Job Discussion Forums

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

While this is mere theory and I am not planning to move on yet. I was wondering what it has been like for others when they left the first country that they taught EFL in. I lived in Germany before but will probably end up spending 4 years here. What is it like moving on after spending 2+ years in the same country?

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

I moved away from the Netherlands after I had lived there for 11 years. It was very, very difficult although I did want to move away. Never had the intention to stay there forever, never really got to like the place, either.
After such a long time you get very settled, speak the language, know your way around, you created your niche and wether you like the place or not it becomes your home.

Moving a away was something I wanted and after such a long time I knew I either had to leave or I would get stuck there forever. The longer you are somewhere, the more difficult it becomes to leave.

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

I seem to move on after 2ish years (with only 16 months in South America because of my debts...). I imagine it's easier than moving after 11 years, as dagi did. Still, there is a certain level of anxiety--the "what now?!?!?" factor. Obviously it helps if you know what you are going to do next, with either the next job lined up or at least an idea of which country/which type of job you want, and you're enthused about it.

d

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Been here for in Peru for three years and we're looking to leave next year or the next. It'll be difficult to leave, especially to know that money wise we're doing ok. It's just too stressful here. If I stay until the end of next year, I'll become Peruvian, so if I leave after that, it'll be like leaving home.
We want to go to China, so we'll have to start from scratch, language, connections, everything.
Dagi, did you acquire Dutch nationality?

merlin · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 9:04 pm Post subject:

The first country I left feeling relieved and free, a lot like the frist time I left the US.

Since then it's always been bitter-sweet. It's never clear-cut "I should leave." or "I should stay."

Often it's like taking a leap of faith off a cliff. What a ride.

TEFL anonymous · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Tampico, Mexico

I've left a few places, but I've never been anywhere more than two years. I have to say that for me, athough it can be heart wrenching leaving somewhere I've felt really comfortable in and have made a life for myself, the whole idea of leaving was always to pursue a new adventure/goal, with a new plan, rather than just leaving aimlessly. There was always a reason to go, whether that be that it felt the 'right' time to move on or something/where else that I felt compelled to go and do/see and I always had a plan of my next move before I left, so it felt like another beginning rather than an end.

It's sad sometimes looking back at what and who I've left behind, but more exciting to see what's ahead - I haven't always made the 'right' choices, but I have always had good/learning experiences.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

In the first country I taught (Indonesia) I'd had enough after about 8 or 9 months, but stuck it out to finish my 1-year contract.
I've been here in Mexico for three years, and made the decision to leave at Easter time. It was a difficult decision, as I have a very good stable teaching gig, but once I made my decision I actually felt a small sense of relief. I'm eager to finish the semester here and get on with the next phase of my life.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

In the words of Frank Loesser: