Job Discussion Forums

[Cowpux]

I currently have a decent career in the investment world. I am not rich but could get there someday. The only thing is my life seems boring. I need adventure! I have always wanted to teach English overseas since I was 23 but I never got the guts to just go do it. Then when I hit 25, I got engaged with the wrong person and thought it would last forever. The engagement didn't work out and luckily for both of us we never tied the knot. I am now sitting here at 32 years of age and wondering if it is too late to do this. I have been admitted to the CELTA program at International House in Portland, Oregon. I enjoy my job and my life but I feel there is something missing. That would be the experience of living overseas and experiencing another culture.

Am I a little too old to consider doing this? Does anyone here think I am crazy? There is no wrong answer. I want to know what are some of your thoughts on my dilemma.

[elainenatal]

You're sounding a bit down at the moment, so it's probably not the right time to make a final decision until your thinking is clear.
You are only 32 years of age so why shouldn't you make a career change if that is what you really want. However, at the moment, it sounds like you are trying to get away from an unhappy experience in your life.
Get all the information you need and do some active research before making your final decision. There are lots of positives and negatives in the ESL/EFL field but no different to other jobs.
Someone once told me that when one door closes, another always opens.

[johnslat]

Dear Cowpux,
Here's the way I see it. If you take the plunge, well, you may be disappointed with what ensues. However, if you don't, you'll almost certainly always wonder, for the rest of your life - " What if . . . ? "
Oscar Wilde said ( paraphrase ): When I am dying, it is not those things I have done that I will regret so much as those I didn't do. " I'd say - Go for it.
Regards,
John

[Irish]

Well, if you're too old at 32, I'd hate to think that what makes me when I finish my degree next year at the advanced age of 35.

Elaine gave you great counsel--heed it. But, I have to ask, why teaching? It's not the only way to go overseas, you know. What are you passionate about? Are you just tired of home or is there some particular place that you're burning to see? What kind of "adventure" are you looking for? From the tone of your post, it sounds like you're looking for an escape and any place will do--not a good frame of mind to be in when looking to commit yourself to a one-year contract.

No, you're not crazy, but you've got to put some more thought into this. Simply moving to your dream location will not solve your dilemma--I have scientifically tested this principle on myself mutliple times. There's something bigger going on--if you don't figure out what that is and how to handle it, you'll find yourself experiencing the same feelings in an exotic locale. While I agree with John that taking the chance is better than living with regret, I also think you need to make sure that you're not just running from something. What are you running to?

Good luck.

[Shaman]

I agree with johnslat and Sunaru. Even in the disappointments, you'll gain experiences that you might not have had otherwise and these can never be taken away from you.

Regards,

Shaman

P.S. I started at age 31.

[johnslat]

Speaking of age, that reminds me - I forgot to mention that I started EFL when I was a very young ( well, it seems young to me now ) 35 - so don't despair Irish.
Regards,
John

[Irish]

Despair? No, siree--a little lift here, a shot of botox there, and I'm good to go!

Cowpux, I almost forgot...although you're not too old, there are some schools that only want fresh-out-of-college, easily-manipulated youngsters. If any school owner intimates that you're "too old," smile politely, pick up your resume, and run! Those are places you do not want to work. Rejection from them is a favor.

(Apologies if my first message sounds harsh--I actually think you'll be fine once you've got everything sorted out.)

[Roger]

It is not your age that's bothering me, you are not old by any standard, not too old for this profession. Or maybe, you are too young... not young biographically, but in terms of expectations on life...

It is, perhaps, your goal that's bothering me: teaching to experience "adventures"? What kind of "adventures"? Heck, teaching is quite repetitive and rather devoid of the unpredictable. Yes, all kinds of things happen, there are plenty of downsides and upsides, but "adventures"? The true "adventures" that do happen can be livelihood-threatening - the SARS in China right now, unscrupulous school bosses, laws that get bent into caricatures of themselves, politics - in short, much the same as in other professions!

