Job Discussion Forums

[AjarnIam]

I was interested in others people's stories about becoming ESL teachers. Did you make a dramatic life change, or had educating people always been your career, and only your location changed.

For me, I walked away from a lucrative career which had fueled a very comfortable lifestyle. Money was just always there in the background waiting to be spent, and never a concern. Then one day after 18 years of living that life, I said screw it, sold everything, moved to Asia and became a teacher. The BMW was replaced with an old pickup truck that argues with me every morning, and the pretentious condo was replaced with a very simple "local style" row house. My monthly rent is equivalent to what I would have spent drinking in 1 night at some flash club. I replaced my agonizing 90 minute commute to work, with a very relaxing 10 minute drive though a countryside of pineapples and palm trees. I spend every nickel I make now, and I'm far less concerned about what the future might be. Most importantly, I wake up smiling know this is what is about.

Interested to hear your stories...

[XiGua]

Since you have no use for money anymore........can I have some? You can feel happy knowing your money made me happy.

I just feel depressed after reading this. Must be nice.

[jdl]

AjarnIam,

Good for you! Enjoy life and the world, you have taken an opportunity!.......but keep an eye on that pension. Retirement age comes soooo quickly when one is having fun.

[tomstone]

One of the stories I always open with at the beginning of each term: "English is the third most widely spoken language in the world; English is the most complicated language in the world; but English is the most important language in the world. Why? MONEY! I'm not saying it's a good thing. I wish peace and love and understanding were the most important things, but unfortunately it just ain't true!"

Sounds like you've beaten the odds, my friend! Nice to hear a true success story!

[AjarnIam]

I wouldn't say it's a success story, I'd call it a different story. I think too many people complicate their lives far too much with material items, and constantly worry about financial security, meanwhile forgetting to live. I had a reunion with my friends from that material world about 4 years ago, and I was amazed that I used to be apart of it. All these comparisons of cars and houses, and speed boats, and lake side cabins...I just sat back and smiled. Saying that, there's a few life luxuries I refuse to give up, especially my computer.

[johnslat]

Dear AjarnIam;


" I wouldn't say it's a success story . . ."

Guess it all depends on how one defines "success." It certainly sounds like one according to my definition.

Regards,
John

[nickpellatt]

Well, its a similar story to many Im sure...but a failed relationship at 36 sent my on a short volunteer experience to Kenya....and I spent time in a primary school and loved it, but I always felt teaching was beyond me. Id looked into it in my early 30s, but it just didnt seem possible due to my lack of formal education.

After my 6 months in Kenya, and I didnt want to go home, and I found a 3 month volunteer program in Hainan, China and plumped for that. I then kinda realised that EFL might be the way to go, and that volunteer gig in Hainan led to a full time paid gig. I found that job late 2006, and since then have enjoyed 3 full terms in Hainan....3 summer seasons in England with schools there, and recognising the need for education, I completed a BA from scratch (with a focus on English language studies) and also completed a Trinity on the way.

Im now on another stint in China...and kinda see EFL as the way ahead for me long term.

At the time, I really, honestly didnt know how I would ever recover from the failed relationship.....now, it seems like the best break I ever had, cos without it, I wouldnt have enjoyed the 101 experiences I have had in the last 4 years.

Like the OP, I have moved my focus away from money, and have found happiness on 1/10 of the salary I used to enjoy.

[tomstone]

[AjarnIam]

One of the many things I find fascinating about TEFL is the ability to just to your job and forget about the race to the top of the mountain. I came from a corporate world where so called "friends" would stab you in the back the second they knew there was a new path to the summit. In my TEFL experience, there is no mountain. It's a nice feeling. I think TEFL is a much harder job than I had before, minus the stress, and yes, more rewarding, but not materially.

[tomstone]

[fat_chris]

Some measure success in ducats, others measure it in Ducati s.

Regards,
fat_chris

[tomstone]

Lot of ducats for a Ducati.

[AjarnIam]

[Hadit]

I've been unemployed for the last two years, and am trying to organize my move into ESL now. I had been practicing meditation and such my whole life, and being denied a menial retail job I thought I was overqualified for was so excellent a blow to my ego that it helped initiate a core spiritual experience lasting several weeks. I was also reading Nisargadatta Maharaj at the time; his book "I Am That" is the best book on enlightenment philosophy I've ever read. http://www.maharajnisargadatta.com/

There is like a dull world some people live in based upon ego desire and material gain, where everyone is pitted against each other. That's why I don't like capitalism, because it promotes such behavior, though admit I don't have the answer to fix it.

Anyway, I have seen first hand how wonderful being impoverished is for the ego. It forces one to live in non-attachment and to experience the real self, which is undefinable and unlimited, of complete joy. I am particularly keen on experiencing some Asian cultures with Buddhism practiced. I am curious if the aer is different there than here in the US.

There is an alchemical term I use to describe the difference in mind set. It is that the traditional Asian cultures are suited towards the "dissolutio" or solution of the ego to a great extent. This tendency is actually apparent in many religions, but it seems very pronounced in such religions as Buddhism and Hinduism (I am actually a Thelemite, a little known religion). I am hoping to pick up on the "dissolutio" vibe during my Asia experience somewhere, which I hope cleanses me of the aer of attachment that seems prevalent here in the US.

Does anyone feel their headspace change from place to place?

[tomstone]