Thailand, Check.

Sawatdee kaa! (hello!)



I've just returned from a solo trip to Bangkok, Thailand, and let me just tell you, for all of us who are freezing our tushes off, the weather there was beautiful!



So why was I in Thailand by myself? I went in search of a new job for the 2010-2011 school year. Ed and I have decided that while we absolutely love our Korean life, it is time to move onward and upward. We still want to be able to live abroad (while we can), so I started looking at International School teaching. Basically, International schools use a western based curriculum (usually American) and teach some of the local children and some of the diplomatic/big CEO/other traveling westerners' children. It is the perfect situation for me, because while I love teaching at Museon, I am missing teaching 'western' style.



Anyways, there was a huge job fair in Bangkok this week, and Ed and I decided that it would be best if I went, cuz you all know I'm that much better in person. Unfortunately, Ed couldn't go with me because his job wanted him to teach at winter camps. My school was amazingly supportive of my decision to go--which was SUPER!



So I went, alone (my first big solo trip) nervous and excited.



Perhaps you are wondering how the fair went?? Well, it went amazing! I interviewed with a bunch of schools (and even a few big namers in the International Community). I received some amazing, positive feedback. Annnnndddd I was hired! I'm going to be an Elementary ESOL (English as a second or other language) teacher at Xiamen, China (pronounced 'Shaman')!!



Now for those of you who were perhaps hoping that Ed and I would be a little bit closer to you all, let me just put down for the record that I did try to 'interview' with some of the European schools, but basically they just laughed at me because I'm not qualified enough, yet.



Ed and I are super excited to be going to Xiamen, as it is a smaller community in the Southern part of China (across the Taiwan Straight). I'm going to do a full write up on Xiamen a bit later so you all can get a good understanding of where we are going next.



Basically, I am walking away from this trip to Thailand with not only a job, but three pictures (that's all I had time for), and a greater appreciation for our time here in Korea. With out this experience, I would have never been able to join the high caliber community of International teaching so early in my career. In fact, I was told on more than one occasion that I was extremely qualified not only because of my advanced Master degree (who knew that would actually pay off!) but because I have hands on experience in Korean (apparently a lot of schools have a large amount of Korean students). It just reinstates that the age old saying "Everything happens for a reason" as being true. At least for Ed and I.



Feel free to send your questions about either the job fair or getting into international teaching!! I'd love to share my experience with more people!!!



But for now, peace from the Kimchi-Land!