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MsDooLittle
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 63
Location: somewhere else
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 Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Sounds like you are vulnerable to the 'stuck in a rut' syndrome... as so many of us are... so why not go somewhere completely new. Start again. You'll find something (or someone, if your eyes are open) good wherever you are, as well as bad stuff. There is bad stuff everywhere, the trick is to focus on the good stuff. Cambodia looks like a beautiful country, with a rough edge to keep you challenged and interested. Just a suggestion. |
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daniel_hayes
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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Cambodia might be the place. If I know Thailand, surely that will make me more comfortable in Cambodia? Obviously it's a different country, but same region, same religion, similar language.
I don't think starting my MA 8 weeks after I graduate would be wise. I would be running the risk of failure if i leaped in too quickly.
So, I would have a year to decide, get a CELTA, travel a bit, and get settled. |
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MsDooLittle
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 63
Location: somewhere else
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds good! However... my guess is that Cambodia is very different from Thailand. I've travelled a lot in Vietnam and though the landscape is picture perfect and very similar to Thailand, the people are very, very different. Absolutely charming on the one hand, but more cautious and private. Its been a difficult history.... which makes it all the more interesting a place to explore and discover in my opinion. Likewise, Cambodia's history has been turbulent, to say the least. Anyway, as Kermit says, try it and see, you've nothing to lose and so much to gain...
over and out... |
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daniel_hayes
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Time is on my side. I don't Graduate for another year. But I have to apply for MA by Jan '10. I like to have things burning away in my mind all the time. So that, when I come to decide, I have given it lots of thought.
If I get a First then the world's my oyster. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:20 am Post subject: |
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| If I get a First then the world's my oyster. |
When you get into the world of ESL, you will begin to realize how unimportant graeduating with honors is. Not to mention that knowing something about teaching and grammar is half the time of little importance. It may be the same in other fields. |
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Marcoregano
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 872
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:50 am Post subject: |
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I'm inclined to agree - unless you're staying in academia (ie. at the university level) or having a pop at the Foreign Service or somesuch fuddy-duddy outfit, degree level doesn't count for much in the big wide world.
Coming back to the OP - as it seems you can afford to take a year off without financial concerns, why not make a short list of 'possible countries/places' and spend the year trying them out, starting off with choice numero uno. |
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daniel_hayes
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:28 am Post subject: |
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| I meant: Getting a First would make me happy, show me that I worked hard and achieved my aims. Then, I could start teaching. |
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MDDude
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
Posts: 43
Location: Maryland, United States
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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| JZer wrote: |
When you get into the world of ESL, you will begin to realize how unimportant graeduating with honors is. Not to mention that knowing something about teaching and grammar is half the time of little importance. It may be the same in other fields. |
There's an old saying: "What do you call the guy who graduated last in his class at medical school? Doctor." |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| I meant: Getting a First would make me happy, show me that I worked hard and achieved my aims. Then, I could start teaching. |
I graduated magna *beep* laude. Maybe it was my job choices but it has rarely done any good. Not to mention that sometimes it is better just to be capable than intelligent. If you know a lot it is difficult not to rock the boat. |
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daniel_hayes
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="JZer"]
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| Not to mention that sometimes it is better just to be capable than intelligent. If you know a lot it is difficult not to rock the boat. |
WORD!
Does that mean you would trade intelligence for steadiness? I wouldn't. |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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Careful on all fronts.
It may be easier to have a comfortable life if you don't know much- but who wants to????
But let's be careful not to confuse graduating with honors and intelligence.
Einstein practically flunked out.
Best,
Justin |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Justin Trullinger wrote: |
Careful on all fronts.
It may be easier to have a comfortable life if you don't know much- but who wants to????
But let's be careful not to confuse graduating with honors and intelligence.
Einstein practically flunked out.
Best,
Justin |
It's a common mistake to confuse intelligence with education. Even someone of low average intelligence can get a college education and people with genius-level intelligence sometimes have problems with simpler things that most folks refer to as "common sense." |
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daniel_hayes
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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I'm no better or worse than anyone else. But, for me personally, getting a First would prove so much, make me so happy - satisfied that I tried my hardest, put in the work, had patience, and got the results.
It's a personal thing. A First would not particularly help my career. A decent degree is all I need for that. It's the personal satisfaction I'd get. |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| daniel_hayes wrote: |
I'm no better or worse than anyone else. But, for me personally, getting a First would prove so much, make me so happy - satisfied that I tried my hardest, put in the work, had patience, and got the results.
It's a personal thing. A First would not particularly help my career. A decent degree is all I need for that. It's the personal satisfaction I'd get. |
There are those who believe self-satisfaction is far more important than jumping through someone else's hoops. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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| But let's be careful not to confuse graduating with honors and intelligence. |
Very true. I might add that getting good grades in college may often just be a result of having the skill of giving the professor the answers he or she wants to hear. |
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