What should I do with my life?
This question pops up every year and intensifies around May when whatever 1 year program I am in is ending. First came college, which was actually 4 years, grinding to an abrupt halt in 2005. I had a bachelors degree in interior design (something that I wasn't ready to pursue) so I thought to myself, "what should I do with my life?" In an effort to avoid looking for the answer, I traveled. Seven countries, three weeks, and one backpack. I was hooked....but then broke so I had to return home.
Joining AmeriCorps in St. Louis was a crazy idea that I came to after endless internet surfing. I still do not remember how or where I came across it, but 1 year later I was leaving Turner Middle School in North St. Louis City for the last time. I said good-bye to the 6th graders I had come to love so much and see you later to a culture I had become a part of. My next adventure awaited me in Austin, Texas.
AmeriCorps part 2 was an entirely different experience with only a similar name. Kindergartners were my newest love and an old familiar culture was now intertwined with a new one. I was semi-immersed in the Spanish language every day and loved it. If only I remembered more from high school.
Once again the year ended and I had maxed out my allowed AmeriCorps service time. Can you believe they cap the number of years you are allowed to volunteer? Now, what should I do with my life? Move to Costa Rica, I thought. Never happened. I really wanted it to, but the position of a substitute teacher sounded much more... convenient.
All I'm going to say about substitute teaching is that I survived. Only one death threat.
Here I am again at the end of another school year - it's true that time moves faster the older you get. Taking it one year at a time is a nice way to remain commitment-free. The only draw back is that you have to continuously re-examine your job options. I've updated my resume about 57 times. The Costa Rica idea re-entered my mind some time around January and then mid-April I became increasingly serious about Mexico. Then there was Spain and possibly somewhere in South America. (I really wanted to understand the kids at school when they transitioned between Spanish and English all the while smirking in my direction). Pouring over information online, in books, and by word of mouth led me to a teaching abroad seminar at a local university.
The seminar teacher was everything I aspire to be. She has made traveling into a career and bypassed the 9-5 work day with sunrises in Thailand and sunsets in Africa. I drooled over every story she fed me and listened intently to the picture she painted of each country. My focus was on Spain or Mexico until she mentioned South Korea. Of course- why hadn't I thought of that? Truth be told, I hadn't considered South Korea and probably never would have had I not attended the seminar.
"23,000 English speakers are needed in South Korea between now and 2010. Cost of living is considerably less than in Japan while salaries are higher than China. Safe and modern. New experiences. Exciting opportunities."
Let me think about that and talk it over with Andrea...
0 comments:
Post a Comment