Job Discussion Forums

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

I have read loads about TEFL etc and am really excited by the idea of doing it. It is the first thing to really excite me for a while. My question is this - has anyone else ever had to walk away from something or someone they care for deeply to pursue a dream and was it worth it?

Ta.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Yes, to both questions.

zaneth · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 6:17 am Post subject:

I'm currently trying to find a way back to what I left behind.

WorkingVaca · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 135

I left behind a secure "career track" that only caused stress and anxiety. Also left a boyfriend I loved a lot. The excitement outweighed the fear and sadness during the planning phases. Then, the sadness over missing my boyfriend overshadowed the fun I should have been having once I went overseas. Finally, I can say it was worth it in the end. No pain, no gain. I wake up happy and look forward to every day. I don't miss my old career AT ALL. And the LDR with the boyfriend simply withered away.

Celeste · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:36 am Post subject:

I left behind the beginnings of a career in the tech theatre and film industry in Vancouver. I followed my husband (an ESL/EFL teacher) to Korea where I also got my first teaching job. I missed the theatre and film thing horribly. After two years in Korea, I went back to the theatre and film thing and guess what? I hated it. It all seemed less fulfilling than the teaching I had done before. So I got a job at an ESL school and a couple of years later my husband and I went to Japan. We are still in Japan. We are going back to Canada in a year, but I am not going back into the entertainment industry. I am going to have kids and run a homestay and do tutoring when I can.

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

I'm currently visiting all that I left behind. Can't wait to leave!

Wink

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

As much as I love my family, the only thing I wish I hadn't actually left behind was my dog!!! Which is why I now have a cat...
But yes, I have left behind people too - my boyfriend for example, to name just one... But just like Hongkonger, I'd do it again twice over - I love this country!!!!! Very Happy

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

This ESL/EFL "career" means I know where I've been, but I'm not sure where I'm going.

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

We all leave some things behind. Some we miss for a short while, some we grow to miss, and some we're glad to be without. For me its my family, but I stay in touch by e-mail. The things: the books, the music, chess and even hockey, I have learned to do without (or less of).

mjed9 · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 242

I'll echo all of the above comments. It changes everything but I am so much happier now. As said before, now when I wake up, I don't groan about a 9-5 office job (and I had a fairly decent one).

Your outlook becomes so much more open. My only regret is that I didn't start earlier and I'm only 31!

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

My close friends & family are scattered up and down the West Coast in the States. So, while I do miss them, I missed them even when I was still home. As for jobs--no, I most certainly do not miss the office administration job that I got to save up money for my TEFL course! If I never have to make someone else's photocoopies, send someone else's faxes, and take someone else's phone messages, I will be happy.

I miss my home--California. I miss it the most when going to the beach here in my town in Japan and comparing it to the beaches "back home."

d

nomadder · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 4:16 pm Post subject:

I didn't leave much behind and when I went back I found even less. And it's true that sometimes you can't go back.

DJPinTO · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Toronto

[quote="denise"]My close friends & family are scattered up and down the West Coast in the States.
I miss my home--California. I miss it the most when going to the beach here in my town in Japan and comparing it to the beaches "back home."

Gee, Denise, why would anyone leave California? Most of us are seeking the type of climate, proximity to ocean, and diverse population that sunny Cal enjoys. So many of us head for Mexico or some other Latin American location instead. I'm sure you'll return soon after you get a bit of wanderlust out of your system.

zaneth · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2004 8:20 pm Post subject:

Maybe she was running from the tourists?

My own state of Washington is sort of a colder, toned down version of California. Being back now, I'm amazed at the cultural diversity, mountains and ocean so close together, and, in places, a very quiet. laid back lifestyle.

TGIAGOTOS.

Guest · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 1:06 am Post subject:

After 12 months of living in China, I returned to Australia to say my goodbyes to my three children, family, friends, and a partner of 5 years.

I realised from the moment I arrived here in August last year, that I felt at home here and it was where I would like to spend the rest of my life.
I am more certain of it in every day that passes. I have a very good life here and 67 children to love. The children now look upon me as Nanna and there is no way I can turn and walk away from them.

Leave my Partner and children has not been the easiest decision I have had to make in my life, however when you weigh up the 67 children who have nothing, against my family and friends, there is simply no competition.

I have no regrets about turning my back on Australia.