Job Discussion Forums

[VladJR87]

So as I posted in my "Arrived" thread, I am getting to decision point. It is week three of my CELTA program, and I have no reason to suspect I will not pass. We meet with BKC recruiters this week to discuss opportunities, but until then everything I have is just speculation. (This is mostly the same information from that thread, sorry its a long one, but really appreciate any guidance).

The problem is this. Despite some initial issues getting settled, most of which are gone, I have done a sort of 180 (while I was waiting for class to start I thought I hated Moscow but would LOVE CELTA teaching). I would love to stay in Moscow, and I have loved the CELTA program. but I am not yet 100% convinced it is for me.

I would love a short teaching opportunity, giving me the chance to see how I do, how I like it, and the ability to "walk away," without breaking contract or screwing myself in the process. IE: I want a short contract. I have two months left on my visa, I would love a two month contract! I think I would definitely consider a 5-month contract as well. But anything longer I think I would be very hard pressed to sign. I enjoy teaching, but I know I could get a good job back in the states, I take risks, but only to a degree.

I know 2-month contracts are rare if not never (or at least I have never heard of them), and it seems 6-month contracts are rare as well. My concern is two-fold, first off my understanding is contracts are written so that you get a lot of perks when you complete the contract- if you fail to complete it, you basically get screwed out of a lot of money. In addition, I like to think of myself as an upstanding honest guy, and it would take some catastrophic events to get me to break a contract. I think .

Another concern is the limited options in Russia. If I decided teaching English were not for me, that's it, not many opportunities for someone like me, despite my qualifications my Russian is quite horrible.

I guess my big hope is my school is going to say "Oh wow we love you, plus your a native speaker, we think you will love it and want to stay longer, you have a university degree... sure want to work for two months and see how it goes?" But I am not holding out hope.

It is probably pertinent to say that I came here for Russia, I wanted to CELTA and have definitely enjoyed it, but I am not doing this to travel the world- a job I can only tolerate would not be worth it. (Note: I am not saying I can only tolerate it, hard to say since its still just classroom experience, just anticipating all the possibilities). I'm not sure if it is relevant, but I also want to point out that I have loved it and its been a great experience. I'll never regret it, and if I return home and work for my old employer, never to use my CELTA, I will not regret my decision to come here.

Last but not least, I have long considered a career in teaching (like high-school level). But was not about to enter a graduate program (necessary where I am from) without some teaching experience. So even if I return home I would probably initially at least look for a CELTA opportunity to get more of that experience.

Comments, suggestions, ideas? Much appreciated

[smithrn1983]

It sounds like you really want to have a go at teaching, in which case a year isn't a bad option. It's not as long as you think, and if you get a letter of reference from your employer before you leave, is unlikely to adversely affect your job prospects if you return home afterwards.

To look at it another way, if you stay in Moscow for a year, you'll open up more possibilities to yourself than you could if you return home. You could continue teaching in Moscow, go back home and get certified to teach in public schools, or find something else to do here in Moscow.

You have a year to learn the language, and while you may not be completely fluent a year from now, you can definitely make some good progress, especially if you have a good teacher. I've also found Russians extremely willing to speak to you in Russian if you ask them, no matter how good their English is.

In the end, though, it's just a choice you have to make, but nothing is permanent.

[JN]

Yeah, I think smithrn's advice is good. I'd stay a year or so-or at least 6 months. I have quite a bit of international experience behind me, but am still learning new things. I have even done the same thing I am doing now, but this job took more adjusting to. However, after 6 months, I am realizing that there are parts of it that I do love-the children. I have also seen other opportunities open up to me here in Berlin.
It is your decision, but I'd stay longer there if I were you, judging on what you already said.

[wiganer]

I have read your other thread and it seems to me you are suffering from 'culture shock' you haven't given Russia a proper chance yet. Do the year! You are now there, what is back home that can't wait until the summer?

I loved Russia as soon as I got off the plane but South Korea - I hated it at first but after four months, I was fine and I got to like it the place. You are going to have this wherever you go. Homesickness, missing family and culture shock is something we all go through if we teach abroad. Like everyone goes through the pains of breaking in a new pair of shoes.

