Job Discussion Forums

Liquidhazel · Joined: 25 Jun 2011 Posts: 9 Location: USA

Hi everyone! I was reading through the posts on here, and wanted to share where I'm coming from and get everyone's opinions on what I'm going through. I'm sure many of you can relate!

I'm 25 and already starting to feel burnt out. I am not one of those people who can work in the same job for 35 years. I hate the rat race. I work a BORING 9-5 job that is completely unfulfilling. I've been going to school part-time to be an elementary school teacher. At this point, I won't be able to finish my degree for another 5 years of so because I'm going part-time (I work full-time to support myself). I've always wanted to teach abroad but thought you had to have your bachelors to do so. I recently found out that that is not the case, especially if you are TEFL certified. I am taking an online TEFL class through i-to-i. I did quite a bit of research on the company and it seems like a reputable company. Does anyone know?

I plan to finish my bachelors one day without a doubt. I just cannot wait 5 or more years to do what I'm passionate about, which is traveling and teaching abroad. I'm already feeling burnt out...I can't imagine doing the same thing for 5 more years! I feel that now is the right time for me to do this, as I'm young and unattached. If I wait 5 more years, who knows what/who will be in my life, and it may make it harder to do what I want to do.

I am ready to completely start fresh. To quit my boring job, say au revoir to my friends and family, and start a new life somewhere for myself. I'm looking at taking a 6 month to 1 year assignment, and if I like it maybe checking out another country or staying there, who knows. I don't have my heart set on anywhere in particular. I'm actually looking for guidance on where I should apply. I was thinking China, Costa Rica, Indonesia, maybe Mexico. I'm just not sure. Any advice would be welcome. Some of my friends think I'm crazy, asking why I would give up my job and my life here for the unknown. It's just a strong feeling I have that this is what I'm meant to do. I would love to hear from people who were in the same boat as me (or are) and took the plunge!

dustinm90 · Joined: 20 Jun 2011 Posts: 10 Location: Ontario, Canada

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

Welcome to the boards. i-to-i has been discussed (in detail). Usually you need 100 or 120 hours plus 6 of classroom teaching. I don't think that i-to-i fulfills that. At least in their regular courses.

If you get a teaching license, you could work abroad in an intl school. OR did you want to just teach EFL?

You don't need your BA to teach abroad, but not having it will limit your options.

My advice? Get your BA now, it's hard to go back to school. My husbnad is t age 32 and after working for years, it's really hard to get back into the groove and jsut study. You wait and you could be married or have kids, like my husband. It just gets harder.

For info on particular countries, try visiting the country forums. I know that there are people in China, Costa Rica, indonesia, and Mexico without degrees.

tttompatz · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:39 am Post subject:

OP:

Many can relate to your wander lust and desire for something new/different.

A lot will depend on where you are from (country of passport) and how much of your degree you have completed. IF you are from an anglophone country (USA, Canada, UK, NZ, Aus to name the 5 most popular) you will have more options than someone who is not.

As to your i to i TEFL cert, again, it will largely depend on where you are headed as to whether or not it will be accepted, ignored or discounted as useless.

If it is your intention to head for Asia then complete your degree to the Associate level (as a minimum). It will open a few more doors for you. Completing the degree opens all the doors as far as getting a visa is concerned.

Getting the teaching degree and license will, in addition to more countries you can get legal work in, also open the doors to international schools (much better remuneration package).

If you are just looking for a gap year or 3 then save up your pennies (you will need lots of them).

On average, for someone without a degree, you are looking at US$2000-$5000 (depending on where you head for) in airfare, start-up costs (rent, food, visa costs) and other expenses before you ever see your first pay day and when you do get paid it will usually be about 1/2 what a degree holder will get.

In Asia this means that you will probably earn (unless you are very good in class and highly sought after as a teacher) about $400-800 per month and have no benefits (you pay for your own visa related costs, housing, medical, airfare, etc.)

Again, depending on where you are from, you may qualify for a working holiday visa in some countries. This will allow you to travel and try your hand at ESL without a lot of the paperwork that usually accompanies a regular work visa.

.

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

Just to clarify you do NOT need a degree to get a work permit in Europe. But you should keep in mind that it is a VERY competitive job market. Your profile says you're currently in the USA, so I'll assume that's the only passport you hold, which unfortunately disqualifies you from legal work on much of the continent. As I've already said, you'll be facing competitive job markets in the places that remain, and like in Asia, you'll be earning far less than a degree-holder. Also, an i-to-i cert is not worth the paper it's printed on here. As Naturegirl already pointed out you need an on-site 120 hour course with 6+ hours of observed teaching practice to real students to get your foot in the door with most employers.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

tttompatz · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:11 pm Post subject:

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

I can understand your desire to get out, BUT... it sounds like you're not thinking long-term (even though I think you think you are...) 6-12 months is not a long time at all. Sure, to folks back home, it may sound like it, and to new teachers who are uncertain of how long they'll stay in the field, it may also seem long. But the way you've introduced yourself, it sounds like to want to do this for a while longer. In which case, I'm sorry to say, you really need to think again about finishing your degree, even if it means sticking around in your boring job. I did a boring job for 2 years to save up money for my TEFL certificate +move abroad. Those two years were boooooring, but I was thinking long-term.

Yes, you can get jobs in some countries without a degree. But if you want to stick around for a while, change countries, not end up being eligible only for the lowest jobs, etc., you really should get a degree. And if you get a teaching degree/credential, you've got even more doors potentially open to you.

When people ask you how you could consider giving up your job, comfy life at home, etc., turn the tables on them! Ask them how they can stand doing such soulless work, not seeing the world, etc. Wink

d