Job Discussion Forums

[tedkarma]

I'm half with Anda and half with the others who say go now.

If you just tough it out a few more years and get that qualification - you really will be set to do this kind of life from the upper echelons rather than from the middle.

However, if you truly believe that you have the discipline to return home and do it after a couple years overseas, then go for it. But do be honest with yourself. A lot of people make those promises and never go back.

I suspect though, since you are still young and had the discipline to start and finish your graduate program, that you will be straight with yourself and return for the qualification if you decide that is what would work for you.

You may well find that you don't like teaching children and thus don't want to work in international schools. I have an M.Ed. and no certification (well . . . had one in adult education) - but I NEVER wanted to teach kids - of any age. The teaching kids notion is an important one to sort out as it can determine your long-term career path.

Teaching at universities overseas can provide a pretty good occupation just short of the international school route in terms of long-term benefits.

It is a great life and a great lifestyle. I first headed overseas at age 39 and have never looked back - now at age 56.

On second thought - just go do it.

You never know when these type things might just slip away and soon you are a drone with an SUV, mortgage, 2.2 kids, a huge amount of debt, high blood pressure and chest pains . . .

Hurry up!

[Glenski]

Financial concerns are real ones. You should go somewhere, anywhere you think you can succeed or have a good experience, but you should also be absolutely certain you have enough money in your pocket for a return trip, whether for emergency at home or emergency to get out of some situation in that other country.

Many people think TEFL life is for backpackers, and their image of such people is not good. You won't do much to dispel that, other than to talk about what you are getting into as professionally as possible, and with the knowledge of the situation based on extensive research.

"Oh, I'll find something when I get there. Many people do." = bad answer

"I've contacted ABC recruitment agency, which supplies Wannaspeakia with 70% of its foreign English teachers. Good outfit. Good reputation. They set up hundreds of people every year..." = better answer

For what it's worth, I changed careers at 40, and a few of my friends were behind me all the way, but my parents thought otherwise. I'd been to Japan on other business years earlier, so it wasn't like this was unfamiliar territory, and I'd even studied the language at university, so I wasn't incapable of some communication. However, it was hard for them to imagine such a switch and to such a faraway place. After the first year or so here, I was repeatedly asked whether I'd gotten it "out of my system". Well, it wasn't a whimsical thing to get out! I have remained for 8 years more, have a family here, have moved up the chain, etc. This is my home.

My situation may not be what you face. Doesn't matter. Plan for success, prepare for failure/emergency, and know that it will all be a learning experience nonetheless, whether you stay 6 months or 6 years.

[jm21]

Hi, first post here...still researching info so I haven't made a newbie thread of my own.

I'm similar to you, was very frugal (and maybe a bit timid), never studied abroad...whenever I was about to go on some big vacation to Asia or Europe or wherever, some more "practical" expense ended up taking precedence.

Now I'm just about to graduate from law school, went there because of the career (and a really nice scholarship) only to find I don't really like the work, and the public sector law jobs have lots of competition for low pay (lower than high school teachers in many cases)...I'm burnt out and want to go do something interesting and finally travel, but worried what it will look like on my resume if I postpone/don't take the bar, but it'll cost me about $6k to take the bar and I'm not sure I can pass when I'm so tired of school. I have more student loans than when I had finished college that I'd like to take care of (maybe work for a few years and get them down), even more family pressure to keep moving down a career path...

Or I could drop it all, secure a job teaching somewhere, get on a plane, and do something I really want to do.

Anyways, I'm rambling a bit...but I guess my point is, there will always be something that seems more "practical," or more "sane," or whatever terminology you want to use. If you really want to do this, put your foot down, give the normal career path the bird and get on a plane. Otherwise it will be one more year, then one more, then one more, ad infinitum.

If you work hard, like what you do, and continually seek to broaden your mind, money and a career will follow. If you stick with something you aren't enthused about, you're a bit burnt out, you're always wondering "what if," you will find yourself unhappy and doing poorly and not really getting ahead.

Now if I could follow my own advice I might be a bit better off .

[dakota29michael]

When you get all the negative voices going with family and friends...its all the more reason to go... Stay around...delay your dreams and ambitions...and you'll end up like them...trying to snuff the life out of a bright dream because they're envious...jealous...old...and too afraid to do something "different", interesting...and really cool...Go for it girl....!! If 23 aint the perfect age to break away and go for it..I don't know what is... And also... your plan has a great practical advantage...Spanish is huge... Proficiency in Spanish will set you way apart from any competition you come across when you return to the states to "re-enter." "Ouch....I hate that expression... Anyway.....that saying is true...there's no coming home.... Spend time in a foreign country and savor everything new and different and unique and beautiful...and you will never be the same...and also you will be less afraid..... You go girl !!!!!!!!!

[BTSskytrain]

leave the nest and forget the rest. 23? be your own person and make your own decisions.

skytrain

[notamiss]

[tedkarma]

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Money need not be a problem if you:
1) get qualified (you are doing so);
2) find a location you like/love;
3) show up for work, sober, every day; and
4) STAY in said location.
After that, the money will take care of itself.
Good luck!