We all have insatiable thirsts. Some talk about certain foods, drinks, forms of entertainment and people who have come into our lives and changed us in such a way that we will never be the same. For those of us who have taught overseas, we all know that we have been forever altered by the experience, affected so deeply and profoundly, that it almost seems as if we have left a part of who we were in whatever country we lived and taught in. Having said that, the word ‘insatiable’ seems not to adequately describe the need to go back and to do it all again, for the desire is stronger than that and it cannot be satisfied by photographs, stories and memories. To once again attain that level of satisfaction and discovery, the only option is to experience it, to live it all over again.
I lived in Japan for the better part of a year and a half and it was one of the best experiences of my life. As great as it was, the joys of living abroad were magnified tenfold when I met Carla – a gorgeous Kiwi who was also living and working in the sprawling mass that is Osaka, and as we began to share our past adventures, and to experience Asia together, my love for that region of the world seemed to blossom daily. It truly was a magical time for both of us, an experience that has remained close to our hearts and we began talking about returning to Asia about one hour into our flight out of Japan.
When I returned to Vancouver, I had the fortunate and fortuitous opportunity to begin working at Footprints Recruiting and what an experience this has been! Everyday I get to watch as teacher upon teacher begins their own international adventures and I adore being a part of that for so many people. However, one of the pitfalls of working at this particular job is that I am exposed, on a daily basis, to so many wonderful teaching opportunities and I am constantly being bombarded by emails recounting only the slightest tidbit of the real fun being had by our teachers.
Carla and I talked and talked, racked our brains, deliberated and finally decided that we needed to give it another go; for both of us, teaching in Asia was something that we were not yet finished with. In January of 2006, I approached Jeff, Ben and Kara and told them of our plans. Immediately, they began brainstorming with me, weighing various options, and I was struck by how supportive they were – don’t forget that I was essentially giving my six month notice to leave Footprints and here my bosses were, sitting with me over coffee, talking about the merits of each potential country. I was surprised by how far their kindness reached and they will forever remain engrained as amazing role models – friends and bosses who I look up to and admire.
Our departure looms now on the not-too-distant horizon. In a mere matter of weeks, Carla and I shall touch down in Seoul, Korea and begin to work at the English Village Ansan. To say that we are excited is an understatement comparable only to saying something like, “Oilers fans must not be too upset that their team has made it to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in over a decade.” I am bursting at the seams, shaking with anticipation and glowing like Paris Hilton after a long stint in a tanning machine.
Ansan’s English Village is a truly unique teaching opportunity and Carla and I feel privileged to have been accepted into this wonderful organization. However, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I bid Footprints farewell and I cannot express how thankful we both are to have been given the chance to finally quench this most insatiable of thirsts and to experience all that Korea has to offer.
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“I have been teaching in Keelung, Taiwan for over 1 year now, and plan to stay at least another. Footprints Recruiting was an invaluable service for me, assisting in many ways to ensure I had a smooth transition. Without their support, moving to Taiwan would have been much more difficult, and my experience much less enjoyable. I have, of course, become friends with other teachers, both in my school and elsewhere, who did not come via Footprints Recruiting. Many had encountered problems, such as teaching at an unprofessional school, visa problems, housing problems, etc. I am grateful I never had any such difficulties. My experience in Taiwan has been wonderful.”
