Thread: Your work/story before teaching abroad?

Hey!

Just curious as to what most of you did before deciding to go teach abroad. I like the "hotseat" section of the website and wish they updated it more often.

Maybe you can post a little background or bio and what influenced you to take the big leap. What sacrifices did you make to live your dreams? Did you take a cut in pay? Leave a loved one or family behind?

Lets hear it!

My story is in my blog

http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/blogs/r...-to-share.html

Let's hear yours first there Johnny.

Originally Posted by ajarnfalang

Let's hear yours first there Johnny.

HAHA! I don't have one.....yet! I am still working on my BA so I can get a decent job over there(Thailand).

I will be sacrificing a very good job with great overtime, my house, and my car. But I want to travel, teach, and write. No kids and not married, so no sacrifice there.

Originally Posted by tomcat

...Before you throw everything away for exotic Thailand, why not set yourself up financially first? The glamour and excitement wears off quickly enough after a few months of the daily grind and the in-your-face reality that teaching here in your prime earning years is self-indulgent folly...

...definitely, travel here, and elsewhere, on your vacations...if possible, take a leave of absence from a well-paying job and try living here...I encourage a sense of adventure and a thirst for what is foreign: when in your twenties or fifties....but for the years in-between, common sense and financial prudence suggest you build and save for a comfortable future...

...unless, of course, you have family money or other sources of income to fall back on...in which case, ignore the above and consider Thailand your oyster...or something...

sage advice.

Originally Posted by bewildered wanderer

So you never worked before?

did you read the thread?

Originally Posted by tomcat

...Before you throw everything away for exotic Thailand, why not set yourself up financially first? The glamour and excitement wears off quickly enough after a few months of the daily grind and the in-your-face reality that teaching here in your prime earning years is self-indulgent folly...

...definitely, travel here, and elsewhere, on your vacations...if possible, take a leave of absence from a well-paying job and try living here...I encourage a sense of adventure and a thirst for what is foreign: when in your twenties or fifties....but for the years in-between, common sense and financial prudence suggest you build and save for a comfortable future...

...unless, of course, you have family money or other sources of income to fall back on...in which case, ignore the above and consider Thailand your oyster...or something...

Ha. set yourself up financially? leave of absence from a well paying job? easier said than done in the awesome US economy right now.

Before I started teaching I definately had more money. Woman have been my downfall, so no bodies fault except mine, now its me and the Dog. And the occasional BF GF GB, OH I am so happy now a little bit wealthier, although my dog does like pedigree English made biscuits typical.

Originally Posted by tomcat

...Before you throw everything away for exotic Thailand, why not set yourself up financially first? The glamour and excitement wears off quickly enough after a few months of the daily grind and the in-your-face reality that teaching here in your prime earning years is self-indulgent folly...

Perhaps, unlike yourself, he does actually want to BE a teacher?

...definitely, travel here, and elsewhere, on your vacations...if possible, take a leave of absence from a well-paying job and try living here...I encourage a sense of adventure and a thirst for what is foreign: when in your twenties or fifties....but for the years in-between, common sense and financial prudence suggest you build and save for a comfortable future...

...unless, of course, you have family money or other sources of income to fall back on...in which case, ignore the above and consider Thailand your oyster...or something...

My so-called "best years" have all been spent abroad, teaching. Lots of free apartments, tax free salaries, benefits etc. Not wishing to sound arrogant but my financial health is pretty good, always has been. Thats with teaching as a career.