Here is how the whole process works (the over-simplified version):
September:
- you realize you either a. hate your job or b. need to make more money
October:
- you spend countless hours writing and re-writing resumes, personal statements, filling in application forms and begging administrators for recommendations
November:
- you spend your life's savings to register for a job fair in a city that is at least a 7-hour plane ride away (there goes another $600). Meanwhile you eat a lot of grilled cheese to make up for the loss of income.
December:
- you wait for January
January:
- you head to Bangkok (or Kuala Lumpur, or London, or Boston etc...), dress up in a ridiculous suit that you would NEVER actually wear to work (c'mon - we're teachers!!), and try to sell yourself to a room full of people who invariably do not think you are qualified or have enough experience to teach (despite all the literature you have generated that would suggest otherwise). If you are lucky, you get many interviews and you leave said random city with a job offer. If not, you leave. And cross your fingers.
As I mentioned, January is a stressful time of year for international educators. It is not unusual that teachers get sick directly after the job fair. In fact, this year two teachers were hospitalized for various ailments upon their return from the fair (Coincidence? I think not). So, to get to my point...it is for all these reasons that I feel extremely grateful!! What???My September-November looked much like the one described above. But December arrived and on its wings was a beautiful, lovely, wonderful job offer that would send Brad and I to Beijing in the fall of 2009. It was the best Christmas present a girl could ask for: A JOB BEFORE THE JOB FAIR!! Needless to say, we accepted. :)
So to make a long story longer...in june will bid farewell to sandy Dubai and say 'Ni hao' to smoggy Beijing!! Consider this an open invitation to come and visit!!
Check out this link to help you plan your trip - hee hee hee :)
xoxo - ditty
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