China, Here I Come!

That's right, folks! My life is taking another turn...this time towards Beijing, China! I have recently accepted a teaching position at the Beijing Concord College of Sino-Canada for the 2013-2014 school year. The finer details are still being worked out, and I myself still have some questions to be answered. But I am very excited, anxious, happy, overjoyed, and proud to have made this decision.

I guess I started thinking about this while I was completing my Bachelor of Education degree at STU last spring. Atlantic Education International Inc. came to STU during one of our professional development sessions to present to our class the opportunities they provided to those wishing to teach abroad. When I left the session, I was easily convinced that this was the path for me. But once the excitement and novelty of the opportunity wore off, I became nervous and unsure that I was prepared for such a drastic change and move. So, I put that idea aside and focused on a smaller move to Calgary. I have always thought since moving to Calgary that I made the best decision for me in the long run. I needed to know that I could live independently farther away from home. I think I have proven to myself that I can do so, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Calgary. It's a great city, with lots of things to see and do, and I haven't once for a second regretted making the move out here. 

When I was home for the Christmas holidays 4 months ago, I did a lot of thinking and reevaluating. Being home saw many people asking about my experience in Calgary, how I was doing, what I was doing, and how long I expected to be there. The more I was asked these questions, the more I began to reevaluate where I was and where I wanted to be. One of my best friends, Amanda, is currently living and working in Beijing, China with the same company I have accepted a job with. She works at a different school in Beijing, the Canadian International School of Beijing. Our many Skype dates, Facebook messages back and forth, texts, readings of her blog posts, and viewings of her pictures brought back the notion of applying to teach abroad. It was very evident to me that Amanda was gaining so much life and career experience in Beijing, and I knew I wanted something similar for myself. The night I landed back in Calgary after being home in New Brunswick for Christmas, I Skyped with Amanda for nearly 2 hours talking to her about where my head was at. I was easily convinced that this was what I wanted to do. 

And now, 4 months later, I have interviewed, been offered, and accepted a job teaching high school aged students in Beijing, China! CHINA! I'm moving to China, people!!