Job Discussion Forums

[jserio]

Hi Everyone. I have no ESL certificates. I have an MPA. I left a good job in IT because I was not happy with my life. I wanted to be more of a public servant (hence my MPA degree). Unfortunately, public sector jobs in the states were very limited so I decided to give teaching a try. Deep inside, I always wanted to be a teacher.

I spent a year in Georgia. I'll leave the discussion of the actual program to the jobs boards (you can PM me any questions if you wish). I can say that my experience was very enjoyable and better than most. I had a good host family and lived in a city as opposed to a village.

I returned home at the end of June and since then I feel like I have been in a funk that I just cannot shake. I'm staying with family right now, have no desire to find local work. I do wish to get my TESOL so I can go on a new adventure.

But while my body is in America, my mind is thousands of miles away in Georgia. I just can't lose my desire to return. Before you ask, I am trying to, but I don't think it will happen until Jan. School started there on September 15 and since then I have been even more depressed, knowing that I am not there with them.

When I first went to Georgia, I vowed to stay professional and distant from students outside the classroom. But in that country, it is easy to get close to them (hang out after school practicing English, go to their homes for dinner, go to the beach, etc). As a result, I formed strong emotional connections to many of them. I believe this is the root of my depression. Knowing that they are "moving on without me." It's worse that some of them have befriended me on Facebook so it is impossible to "forget" them. I suspect ALL teachers (not just ESL teachers) experience this problem sometime int heir careers.

I guess my question is... are my feelings normal? Is it normal to be depressed and "out of touch" when you leave a school/country? Is it common to become emotionally attached to your students? What are things you do to overcome these feelings?

Thanks for reading.

[nomad soul]

Jserio, you're most likely going through reverse culture shock---that is, the experience of returning to your own culture, which, for some, can be a major, traumatic readjustment. (It took me two months to readjust to being back in the US after my last stint overseas.) For some basic insight on reverse culture shock, check out Dealing with reverse culture shock at http://articles.cnn.com/2010-08-24/travel/cultural.reentry_1_peace-corps-volunteers-culture-shock?_s=PM:TRAVEL.

[sparks]

Really, If you like Georgia so much, why not go back in January? Lots of people on this forum went somewhere, liked it, stayed for a year or two or ten, moved somewhere else stayed/moved again. It's your life. Maybe you will come to regret your decision but you'll never know if you don't go.

[spiral78]

MOD EDIT

Ignore. There are always a few people around who take pleasure making EFL out to be -------------------(fill in the blanks with whatever collection of ugly and negative adjectives you wish).


I, too, have been unable to return to the country I am originally from - for the past 14 + years!! I've basically written the idea of ever returning off, in my case, though I realise that's an extreme that not everyone will reach.

My only questions in your case would be - do you miss the people more, or the experience/new lifestyle/etc? The problem is that Georgia for the long-term would be a bit of a dead end financially speaking, though I agree with sparks that you should certainly go back when you can, even if you are there only for another short-term stay.

If it's the lifestyle, teaching, and other aspects that you really liked, why not continue to boost your qualifications and experience and try somewhere a bit more lucrative next round? Maybe you'll want to make a career of EFL. Maybe not - but it probably can't hurt to give it a try.

[Glenski]

Yes, your feelings are completely normal. It's called part of reverse culture shock.

[denise]

MOD EDIT

I agree (as I always do with spiral78!). But it sounds like you, the OP, already know not to be dragged down by the negative elements in the field!

One word of caution, though... if you do go back, keep in mind that things might not be the same. That group of students will have moved on, and while you may still keep in touch with them and socialize with them, if your next batch of students (and colleagues, depending on your relationship with the last batch) don't live up to your first experience, you might be disappointed.

And I agree that your feelings sound normal. January isn't that far away, and I wonder if the nearness of your return is affecting you... like you want to be there now but still have a few months to wait. Hang in there!

And some "planning for the future" advice--by all means, get certified, and if you really do have a passion for teaching, look into MA programs. The more qualified you are, the less likely you are to be stuck in limbo.

d

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

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[GMark]

I agree with Denise (who agrees with spiral78). Be careful about going back, things may be quite different there for you the second time. I suggest getting a TESOL qualification and striking out somewhere new.

[jserio]

Thanks for all of your replies. I thought about reverse culture shock - and maybe it is - but it seems more extreme than that. Maybe I am just "living in the past" and need to live in the present and look forward. The funny thing is, in Georgia, I did not experience strong culture shock. The only time stage 3 got to me was at the end of my stay (mid-May) when I was just frustrated and probably feeling anxious that I was leaving.

[nomad soul]

Jserio, reverse culture shock can be extreme, even for some seasoned travelers who think they've prepared for the experience before returning to their homeland. Anyway, setting a plan---big or small---for what you want to do next in life will be a first step towards normalcy. What's yours?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Reverse culture shock is usually described in four stages:

Stage 1 - Disengagement. This stage begins before you leave your host country. You begin thinking about re-entry and making your preparations for your return home. You also begin to realize that it's time to say good-bye to your friends abroad and to the place you've come to call home. The hustle and bustle of finals, good-bye parties, and packing can intensify your feelings of sadness and frustration. You already miss the friends you've made, and you are reluctant to leave. Or, you may make your last few days fly by so fast that you don't have time to reflect on your emotions and experiences.

Stage 2 - Initial euphoria usually begins shortly before departure, and it is characterized by feelings of excitement and anticipation - even euphoria - about returning home. This is very similar to the initial feelings of fascination and excitement you may have when you first entered your host country. You may be very happy to see your family and friends again, and they are also happy to see you. The length of this stage varies, and often ends with the realization that most people are not as interested in your experiences abroad as you had hoped. They will politely listen to your stories for a while, but you may find that soon they are ready to move on to the next topic of conversation.

This is often one of the transitions to Stage 3, irritability and hostility. You may experience feelings of frustration, anger, alienation, loneliness, disorientation, and helplessness and not understand exactly why. You might quickly become irritated or critical of others and of your country's culture. Depression, feeling like a stranger at home, and the longing to go back abroad are also not uncommon reactions. You may also feel less independent than you were while abroad.

Most people are then able to move onto Stage 4, readjustment and adaptation, which is a gradual readjustment to life at home. Things will start to seem a little more normal again, and you will probably fall back into some old routines, but things won't be exactly the same as how you left them. You have most likely developed new attitudes, beliefs, habits, as well as personal and professional goals, and you will see things differently now. The important thing is to try to incorporate the positive aspects of your international experience while abroad with the positive aspects of your life at home in your native country.

(Source, edited from: http://www.studentsabroad.com/reentrycultureshock.html)

[daveeslcafe888]

Was this program through Footprints?

In my subjective experience, they were very unprofessional.

(i.e. my first interviewer could not understand even basic turns of phrases in English, did not know my school, etc.). Knowing that I was a good candidate for the job, I called the owner and appealed the decision. Within 2 hours of another basic interview, I was offered a job.

While I would like to teach in Georgia, I wonder how much I can really trust Footprints.

[scot47]

Various forms of mental illness are common on returning "back home!" after a longer stint in ther Big Bad World. Not just in EFL. Common to many "expatriates" who try to fit in back where they came from.

[globalcitizen1968]

You'll be fine! It just takes time to get back into the swing of things! Work on getting a masters in teaching and teach in your home country. Probably more money and stability as well.

[jserio]

[jserio]