HOW THE ADVENTURE BEGAN?

This is easily my biggest adventure that I have ever gone on. I have no doubt in my mind that this adventure will not only be life changing but it will also provide me an opportunity to grow as a person.

How this adventure came about pretty much started many years ago when I was in learning Chinese in high school and visiting China made it on to my bucket list.

Now, fast forward 25 years to May 2018, where I find myself working in the education field as a teacher, struggling in a depressing work situation, and travelling through Ireland. It was while driving through the magical scenery of Ireland heading back to Lucan, Dublin after walking through the enchanted woods of Glendalough, when I turned to Anna and said “I could really see myself living here and working here for a year.” This was the moment. The moment that a plan to live and work overseas started to form and develop into reality.

While looking into what I needed to do to work overseas, I quickly realised that doing the Level 5 TEFL (168 hours) course, along with my University degree, would be a major advantage for my job hunting prospects.

After completing my TEFL course as quickly as I could, I was able to start looking and applying for overseas teaching positions. Initially, I didn’t have very much luck in getting many responses. I did get one interview for an International School in Singapore, which went really well and made it to the final 3 candidates. But unfortunately, I didn’t get the job.

I then decided to join a website group that specialized in finding teachers work in international schools all around the world. This group opened up over 700 international schools who where looking for teachers. BEST MOVE I EVER MADE!!!! I applied for positions in South East Asia and Europe. Secretly, I was really trying to aim for a school in Ireland or Singapore. Within two weeks of applying to international schools, I had done a few interviews and received 2 offers from international schools, both in China.

After the international school in Shanghai, China, presented me with an offer, just like they say in the movies …. “We made him an offer that was to good to refuse.” I closed my eyes, pushed aside my fears and nerves, took a leap of faith, accepted the 2 year contract posting to Shanghai and thought to myself…. OMG WHAT HAVE I JUST DONE!!!!! AM I REALLY DOING THIS ??????

However, after calming down and breathing again, I realised that every adventure starts with a single step and this was my first step of my biggest adventure.