Job Discussion Forums

[StephPoet]

I'm at a point where I have NO idea what I want in life. I'm 26, single, a Irish/Hispanic American female, and I know I need to get out of a small Southern U.S. town.

I have so many real job offers I can't think straight, and time is running OUT! I need to apply for a visa IMMEDIATELY! I'm so frozen with indecision, I just can't see anymore.

China: Too many real offers to count, ranging from 4000-7000 RMB (with overtime potential) in everywhere from a "Kids Castle" to teachers and medical colleges, locations from Southern to Northeast to near Shanghai and near Beijing. Airfare: reimbursement only. Some offer one month vacation. Interest in Buddhism.

South Korea: Two offers: one teaching 6th graders (with a month vacation) one teaching a mix of people near Seoul. One offers airfare before arrival, other says they'll offer immediately upon arrival. Main interest: money. Sorry, it's true.

Ukraine: $200 U.S. a month, but filled with Peace Corps volunteers in my school. No airfare. Lifelong interest in Eastern Europe.

Note: SK is one year contract, most of China can be six months, Ukraine six months on.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DECIDE? I am torn among my interest in colleges and money and culture and don't know what to do!

[Glenski]

[StephPoet]

Yes, I have a B.A. in English.

I worked seven years as a newspaper journalist.

SK offers 2.0 million won a month...or $2000 U.S.

I'm just attracted to Buddhism and Eastern Europe.

Colleges just sound like interesting work experiences. The truth is, I don't even know that well what is for me. I've lived in the same area most of my life. No one I know has been outside the U.S. I've been to Canada and am going to Costa Rica this week for dental work, so that makes me a "jet setter" in some people's eyes.

[Chris_Crossley]

It seems that you are at the stage where you might be thinking that, if you accept one particular job offer, you might regret not accepting any of the others. TEFL is not the same as an ordinary 9-5 job back home. You are not shackled to it for the rest of your life. Perhaps there are a lot of people who feel that they may end up just as "shackled" to their jobs in TEFL as in their (unfulfilling?) jobs back home. However, this is simply not the case.

Each job in TEFL is contracted, so you know that each job will not last longer than a year. You can sign a contract in the full knowledge that it will end in either six months or a year's time (except for summer work, of course). If you then go and find that you find that it is not the kind of school that you would not want to stay at for a long time, then you can either stick it out until the end of your contract before moving on or else you can, if you find it just too excruciating to stay, decide to leave early.

However, be aware that, if you do leave a contract early, you may run into visa problems, because, in some countries, cancelling the contract may mean having the visa cancelled, too, and so you might have to leave the country immediately. In some countries like China, though, you may still be able to find another job if you are quick enough to get one. If the worst comes to the worst, you can always leave, but be aware that you may have to shell out for your own air fare, which can be expensive for a lot of people.

As for deciding where you want to go, you have to prioritize what you want to do. It is impossible to cater for everybody's interests in the same place. For example, if you are truly interested in Buddhism, then China, Korea and Japan would be good countries to go to and find out more. If you are interested in Eastern Europe, there are plenty of places in Eastern Europe you can spend up to a year in, such as Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic States.

The point here is that you need not feel that you will miss out on some of your priorities and interests by going to one particular place for a time. You can indulge your interest in Buddhism by spending up to a year in China, South Korea or Japan (as well as some other countries, of course). You can then uproot yourself and go to somewhere in Eastern Europe for another year. In TEFL, some people go to many countries. Some posters on Dave's may have taught EFL in up to half a dozen different countries on different continents (though I am not one of them, I'm afraid, as I have put down roots here in China).

As for money, you definitely need to look at your priorities. If you are free of debt, you can pretty much go anywhere and live handsomely on a salary that would be well above that given to the locals for doing the same kind of job. If you are not free of debt (e.g., credit card debts), you need to have a serious think about your financial situation. You need to ask yourself if you can actually afford to go abroad to do TEFL, because you don't get rich doing this kind of job, not by any stretch of the imagination.

Above all, put practical considerations (especially financial ones) before emotional ones (especially if you want to get away from an emotion-churning situation, such as being dumped and/or two-timed by one's former partner, and deluding oneself that going overseas can act as some kind of mental panacea, rather like "joining the Legion to forget").

In the end, you must make the decision as to what you want in life, but you may find that being overseas can be a breath of fresh air. It was for me, and look where it got me: a good career, a wife, a daughter, and a brand-new apartment of our own, something I had never anticipated having before I came out here to China in October 2001.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

[sigmoid]

If you're interested in Buddhism you might think about Thailand, but you won't make much money teaching there. You can get a job in a university easily, especially if you come here first. The next semester starts at the beginning of November. You will have to sign a one-year contract.

Of course, other Asian countries are also options for learning about Buddhism.

The Ukraine gig sounds miserable by the way.

Check out the other forums for Korea, Thailnd, China, etc. for more info.

[EnglishBrian]

If it helps you narrow down your choices I agree with Sigmoid. Cross Ukraine off your list. From what I know of the place and teaching there (second hand I add), and the way you described yourself in your original post, I don't think you'd enjoy it.

Something to bear in mind when you're deciding this. Unless you have previous first hand experience of a 'culture' in it's original setting, don't give that side of things too much weighting in your decision. The 'image'/'culture' of a place as it's promoted or studied abroad is often nothing like what you'll experience living and working in the country.

If you're new to teaching abroad I'd focus on places where you will be in a professional teaching environment, with plenty of support, working reasonable hours with reasonable classes and where you have an idea of the kind of life you'll be living outside work, what you might be doing and who you might be socialising with.

Best of luck.

[Spinoza]

[moonraven]

You need to realize that whichever option you select, you are going to be in very deep water.

Why?

I don't see that you have any teaching experience--which means that you are going to be 1) doing a completely new activity (one that is not equivalent to being a file clerk, either) 2) in a verylarge city where 3) you do not know the language.

For someone from a very small town who has no idea what to do with his/her life, that sounds like walking off a cliff to me.

Better hope that you are Wile E. Coyote, and that you bounce back after biting the dirt.

But Wile E. had a big advantage over you--he was a fanatic (his creator, Chuck Jones, defined a fanatic as someone who redoubles his effort when he has forgotten his aim)....

[Babala]

Ouch, that last post was overly harsh. If money is a big factor for you, I suggest you go to Korea. I have been in China for over 3 years now and I still love it. If you are intersted in Buddhism, it's a great place to be. I would suggest one of the bigger cities though if it's your first time away.

[moonraven]

That last post was not harsh--it is KIND to warn someone that REALITY exists, that it cannot be avoided for very long and that sometimes people simply bite off WAY more than they can chew--and pay the consequences of doing so.

[Babala]

moonraven, I beg to differ. The OP has shown a desire to teach abroad. You are right, she has no experience. Ask yourself how many other teachers have come to teach without having previous teaching experience. She is unsure where to go and is asking questions about different areas and seeking advice from seasoned veterans to help her make a decision. At she is putting serious thought into her decision. I have seen people who just decide to pack up and go.

[moonraven]

Right.

Opening comments about not having idea what to do with her life, and being so frozen with indecision that she can't see anymore--and in fact the overall tone of her post--a cry for help--seem to contradict your impression of her situation.

[dmb]

[Glenski]

[moonraven]

I guess it comes down to giving responsible advice--or giving irresponsible advice--and from whose perspective?

My perspective is that folks who have no idea what they want to do with their lives are better off sorting it out at home.