You have gone a long way and spent a lot of money just to do a CELTA. Give Moscow a chance - the BKC year ends in June anyway, so you are going to get a short contract anyway.

[VladJR87]

Did not get the news I expected. There is so much misinformation about BKC. It seems the only way to prevent returning home in two weeks is to work part-time, in which case there is no guarantee of hours and no accommodations.

There is one full-time position available in the area (Troitsk) and that starts like right away- they said I would still have to return home and if they know they are hiring you they will use part-time teachers until the paperwork is processed. But it seems the quickest I would be back is about a month-and-a-half at the absolute fastest due to hiring process and visa paperwork.

I am going to shop around for other opportunities but definitely not the news I expected.

I will keep this updated .

[VladJR87]

Edit: It's a long one, I have a hard time being honest with myself let alone others, I have a very hard time doing so concisely. I suspect I will not be getting much advice as I have about 12 hours to make a decision - that being said, there is still the long term question, and maybe some night owls.

Well I told my travel agent I will let him know within 12 hours. I am miserable honestly (in trying to decide). It is hard being honest with myself (and others), but when it comes down to it I am not sure I am ready for it. Living so far from family and friends. I could manage, definitely, but I am not sure I want to.

I am looking at this two ways now. First, I like Moscow, and I like teaching. But I love my family and friends, and I loved my job(s) back home. Teaching English would have to be my dream job to keep me here (or bring me back ASAP), and I know I like it, but I am pretty sure teaching English is not that dream job. There is no reason I cannot go home and decide to come back at a later date, whether that is in a few months, or several years.

Second, I feel like I should stay because I don't want to regret it. I really want-to-want to stay (or come back).

In the end... I think it will not matter, short term at least. I have had two schools contact me, one is a no-name no one has ever heard of (probably not willing to sign onto that like this), the other has yet to give me any details (including the school name), but I suspect it will be similar. Rumor is BKC may be interested in providing flats and hiring us part-time for the remainder of our visas. But I really do not want to end up working 6-hour weeks that are boring as heck and miserable as I fill in here and there to sub and never actually have a class anyway.

If this is the case I do not really have a choice but to go home, in which case the question is... do I return? In which case I have time to think about it, and it will almost certainly come down to what happens when I move home. Do I have a good opportunity to get an apartment moving out? Do I get my great job back? Do I get into Teach for America (after teaching I know I love teaching, just not so hot on English!- which was half my intention of doing the CELTA, get teaching experience without committing to a graduate program).

The comforting thought in all of this is that the CELTA is forever and there is no reason I cannot come back. But let's be honest, I'm doing this for me, and if I am honest I do not really want to stay right now. So why should I?

--

My roommate said something tonight when I mentioned that its kind of embarrassing to go home (if that happens heh) and explain to everyone I optimistically told I would be gone for years... He said that is bull, they were the ones without the, let's pretend he said courage, to do something like this. On that note, sure he is right, but I give kudos to those that do this so, I know its not easily, but make it look easy.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Good luck back home. If you get the pull to come back to Russia, you'll know, and be more prepared than most.

[VladJR87]

[Houston]

Sorry to hear that Vlad.

They hired a ton of teachers who came here in December, and it had something to do with BKC needing to use up their allotments of Visas for the year.

Just tell BKC recruitment to fire a couple of the bitter teachers who have been here for awhile. No one will miss them.

[smithrn1983]

Sorry to hear the news, Vlad, and I agree with Houston's comment. Someone like you would make a far better teacher than some of the old and bitter teachers you find here and there.

I hope things work out for you back home, and that you find a way to come back to Russia doing something you love!

[VladJR87]

Thanks guys. I just e-mailed the travel agent. My only real viable option was to stay and sign on part time without accommodations (I could keep mine, but have to keep paying). I did not really want to mess with finding private students and such when I am looking at the short-term.

I do look forward to the future, and feel strongly that it will include teaching, whether in the public school system back home (getting excited about Teach for America) or back in Russia- and I have the CELTA to thank for that.

Immensely enjoyed myself and, I guess the week isn't over, but no regrets .

[kazpat]

"the guts to try"

Hats off to you Vlad.....