So, if you still want to "teach", why not back home where the stale warmth is familiar?

[Celeste]

32 is a good age to go to a different country and experience what it has to offer. You have already been living away from your parents for some time, and know what it is to be self sufficient, to entertain yourself, budget your money and time, and you can generally feed and clothe yourself. (okay- I know some people will bust me for generalizing here, but with few exceptions, most 32 year olds that I know can do all of these things.)

The only down-side I can see to your going abroad at this time is the running away syndrome. When I used to live in Korea, I knew several people who had left their home country quickly to avoid dealing with the emotional fallout of a failed marriage, terminated employment, expulsion from grad school, institutionalization, drug rehab, and death of loved ones. After the newness of your surroundings wears off a bit, all of the emotional stuff that you thought you'd left back home comes crashing down around you.

Therefore, here is my advice. Get your emotional house in order if you haven't already done so. Do a lot of research about different countries that you might be able to find employment in. Get a bit of training. Learn a bit of the language. Save a chunk of cash for start-up costs and start the job-hunt.

I would give myself about 6 months' planning and research time before arriving in the new country.

[richard ame]

Hi
The age is important ,as you are finding out in your line of work currently that it's a young mans game ,however here in never never tefl land you 've only just started ,I think maturity and life experience is a valuable element for any teacher which most pre-25ers in my humble opinion lack so despite my less than helpful remarks to 22 year olds I think no you're not too old quite the opposite and the crazy comes later but that goes with the job anyway ,good luck .

[Cowpux]

I got a lot of great responses and I just want to say thank you! I do want to say as far as my emotional fallout from the broken engagement is concerned, I am ok. That happened 3 years ago and I am over it so I am not running from that by any means. I wasn't quite clear on one of my goals which is to experience another culture. I love America and some things about our culture. Some things leave a little bit less to be desired. I want to experience another world view for once. I am sure there will be things that I don't like elsewhere as well as things that I do like better. I just see the world as mostly one big beautiful place and it would be a shame not to see some of it!

[Celeste]

Sounds like you are ready to start looking for work. Do you have a degree? If not, your choices will be a bit more limited. Is there anywhere in particular you want to go? Do you speak any foriegn languages already? Do you have dual nationality with any countries? These are all things that will determine where you can go or might want to go.


Any other questions?

[Shonai Ben]

Just my 2 cents worth.
You are not too old by a long shot.I didn't decide to chase my dream until I was 43.I debated about coming to Japan but once I got here,I was happy that I took the chance.
There are no guarantees in life BUT if you don't try,there will come a day in your life when you will ask "what if.....?".When that day comes,it will already be too late.
Cheers.

[gerard]

I don't get why people are telling cowpux to slow down and "think about it." He says in his post he has wanted to do this for 10 years so-if anything- he should think less and get on with it. It is is not the old days where you need to spend 3 months on a slow boat to China and it had better work out. When I did this I hit a setback and nearly ended up back home on the same day I left. When you factor in the time change. Things worked out and if anything I wasted too much time before making the jump...

[expatgirl]

:sDear Cowpux

A few additional tips the others never mentioned, or to add to yours
1 - it is VERY important to get a world view outside of the US - you'll be amazed
2 - from years of travel (yes, I'm a vet) it's the Americans who seem to benefit the most from "other worlds"
3 - do the course, but as the other poster said - have it as backup
maybe you only need to travel, not work, or teach- it certainly isn't adventurous for a newbie - you can teach in Portland for that! The jobs for newcomers are usually demanding
4 -be careful of the "closed gap syndrome" meaning after your adventure in the world, on returning to Portland, you can't reenter where you left off in investment! Make sure you can, if you need to (through the same co. or contacts)
5 - many of us overseas now, could not return to a previous place of employ in a university or college - and get a better deal, or rank

However, once conceived, implement!