the certification isn't that bad. we'd go to nashville, (unless they have a class in Huntsville this time next year) for three weekends. be in class all day saturday and sunday. do 40 hours of online coursework. the price isn't too terribly bad. if we started saving for it, we could probably come up with it in the spring without too much of a fuss. if i can really convince the hubs to do it, i would probably just ask for donations for it as christmas and birthday presents. so i might not have to pay any of it out of pocket.

my concern is paying off all of our bills before we go, and really only having school loan repayments to pay while we're out of the country. we're already budgeting to pay off (aside from medical bills) all of our bills (car note, credit cards) within the next year anyway.

I have a friend that did a year in Korea and a year in Japan. He loved it. I have always considered doing it but now with a baby I don't think now we could do it. Since my hubs and I are already credentialed through California we could go without the TEFL since we are already certified to teacher English Language Learners. I like to think that someday we might still do it!

I say do it. Chance of a lifetime!!  Check into Abu Dabi or Sadi Arabia. I hear they have amazing opportunities to teach there.

the hubs always wanted to be an english teacher on top of being in computer stuff. so to him this would sort of fill that void. i'm pretty sure our families thinks i'm insane for wanting to do this. when the hubs graduates he'll make great money here. BUT we'll be stuck in this area more than likely, and neither of us want that at this point in our lives. 

we'll always have that to fall back on. plus i think he thinks, we'll get over there and he'll just hop into the tech industry if he gets bored with teaching. his area of focus is security and implementing systems (can't remember what it is exactly called), and since their tech industry is growing he thinks he can really get in and do some awesome things.

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Elle said ...
I have a friend that did a year in Korea and a year in Japan. He loved it. I have always considered doing it but now with a baby I don't think now we could do it. Since my hubs and I are already credentialed through California we could go without the TEFL since we are already certified to teacher English Language Learners. I like to think that someday we might still do it!

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It sounds like an awesome adventure. I've NEVER regretted it when I made decisions of the heart and not based on 'typical logic'... it has always led to the best adventures!!

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dianne said ...
am i crazy? i just want to have a big adventure. the hours aren't bad. you work anywhere from 25-35 hours a week in most schools. you get to be immersed in another culture. Plus when our contract is over, we'd already be in Europe so we could travel all over the place.

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My cousin and his partner have actually been in China, their second or third time going over, and teach English. They love it. It is funny though because apparently they have to be careful with things they say and such especially when it comes to things like history. In case you didnt know China won WW2.

My BIL has been over in Japan teaching English for the best part of the last 10 years.  To work teaching English there, you just need a bachelors degree.  I don't think they cover food or board but I do know that he makes a ridiculous amount of money.  He's only got an Arts degree which essentially makes him qualified to wait tables here but over there, he makes more than enough to live comfortably, travel regularly and come home once a year or so.  In addition to that, he's saved a stupid amount of money.

At the moment, he's only working part time so that he can concentrate on writing.  He teaches little kiddos so it's all singing songs and acting like a Wiggle more than anything too intensive or serious.  

He completely loves it.  He's married a Japanese woman and I think we've lost him for good at this point!  

All that to say - dooo it!  Japan's awesome and easy to get into.  Apparently they've got a great social scene going with all the ex-pats so knowing Japanese isn't really a necessity.  

I don't think it's a choice you'd ever really regret!  

Dianne, I think it sounds like an AMAZING adventure! If I weren't at a point in my life where I'm now so concerned about health insurance, I would do it in a heartbeat! I say go for it!

 When I let myself think about this for all of 2 seconds today, my first thought was "I wonder if they would let me do that in Australia?"

Yep... not one of my brighter moments! ;)

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johana said ...
All that to say - dooo it!  Japan's awesome and easy to get into.  Apparently they've got a great social scene going with all the ex-pats so knowing Japanese isn't really a necessity.  

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S.I.F. said ...
 When I let myself think about this for all of 2 seconds today, my first thought was "I wonder if they would let me do that in Australia?"

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Bwahahaha!  :D  The blonde.  It hurts...  :P