Job Discussion Forums

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Ignored forever here as well. I am convinced that I can make it through the entire day at work and say nothing to anyone, such is the level of comraderie here, not that I would because I have a personality and I care about others.
Enjoy,
s

supervisor133 · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Australia

Even if things go disastrously for you, barring contraction of a terminal disease, you will never ever regret going to teach in another country. Yes it can be a bit tough initially but it can also be a great opportunity for you to grow beyond your comfort zone. There's no dollar value you can ever put on the experiences you will have in your first couple of years of ESL teaching. Enjoy yourself, see what you like and what you don't. See what works for you as a teacher and what doesn't.

You can always think of a million reasons to stay in your home country, but the hardest thing to do is say "I'm leaving". I'm sure you will do well no matter what you decide. Good luck!

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Badmotorfinger · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Belgrade, Serbia

As someone else said, don't be a wuss.
You could spend the whole rest of your life sitting around and fretting about all the possible "what-ifs", and ten years later the opportunity to go won't be available to you anymore and you'll spend the rest of your life regretting that you didn't take a chance.
No risk, no reward.
Having a positive attitude also helps a lot. You'll probably find that your fears or bad expectations will have a way of becoming self-fulfilling prophecies... Go with an open mind and as few expectations as possible, steel yourself for the difficulties you will encounter (and you will encounter plenty, make no mistake), and remember that learning to adapt, change and overcome challenges is what growth is all about. Even if you have a completely negative experience for 2 years, you will still learn so much more about yourself and life than if you'd just sat at home doing the same ol' crap for 2 years. Life is short, and then you die, so be brave, suck it up and follow your inspiration.
Pre-departure jitters are completely normal, it's always a scary experience knowing you're heading into any kind of unknown.
Just go, quit your whining and hand-wringing!!! Very Happy

Or don't, but you'll have to live with yourself afterwards... I hate using so many dumb cliches but everyone knows that whole line about regretting more the things you don't do vs. the ones you do...