My Escape

[IdaLeWyrm]

After college, I stayed in my college town with my boyfriend and applied for one job--at T-Mobile where he worked too.  After three years I had been promoted to data entry instead of just inbound calls.  I was living the life, all right. 

I was unhappy with my job and I was jealous of my friends who had traveled to Europe or Asia or South America.  I had never been outside of North America and I was full of excuses why.  I had a lease, and a boyfriend who didn't want to travel, and a cat to take care of.  I didn't get enough vacation time at work. 

Once upon a time someone told me, "things don't happen unless you make them happen."  My boyfriend was capable of taking over the lease and willing to take over my cat.  It was becoming clear that our relationship was not making either of us happy, so it was a perfect time to break.  I signed up for a TEFL certificate course and bought a one-way ticket to Thailand.

My coworkers were shocked when I told them.  I left in September, 2009.

And I love it.  Completely.  Everything I own fits into a couple of suitcases, and I'm okay with that.  I had the chance to backpack in northern Thailand and Cambodia for about three weeks before I started teaching for the semester, and when my contract is over next month I'm going to backpack for a few more months in Laos, Vietnam and see more of Thailand before going on to another country to teach in the fall.  I don't think I'll be moving home for a long time.

My advice is to figure out how to make it happen.  It may take a few months to complete your action plan, but it's worth it.

[Greg]

Welcome IdaLeWyrm,

Your story is sweet music to my eyeballs!  Glad you made the move and have no regrets....at least you are living a little now (and making a difference with TEFL)
rather than just making the T-Mobile execs richer.

Bravo.   

Where are you teaching in Thailand?  I'll be back in that neighborhood here soon, maybe see you on the road.

[IdaLeWyrm]

I'm in Ban Phe, Rayong right now, just a ferry ride from Ko Samet.  It's a tiny town with no traffic lights, and whenever I venture into it I see someone I know.  Then at the end of April I'm off to see new places.

I'm actually a little overwhelmed with all the volunteering options out there after I finish my next teaching contract.  Teaching for a few months in Burma, WWOOFing anywhere in the world (particularly Africa or Eastern Europe,) and staying on a Kibbutz in Israel are all very appealing to me.  And they're all almost free.

[SaraJohnson]

The back packing is a good idea for exploring the different parts of the world and also earn sufficient amount of money for living it certainly brings a lot of change in life and make a person fulfill his desires by putting some courage and passion. The TEFL is really helping you make good earning while travel and find a better job soon in some other country of destination.