ESL Jobs Forum

[Guy Courchesne]

The first time I went back home, for a vacation fter an initial 9 months abroad, was to bring my fiancee in to meet my parents and get married there in Canada. It felt great to be home, but it was much more to give my new wife a tour of the homeland kingdom.

The second time I went home, after 2 1/2 years abroad in total, it was to see family and friends for Christmas. Like visiting distant relatives. The third and last time I went back, after over 4 years abroad in total, I couldn't wait to get back home to Mexico. I've never felt that pull to go 'home' to Canada, becasue home is here now. I'm looking at Canada as a place to retire perhaps, but that's another 30 years away yet.
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Life is a verb, not a noun - Now Bloggin' and Working Hard

[davidwppl]

HI
I am torn between going to China to work and stay here in California. I like the weather here, but need a change. Can anyone who has worked in Beijing or Shanghai tell me how it is? I only visited Shanghai for a week once. I was impressed with their culture and enjoyed it, but it was kind of cold (February). Has anyone gone there and wanted to go back home right away? Or did that pass and you got used to it. Please let me know what you thought. Thanks!

David

[lordanden]

In 1992 at 50 I left for Somalia to work in a hospital, then came on to China and
and have been here and in Russia and Korea ever since. Been home a few times. Had planned to go home to stay but a new job came that has me writiing, researching and editing textbooks and also marketing them. This job is satisfying and so I plan to stay on a few more years. Actually I have come to the same point as the old former "China hands" who were my college teachers at PUC in 1959 who wanted to return to China then but coulldnt, but wanted to be buried there upon death. Am afraid I will miss my friends here too much if i go home to stay.
It is not irrational for an American to live permanltly in China nowadays.
Dennis L. :
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Dennis L

[kazza2001]

Good question? This not only applies to teachers but to everyonen who lives overseas. I found EFL teaching while I was living abroad. I have lived overseas for 26 years. I have been teaching for 13 of them. I have made each country that I have lived in my home - it is truly an experience and one that I wouldn't trade.

Will I go home? Where is home? I think perhaps I need to touch base with a place that was more of a home than a place that I am unique.

The question really is? What is home? The place where I put my hat or where my family is or where my ties are?

Interesting to say the least.

[paulo2006]

I've heard it said: 'Home is where the heart is'...Now, I also believe that we are merely 'pilgrims and strangers' during our brief journey upon this great Earth.

We are here to look; listen; learn - these experiences may be viewed two ways:
as 'jobs, an income, a necessity' or as 'an adventure; an opportunity to make a difference; a mission of sorts' (but only if you are a USAmerican who truly understands the great significance of our cultural and religious roots) - otherwise, you'd do best to first learn of these...

...in my humble opinion, of course...
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'The greatest fool must be the one who, instead of being guided by God's light - is blinded by it'

- P=MC2

[davidwppl]

Kazza,
that was a very interesting thing you said. It made me think a lot. I think there are so few people on earth that have such an enlightened view of life. To travel to many different countries and work, never worrying about ging "home"--that is SOO different than most people will ever allow themselves to be od ro.
Is all that freedom good for you? Do you miss stability.. do you yearn for a house in US and a stable life, or is that just a silly ideal that most of us strive for. I think your way of life is very appealing to me.

[Wocca]

I've been in Asia for 4 years now. The last 3 have been in China.
My plan is to extend my teaching contract when it ends this June
2006 for another year. At this stage, I imagine I'll probably do a
total of 5 years in China, as I have a very comfortable life here.

I get between 4 - 5 months' vacation each year, and I'm in the
classroom teaching for ten actual hours each week. That gives
me four day weekends every week.

My interests / hobbies are travel, computers, study, photography,
& writing. My expat lifestyle caters for these interests, and I have
no commitments or responsibilities any more back in my own
native country of Australia. I'm completely free ......

I've playing with the idea of doing a two year stint in Saudi Arabia
after I eventually leave China. Purely for the purpose of topping up
my bank account before heading to say South America (Argentina).

I used to think that I wouldn't return and live in my own country, but I
don't think about that these days. Maybe someday. I just don't need
to plan that far ahead.
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Si hoc legere scis, nimium erudtionis habes

[davidwppl]

WOCCA,
How old are you if u don't mind me asking? Do you enjoy teaching? How do you get paid enough to live with only 10 hours teaching a week? What cities have you worked in? i am always contemplating how long i will want to stay in china, and your post really caught my attention.

[Wocca]

[corbindoak]

I look at it differently I guess. To me home is where I live. I have never set down any roots. I am from the planet earth so anywhere I live on this planet is considered home to me.
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Teacher, Photographer, Designer, (BFA, BBA, AS,TEFL)

[davidwppl]

Post deleted because the comments were off topic. Moderator

[Lee Hobbs]

[Guy Courchesne]

[Lee Hobbs]

[Wocca]

Wherever I Lay My Hat - Paul Young

By the look in your eye I can tell you're gonna cry.
Is it over me?
If it is, save your tears
for I'm not worth it, you see.
For I'm the type of boy who is always on the roam,
wherever I lay my hat that's my home,
I'm telling you that's my home.

You had romance, did you break it by chance
over me?
If it's so I'd like for you to know
that I'm not worth it, you see.
For I'm the type of boy who is always on the roam, mm,
wherever I lay my hat that's my home,
mm, that's my home.



Oh, you keep telling me, you keep telling me I'm your man.
What do I have to do to make you understand?

...
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Si hoc legere scis, nimium erudtionis habes