Job Discussion Forums

mrjack · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 65

to teach do it all again? are they happy with their move? I've just turned thirty and am considering the move. I'm single bored with my job(pe teacher) bored with the U.K. and the culture, but as my deadline for leaving approaches i'm getting very bloody nervous. Inspire me to take the plunge, if you can!

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

Hi mrjack,

I can't say I've exactly been in your exact situation. But I have worked in ESL for 20 years in my home country, making very little money, enduring the endless taunts amd criticisms of friends and family, "When are you going to make some REAL money?" "When are you going to get a "real" job?" "When are you gonna get a job with benefits?" "You know we can't survive much longer on your "salary.""Other people work 8 hours a day--why don't you?" Stuff like that.

I stuck with it. I could've got a better paying job, I suppose, but I decided I didn't want some soulless job in a cubicle with benefits like everyone else. I guess it all boils down to:

What do you want to look back on?
What is important to you?

For me, a life of adventure and cross-cultural experiences, sampling new foods, hearing different languages, getting acquainted with different cultures,and travel was what was important. Money, benefits, a retirement account are also important, but it seems you could only get those if you sold your soul to some sort of corporate, cubicled, unimaginative job somewhere.

When I reach the end of my life, I'll very happily look back on my career in ESL. I may not have a lot of money or a big, fat retirement account. But I wouldn't trade some of my experiences in the ESL classroom, at ESL potlucks,relationships with students and other teachers etc. for all the diamonds in Africa!

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

BTW, the title of this thread sounds like the name of a Kipling short story, now! Laughing

eslHQ · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 43 Location: Korea

It will change your life! How? That's up to you and how you approach each situation. Do you try to learn from your experience or do you get upset/confused/on a plane?

That being said I ALWAYS feel nervous about picking up and leaving and i think that is a natural feeling. I've been nervous before taking a 3 week vacation in Europe ??? Go figure?

One reason I haven't left asia is because it is always exciting. Things that are easy and boring back home (visit to the bank, eating out, drinking with friends, etc...) are much more exciting in a new culture. I find myself always challenged (in good/bad ways) and always learning! I've learned so much about myself living abroad.

If you want to spice things up, come to asia for a year. If you get your fill then you just go home when you are done. If you hate it, go home. If you like it, stay. But no matter what happens it WILL be exciting and you WILL NOT be bored and you will learn, if you travel with an open heart.

Happy Journeys!

James_T_Kirk · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 357 Location: Ten Forward

FloridaTEFL · Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 66

mrjack,
I can completely relate to what you're going through. I will be turning 30 in a few months and I have found myself very bored here in the US while working in my cubicle to make others rich. I also feel that at age 30, going abroad like this is more risky as far as finance/career since I'm not exactly 19 anymore. But I'm hoping to go to Korea this fall/winter since I do have a genuine interest to teach so that helps.
I do get nervous though... I mean, am I just a transient with no life goals? Will I wander forever? Am I doing this because I have nothing else going on in my life? Or is this adventerous side of me something I should embrace? Then again, is it irresponsible?
I would imagine many on this site go through this but obviously these are questions we can only answer for ourselves. However, I would encourage you to go... its one year and it might just be the best thing you ever did. Good luck.

scott14 · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 50

This is coming from someone who got divorced, resigned from government and sold everything else at 30 and is still loving teaching ESL abroad at 35.

I've been to seven Asian countries, some 5, 7, 9 times, not counting the three I worked in. I'm off to South America in two months to continue terrorising the women and children.

The experiences and countless women here have enriched my life and pockets.

Don't hesitate, or you may not do it.

You might also then spend part of your days wishing you had been more adventurous, or even worse, regretting your inability to seize life's opportunities.

The sooner the better.

No regrets here!

Good Luck

mrjack · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 65

After dithering and dallying for nearly a year on this I'm now going to roll the dice and see what happens.

I cant really loose in the name of adventure and experience.

I CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER TO UNFOLD

Travel Zen · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 8:40 am Post subject:

I would suggest either Korea or China for adventure.

You will prolly find a few chioces for your wife-e ! Western guys get mugged by women here.

I just flash my Canadian passeport, and all of the sudden I'm the flavour of the month. More so in China than elsewhere.

Sound pompous, but it is entirely true. Asia is adventure.

mrjack · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 65

I have been to Myanmar,Thailand, Cambodia,Laos and Bali and have come to the conclusion that any girl met in a bar or tourist area is not worth it, that may be a bit harsh but it IS how I conduct myself. Experience has taught me that.

I would be interested to hear what others think.

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

I've been happily married for nine years to a woman that I met in a restaurant in Thailand. But although there were quite a lot of expatriates in the town where we met, I don't think the area could have been thought of as a tourist area.

cujobytes · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 2:41 pm Post subject: >

mrjack · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 65

Have just scored a Job teacing P.E. at an International school in KL. A big thankyou to everybody who took the time to reply to my post. Thanks for the inspiration.

micropiglet · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:48 am Post subject: Taking the plunge

Good for you!
I am 41, and completed my CELTA training several years ago. I have worked as a counsellor/psychologist for many years, and spent several years travelling Asia in the past. I have always ended up going home, sooner or later, and regretting it. I 'took the plunge' six months ago, and moved out to Kuala Lumpur, to take up a post, and haven't looked back. I gave up my career, home, and material things. I brought my wife with me (and proved it can be done with the wife in tow!) Sure it was scary, but as many have already said, life happens but once. I feel completely liberated and excitied that I can quite literally travel the world in this field.
Fear kept me from doing this for many years.
Now I am free (relatively speaking....) Smile