Job Discussion Forums

ttalapp · Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 10 Location: China

Hi, everyone
I'm sure this was done to death before, but the update is needed.
I'm in the process of beginning to wonder around the world, after spending 2 years teaching ESL in South Korea and 4 months in Thailand.
I've also just received M. S in Education from College in Buffalo, USA.
The degree itself is quite meaningless without proper experience. In any case, I just feel like the road is calling me again. I'm just not sure for how long. I never thought I'm gonna end up in this situation, meaning more confused then before. I want to sign a contract again for a year but feel like I should devote more time in getting the experience needed for the job at home.( that's Canada) So I just want to hear some opinions or thoughts about someone who is or was in this situation. I'm 31 btw.
No arguments or thought provoking ideas required. Smile

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

Living and teaching abroad is hard to give up, isn't it? Personally, I don't think being 31, or 32 or 52 should deter anyone from pursuing something so satisfying and rewarding as living abroad and traveling all about this beautiful blue and green planet.

englishmaster · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 118

I am 45, and have just completed my second bout of travel after a period of work. My first world tour was back in 2001. After several years in Korea, I decided to do an intensive tour of China, then Europe. It took a while before I got another job, but I did it. Last year, after several years of teaching in Taiwan, I did my second world tour, again to China and Europe, with Thailand thrown in. Now I am about to embark on a new phase of my teaching career.

One good thing about the TEFL lifestyle is that you can take a "sabbatical" from time to time, as needed.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

However, if you someday wish to retire or work in Canada, you should be planning for that now.