I want to be in love again. I want it so bad that I decided to try love in another country. Wait, before you think I’m talking about a man let me stop. Teaching is my first love and I want to feel that feeling again. My true educators know that feeling I speak of. Teaching in the US can be challenging, but it has become second nature to me. Mainly, the only thing challenging (to me) in teaching is administration and politics. I’ve heard so many teachers get frustrated and echo the sentiment, “if they’d just let me teach!” I want to see if my love of teaching speaks another language. I want to see if my talent is limitless. I want to feel that camaraderie with coworkers that I use to have, you know, before the Common Core and performance based pay. Ultimately, I want to love freely.
Family and, more often, total strangers often want to know why in the world would I leave the comforts of the US to teach in the UAE. I’ve given various reasons: more money, cheap travel, and as of lately my response has just been,”why not?” All of those things play a factor into why I’d want to pack up and go, but what resounds with me the most is the yearning for “light bulb” moments.
I’m plan on doing more than teaching; I know there is going to be a whooooole lotta learning as well. There is no way to prepare for all that I will see and do so I’ve just stopped. The process can drive you crazy if you let it; I’ve made more to do lists than the law allows. For those of you reading this who are traveling also, I will list them. Hope it helps!
Things to do before departure list
-Get unlocked phone
-Get luggage
-Get Buffalo router
-Get Magic Jack
-Order mucho contact lenses
-Go to all doctors before insurance ends
-Pack photos
-Load up on deodorant and toothbrushes
-Prepare bank accounts for international transfers
-Scan copies of degrees, passport, passport photo, etc., originals and authenticated
-Put a lock on my credit
-Sign over power of attorney
-Pack vision board
-Get allergy medicine
-Buy a kick ass camera
-Buy new swimsuits
-Sunscreen!!!
-Get addresses and stationary (I’m going to do some hand written letters again)
-Re read The Alchemist
-Buy a Beats Pill
-Say goodbye to Whole Foods
-Develop even more patience
-Do something out of character and tell no one
-Be present. Not lingering in the past or future
-Make amends
-Stay thankful
-Make new friends
-Write letters to my 4 fav students
-Lose ego, gain awareness
-Love
-Don’t pack one single book…….well maybe 2…in my carry on…..and 4 in my suitcase. Don’t judge.
-Teaching While Black
The Exquisite Expat 
Heyhey!
I’ll be teaching in the Abu Dhabi in the fall! Hit me up and let’s exchange tips =) (vsergon@gmail.com)
Awesome list!
Thanks!
I moved to China almost two years ago, and it has been the most rewarding experience. I actually get to teach, and the students want to learn!!!
I can’t wait to get back to that! Are you staying another year?
Hi! I have been teaching overseas in Seoul for two years and will be moving to Egypt in the fall to teach. I’ll definitely be hitting up the UAE at some point! I love teaching abroad and you will too! 🙂
That’s awesome. I want to visit Egypt soooo bad. A little scared though.
You are my sister in the sense that I made the move for exactly the reasons you stated in your post. Twenty years in the teaching profession and I stopped “teaching” when Common Core came into the picture; now in AZ PARCC is on the horizon and I said enough was enough. Congratulations on your decision and I hope our paths will cross in UAE!
I will be arriving in UAE in August 2014; it sounds as though I am already there in the previous post.
This to-do list is going to come in handy!
It helped a lot.