Worries About Living Abroad

Are YOU crazy!?

It's dangerous over there!

You'll end up in jail or as a hostage!

The reality of TEFL is that there is a lot of uncertainty and FEAR is what keeps most people from heading overseas.

What if I don't find a job?  What if I spend a huge amount of money to get there, to take training and still don't find a job?  Will I end up living on the streets?

These are all realistic questions.  I had a roommate tell me my decision to go overseas was the stupidest idea he had ever heard. Yet, it was the best decision in my life.  And my stomach churned for weeks before I went to Africa and even for a few weeks AFTER I went!

These are common issues for all of us. No one faces such decisions without doubt and yes, real fear, about how it will all work out.  I did.  Everyone I know had similar issues.

But here's how to deal with it.

1. KNOW that no decision is irreversible. You can always go back home. No one will stop you. Family and friends will be happy to see you again.
2. KNOW that some people give life overseas a kind of test period.  I'll give it six months and see if I like it. If I don't or if things aren't working the way I would like them to, then I'll go back home.  This is the Stick your Toe in the Water method.  Check it out. See if it is what you want. If you don't like it, quit.  You do that with many things in your life. A new job, a new friend, a new lover, even a new kind of food.  I'll try it, you say. I can always change my mind.
3. Know that you can head home any time you want. Saudi Arabia is the only country I know of that requires an exit visa.  Anywhere else, you can go to the airport, or bus terminal or ferry any time you want and head on home.

Understand that uncertainty is just part of the process.  TEFL (and most other jobs overseas) does require a bit of trust.  Trust that you are dealing with honorable people.  Trust that you can handle little problems that come up (they will, just like back home!). And, trust that life goes on back home and you can jump back in at any time.  Trust that 99% of it is UP TO YOU.

If you have concerns about living and working overseas and if that is what is holding you back, just contact us at TEFLbootcamp at gmail.com or use the contact form HERE and we will do our best to help you learn what you need to know to feel more comfortable with heading overseas.  BTW, it is not for everyone and if we think it is not for you... we'll tell you.

Don't let fear get in the way of living the best life you can.

From Mark Twain:  “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”