Move Overseas?
BIG PICTURE
I am still contemplating doing a year of ESL in Japan, S.Korea, or Taiwan. Been doing a ton of reading about the subject.....I started doing my research on it in Sept. 2004. The pay is pretty good, they give you health insurance, most provide for travel or reimbursement, and it would be teaching opportunity. All of this while being in a foreign country. All of the locations I am considering have a high demand for English speakers willing to commit to 1 year of teaching. I love teaching and I have the desire to travel abroad. Japan seems like the best country, but the cost of living there is extremely high, much higher than the other options of S. Korea or Taiwan. I think seeing Mt. Fuji would be really cool. I do not know much about the cultures of any of the locations but I like what little I have seen.
All of those that I am considering are also great locations to launch from to go to other countries like New Zealand or Australia. I feel a strange draw to both based on............
ideas in my head? I know I have liked what I have seen via TV, movies, internet. I also like the fact they are both beautiful scenic places.
I would love to be able to say that I have been to New Zealand. How many people have?
How about seeing the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Opera house? How about watching Australian Rules Football? Great stuff to see.
things to consider......
1. living across the planet from all friends and family with no simple way to talk to them unless you schedule a phone call. Email communication is not an easy way to maintain relationships.
2. Moving somewhere without knowing anyone or knowing the language.
3. Being signed to contract w/ a company without ever meeting supervisors or facilities.
4.Financial considerations like changing/creating bank accounts in foreign country while continuing to pay bills in the US.
5. Can my relationship stand a year apart? Is it rational to be considering this drastic of a decision while in a long term relationship? What would the ramifications be if I decide to go? I am willing to make this leap?
Kinda got on a roll there..............subject has been in my head for a while now, and I am still on the fence.
Pay is equal or better than I make. Also could save some $.
Overseas work experience can only make me more employable in the future.
I could learn a language.
I can meet a bunch of different people.
More to follow this weekend......my brain needs to rest.
A little venting does a person good, even if it is in this most anonymous of venues.
Talk to you soon,
Mark
I am still contemplating doing a year of ESL in Japan, S.Korea, or Taiwan. Been doing a ton of reading about the subject.....I started doing my research on it in Sept. 2004. The pay is pretty good, they give you health insurance, most provide for travel or reimbursement, and it would be teaching opportunity. All of this while being in a foreign country. All of the locations I am considering have a high demand for English speakers willing to commit to 1 year of teaching. I love teaching and I have the desire to travel abroad. Japan seems like the best country, but the cost of living there is extremely high, much higher than the other options of S. Korea or Taiwan. I think seeing Mt. Fuji would be really cool. I do not know much about the cultures of any of the locations but I like what little I have seen.
All of those that I am considering are also great locations to launch from to go to other countries like New Zealand or Australia. I feel a strange draw to both based on............
ideas in my head? I know I have liked what I have seen via TV, movies, internet. I also like the fact they are both beautiful scenic places.
I would love to be able to say that I have been to New Zealand. How many people have?
How about seeing the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Opera house? How about watching Australian Rules Football? Great stuff to see.
things to consider......
1. living across the planet from all friends and family with no simple way to talk to them unless you schedule a phone call. Email communication is not an easy way to maintain relationships.
2. Moving somewhere without knowing anyone or knowing the language.
3. Being signed to contract w/ a company without ever meeting supervisors or facilities.
4.Financial considerations like changing/creating bank accounts in foreign country while continuing to pay bills in the US.
5. Can my relationship stand a year apart? Is it rational to be considering this drastic of a decision while in a long term relationship? What would the ramifications be if I decide to go? I am willing to make this leap?
Kinda got on a roll there..............subject has been in my head for a while now, and I am still on the fence.
One of the biggest factors I am waiting on is my employment situation. School is over as of June, so I need to be working during the summer. I need to make at least what I am paid now. Who is going to agree to that for a short term?
I am looking for ideas to solve this problem. Lightbulb, please appear over my head and fill my thoughts.
I am also waiting to find out if my afternoon school(I split time between 2 schools at DPS. My PM school is fantastic, my AM school is just a job.) will be bringing me on full time. My principal has hinted at that, but said she will not know anything about employment until March 3rd. All of it is based on total enrollment at the school. I know I am not priority #1, but I feel like I am appreciated and respected there. They have given me increased responsibilities (is it b/c they trust what I am doing and my abilities or is it just efficient use of resources) If she tells me that I can be there full time in fall............I am still not sure. I can make (at worst) the same amount of $ working in Japan, S.Korea, or Taiwan, and I would not have as much in living expenses.
Heavy things to ponder......it is like a weight sometimes. Other times, I can serve to bouy my spirit.
Do I want to leave everything I know?
The practical.
The chance/desire the travel is phenomenal.I am looking for ideas to solve this problem. Lightbulb, please appear over my head and fill my thoughts.
I am also waiting to find out if my afternoon school(I split time between 2 schools at DPS. My PM school is fantastic, my AM school is just a job.) will be bringing me on full time. My principal has hinted at that, but said she will not know anything about employment until March 3rd. All of it is based on total enrollment at the school. I know I am not priority #1, but I feel like I am appreciated and respected there. They have given me increased responsibilities (is it b/c they trust what I am doing and my abilities or is it just efficient use of resources) If she tells me that I can be there full time in fall............I am still not sure. I can make (at worst) the same amount of $ working in Japan, S.Korea, or Taiwan, and I would not have as much in living expenses.
Heavy things to ponder......it is like a weight sometimes. Other times, I can serve to bouy my spirit.
Do I want to leave everything I know?
The practical.
Pay is equal or better than I make. Also could save some $.
Overseas work experience can only make me more employable in the future.
I could learn a language.
I can meet a bunch of different people.
More to follow this weekend......my brain needs to rest.
A little venting does a person good, even if it is in this most anonymous of venues.
Talk to you soon,
Mark
posted by mark at 8:52 PM
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