Job Discussion Forums

Global-Hobo · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 37

I can't seem to stop moving. In the last ten years I've lived in 13 different countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and Caribbean. I've been living in Amsterdam for the last 6 months and can think of nothing but moving again. I am now planning to relocate to Colombia.

I am addicted to the challenge of turning up in foreign country, finding a job, an apartment, friends etc. and then I get bored and begin fantasizing about the next country. Some say I'm "running away" from things or I'm not happy with myself but it's not true, I love myself so much you'd likely vomit over your keyboard if I told you.

These 6 months in Amsterdam were my last effort to try and settle, I can't do it. I'm 30 years-old now and I have finally surrendered to my impulses, f*** settling down, it's never going to happen! I just have to find a weird girl with the same impulses as me. The next girl I get, I'm going to tell her to either accept she'll always be moving around the world for the rest of her life or close the door behind her.

My issue is, I find it very hard to complete a contract, in fact since I was 17 years-old, the longest I have ever lived in one country has been 8 months (my degree was split between two countries), that needs to be extended to at least a year; if I can do two years in each country from now on that would be fantastic.

Does anyone else have the same problem(?) as me?

artemisia · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

If your expectations are too high or unrealistic, then you're bound to be disappointed regardless of where you live. Perhaps you need to figure out what it is that you're after and reflect on whether that goal is attainable, and if so, set a realistic plan and timeframe in which to achieve it. However, if that goal involves other people (i.e., relationships), remember that you can only change yourself---not others.

Additionally, you state you find it hard to complete a contract. I agree with Artemisia that if you're trying to establish a career, you don't want a spotty work history or one that shows a lack of commitment.

Good luck in Colombia!

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

SAme here, the grass is always greener. It gets harder though when you're married.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Nothing wrong with often moving from country to country, if that's your thing. There IS something wrong with not having the patience to see a contract out, though. It's a year. Think of it as the price of being professional, and use the time to learn a bit (more) of the local language or join a club or whatever.

That weird girl will probably have to be an EFL teacher too, is my guess.

littlecloud · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 1

Global Hobo, are you looking for a job only after you arrive in Colombia? Do you speak Spanish? How long does it normally take you to get a job?
Just curious -- I have no EFL experience but am contemplating trying it out somewhere in South America. Travel addict here, too.

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

SahanRiddhi · Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Posts: 267

Global-Hobo, unless you have some outside source of funding such as wealth parents, you are going to be a financial failure. All these moves eat up money. The lack of career advancement kills any chance of earnings growth. It obliterates any opportunity for serious medical insurance, for retirement savings, for starting a family, and for any type of a real adult life.

I sense problems within you. I recommend counseling.

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

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I think age and marital status may be factors. If one is married (especially with children) and closer to retirement age, one is more likely to think ahead a bit.

Certainly, I would have favored a more freewheeling lifestyle, except that I am married and at least close enough to retirement age to ponder various post-employment scenarios. I would still like to consider working again in HK, but my partner is dead set against it.

Oh well, maybe next lifetime!

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

If you're happy and it's working for you and you just wanted to find out whether some one lives like you do, then fine. Travel away.

If it's problem and you don't think it is working for you, I suggest you talk to a psychologist. A few sessions with a really great psychologist can have profound and long-lasting positive effects on one's life.

Again, I'm only suggesting this if you think the way you live is a problem. There are many non-standard ways to live life.

By the way, how on earth can you afford to do this?

wiganer · Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Posts: 189

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

OP has given up on Colombia and is headed for Mexico.

Global-Hobo · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 37

I've worked in timeshare on-and-off for years which gave me good money and a great lifestyle. I work, I save, I travel, I settle and repeat.

Naturegirl, it's really not that costly; every apartment I've had came at least semi-furnished. I don't need/want much, my laptop supplants my TV and stereo. Everything I own (except for a few souvenirs at a family member's home) travels with me without extra baggage allowance.

I have the necessary qualifications to work in international schools so I intend to take my career seriously but then, even if I didn't, another ten years; another ten countries, it's quite a life even if I am broke at the end of it. Perhaps I could write a book about it one day and make it all (almost) worth it financially in the end.

Again, to naturegirl, for me living in one country for five years defies the reason of leaving in the first place. I want a dynamic, adventurous life, I want daily stimuli, my senses to be alert; I want stories, I want my life to read like a novel; and I can have that.

When I go somewhere new I have all that and then I start getting a routine, daily life slowly starts slipping into the mundane, I develop a routine, daily life becomes predictable, unremarkable and I think the best years of my life are slipping by; that a great adventure could be had just by getting on a plane to ....... and often it's true.

I know I have to work on it though, find more hobbies, more thrills and I will but the most I can ever foresee myself staying in one country is two years and that is really quite optimistic. And if that be the case, so be it, at least I would have lead an interesting and unique life.