/walk.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject:

Don't you have any interests in the cultures or languages of the countries you're visiting? Having a hobby or two along such lines (martial arts, calligraphy, cinema etc) might help you settle in a bit more.

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

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

A lot might depend on your job. I left Peru because of mine, but now I'm back and hoping to find a good one, either stick itout for the severance pay or look for a new job.

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

johnslat · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject: We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto

Dear renzobenzo1,
I spent over 20 years in EFL, in Iran, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. I had one particularly "bad patch" in Saudi when I would go out on the balcony, look down, and be tempted (I was on the 5th floor.) And that was when I'd been in EFL for quite a while already. It passed, thank God,
But I'm afraid all this anecdotal evidence of other people's experiences may not be of much help to you. We're all such distinct individuals that one person's experience, even though it may mirror yours in the feelings that were felt, isn't all that reliable an indicator of what would be right for YOU.
Having said that all this advice may not be of much help, of course now I'm going to give you some. I think that perhaps you'd better "take a break". fall back and regroup, and see what a little time back home does to/for you. After a while, you might have the hankering to hit the road again; on the other hand, you might put away those suitcases for good. There's really no way to know for sure; everybody's different. But rather than hanging on when you feel as you do, I'd say a trip back home would be the better choice. Then, when you've been back there for a while, you'll likely know for sure whether the "nomad" life-style is for you or if, like Dorothy, you realize that "there's no place like home."
In any event, all the best, and please come to these boards if you're feeling too despondent. Talking, even at long-distance, can help a lot.
Regards,
John

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

The secret to this game is get a decent day job then socialize with the local people. Help people with their English for free. Take our turn to pay for outings with local staff members and friends. Put effort into your teaching and prepare well. A taker gets nothing so be a giver and you will have a good time