Job Discussion Forums

MdSmith · Joined: 15 Nov 2012 Posts: 67

Just curious, how many of you working abroad think you might return to live in the UK one day? (a bit like in the animal kingdom with turtles and salmon returning to their birthplace..)

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It never occurred to me that I would come back to Scotland in retirement, but I did ! Attraction is not the climate but NHS Scotland, and the prospect that soon we will throw off our colonial shackles. (Well, maybe.)

It certainly is not the weather.

MdSmith · Joined: 15 Nov 2012 Posts: 67

Ok, good reason.

In general, what about as a reason to return being back amongst 'your' own people, a place where you feel accepted etc.?

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

I left the UK in 2000 to teach and do other things and never imagined heading back there. In 2012, I realised I could do a lot better in the UK and went back. I love it. I'm near friends and family, just started a second business and play golf loads and loads, badly.

I was in Malaysia, Thailand, Germany and Morocco. I still love the first three, but I feel 100 times more at home in the UK. It's easy to live here, Europe is just over the channel and there's no language or cultural barriers or visa issues.

I'm in Malaysia for a few weeks now with my wife, who was born here. It's great to be back, but I'm an outsider with the locals and always will be. It's also a developing country, which is never going to develop in my lifetime which would've been a lot shorter if I'd stayed.

Living in a developing country if you don't have to is just wrong unless you’re a millionaire.

My wife sees that, which says it all. I know other people from Thailand and Malaysia who managed to get PR in USA, Europe or Australia and wouldn’t even consider moving back to their homeland. Why is that I wonder?

You probably won't be that surprised to hear I don't teach. TEFL is about travelling and gaining a few nice to have life skills. You shouldn't be doing that job from your mid-forties onwards. People will object and cite success stories, but you’ve asked for advice.

What’s the reason for the question?

MdSmith · Joined: 15 Nov 2012 Posts: 67

The reason I ask is because I am now back in the UK after working in a developing country although myself I never imagined coming back. But once back I have enjoyed being close to family and friends and the familiarity of home. I am considering a job offer abroad again but am thinking long term I might want to come back here. Being an outsider with the locals has been an issue I had previously and will likely be the case again. I imagine it's less of an issue if you work in Europe though. Where to put down roots is a question I'm asking myself of late as I enter my late 30's. I was just curious about the experiences of other teflers (?). Cheers

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I wonder how many Canadian long-termers go back to the wintry streets of 'home'? Maybe I'll make a poll....

johnslat · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 6:46 pm Post subject:

Dear Hod,

"You shouldn't be doing that job from your mid-forties onwards. People will object and cite success stories, but you’ve asked for advice."

As a success story, I object Very Happy

Regards,
John

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Hod reminds me of his idol Maggie who said that if you are still using public transport in your 40s, you are a failure.

I kept on TEFLing until retirement and I had an interesting time doing it. Being a pensioner is not a bad number either.

My first chosen career was to be a member of the House of Lords, but that did not work out.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Hod
You do not need an opinion. Your avatar says it all for you. Mind you it is an improvement on the mad Anglican vicar with the seasonal hat.