Job Discussion Forums

vamanos12 · Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 58

I figure I can't be the only one who battles from year to year with the choice between going abroad to teach ESL again or stay in US to take a lesser job. I'm currently in the US doing an admin/coordinator type job at a university. Not a bad gig, but boring as all get out which only makes me think "why not go teach ESL and travel-more interesting than this." Then there's the question of being single and 40 (female) and how will I ever meet someone to have a real relationship abroad. Which then leads to the idea of staying in the US and switching careers, but 3 years of school, debt, and the longing for travel will remain. I'm currently in that whirlpool of thought between go, stay, retrain. Anyone else been there or are there now?? Any thoughts?

MotherF

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

I'm curious to know what you consider a "lesser job" or how you figure teaching abroad is the opposite of that, aside from the travel angle...?

Isla Guapa

vamanos12 · Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 58

Yeah,
I guess lesser is pretty vague. I mean that by having a masters in ESL I could qualify for jobs overseas that pay more than doing admin work here in the US.
I lived in Latin America for 5 years and had a local boyfriend, but it didn't work out and I don't know that I'd choose a multi-cultural relationship again. Plus, I'm considering going to the ME so that option is out.

EFLeducator

flyingcolours · Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Posts: 73

Find a man get married and then let him worry about these things.

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

I think your biggest problem meeting someone overseas will be you.

As a male expat, I can only say that most of the women I meet abroad (gringo women) really want to go back to the states one day. And when I tell them that I am not, it seems to freak them out. Most of them can't really handle the idea of just going away permanently.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

I've had periods in my life when I've really thought about this kind of thing. There's no set answer because everyone is different. You can find love anywhere and sometimes unexpectedly. I do know this tho; if you get the work right, everything else is easier to fit into place. It's good to set goals rather than drift through life accepting what turns up. I'm in the Middle East now to build my future in Poland tomorrow. I know I will never live in the UK again. I also have a son who needs stuff and TEFL Europe just doesn't pay enough. Retraining doesn't mean you'll get a 'better' job....at 40 it's too late anyways.

vamanos12 · Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 58

The comment about being 40 and it's too late to retrain is really depressing. At 40 you aren't dead yet. Perhaps being a professional athlete should be ruled out but really, come on now.

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

I'm 43, headed back to the states this year for.....(major) retraining! Wink

EFLeducator · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:15 pm Post subject:

MotherF · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:30 pm Post subject:

I turn 40 this year, but luckily had the crises the OP is going through at 22 after just six months as an administrative assistant in a civil engineering firm. Sharter said you often find love unexpectently--I think beyond that you ONLY find love unexpectently when you stop looking for it.

To answer Isla Guapa's more women, but some men too.

EFLeducator

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