Why Overseas?
I have been asked this question plenty of times, and in all reality it is difficult to answer shortly. I will give it a shot, here, where I can [hopefully] explain more at length. The root of my decision to flee America is selfishness. My first career move to join Teach For America and move to South Carolina had little to do with my own rewards. Yes, I wanted to try being more independent. Yes, I wanted to move out of state. Sure, South Carolina seemed like a good place; however, I did not choose South Carolina. I lucked out. I chose Teach For America because I wanted to work in a movement to end this achievement gap between low-income [minority] students and higher-income [white] students. They were my purpose. They were my reason. Now, though, I am headed to an environment that will be a 180 degree turn. The reason? Complete selfishness.
I want a new challenge. I want a different environment. I want to learn and grow as a teacher [and with that, an adult]. I want to see new places. I want to learn a new culture. I want to have an experience with students that are different than the ones I have previously taught. I want to teach students that have difficulty understanding English. I, I, I, I, I. Do you see all of those "I's?" Selfish.
The reason I am able to be selfish. The reason I am not half as scared as I probably should be is because of my amazing group of family and friends that support me in everything I do. Moving to South Carolina, I found out how unbelievably fortunate I truly am. I was able to settle into a new community, meet amazing people (whom I will never forget) and I was able to stay in touch with my friends who welcomed me back at every visit. It truly means the world to me. I know that while I am away, I will not lose touch with the many people that I have been fortunate enough to call family and friends.
Why Kuwait?
Another excellent question. Another question I don't really have an answer for. Honestly? No idea. I guess I could say because I was hired there. Good enough reason? Probably not. It works for me, though. While I was looking at overseas jobs, not a lot of jobs really struck me as "I NEED THAT ONE!" They were more like "sure, I will apply there." This job was the first job I got an interview for and then immediately in the interview was offered the job. The principal was a huge factor in deciding to accept. I really liked her from the start. The information I received about living in Kuwait all seemed perfect. (I mean as soon as I saw that there was a Starbucks, did I really need to research anymore?) The contract was nice, the arrangement was nice, the people seemed nice, sold! After accepting the job, after thinking more about it, the more excited I got about this opportunity. When else am I going to go to Kuwait? Probably never. What do I know about Kuwait? Basically nothing. I am going to go to this place that I know nothing about and learn an EXTREME amount by being immersed in a completely new and different culture. That makes me totally pumped.
Hesitations
It would be a bold-faced lie if I said I had no hesitations about moving to a new country. There are so many opportunities that present themselves wherever you go. How do I know this is the right opportunity? I don't. I had the opportunity to stay in South Carolina and continue to coach the most rad athletes ever (many for their senior year), and stay in an area that I became familiar and comfortable in. If i moved back home I had the opportunity to be surrounded again by family and friends and start a new teaching career here in Minnesota or Wisconsin. If I moved to Oregon (still on the list people), I had the opportunity to finally move to a place that has been calling my name for a few years now. How do I know this is the right opportunity? How do I know that I didn't miss an opportunity here in America because I chose this path? I don't know. That is my hesitation. I am not worried about my safety. I am not worried about living in Kuwait or adjusting to Kuwait. I know I will make the best of this experience. I know it will be worth my while. I just hope no big opportunities were missed in America during this time. That is the hardest thing about life. So many things I want to do. How on earth do you choose where to go and when to do it? No idea, but hopefully this is the right time and the right place.
