The Next Step: Prague
Hello all,
I could say how there isn't a whole lot to write about in Ogallala, and for the most part there isn't, but that's not always what blogging is about. However, for the most part there just hasn't been much to say. I try to write when I can think of something worthwhile worth re-telling, but otherwise I tend to refrain.
But in this lapse, there certainly are developments to recount. In my last entry, I wrote about the importance of taking chances in life, and as a matter of fact I was writing that mostly just to pump myself up to apply for a job. A job teaching English more specifically. With an organization in Prague, to not point too fine a point on it, actually.
And it turns out I've been accepted into the program. So, Europe, here I come!
By mid-September I will be starting a new adventure in a new land, learning a new language, with a new job. I can't tell you that much about it, except that I'll first be getting certified in a month long course, and afterwards, if I pass the class, they organization (TEFL InPrague) will help me find a job. I'll be working with intermediate-level students, which suits me fine. I also am not sure how long I'll be teaching, but I figure I'll give it at least a year and then we'll see.
I've been very reluctant about applying because I don't know how much I'd like teaching, but I decided that I can't get anywhere by just thinking about it and taking no actions. So there it goes.
Many of my friends already know about this, but not everyone, and a few in Europe don't know yet (Orsi!). But in brief, that's what will be happening.
It's been a rather stressful decision. I attended a Peace Corps career conference in DC which stressed government jobs. And there is quite a bit to be said for them but I didn't feel pulled in that direction and at the same time I felt guilty I wasn't pulled in that direction. I also met a lot of very cool people there, other RPCVs like, to just name a few, Anne, Juliana, Sarah, and NM who has an awesome laugh. And I felt conflicted that I should rather spend time in that part of the country where many of them seemed to be going for the time being; the young and the energetic.
DC was a city I felt uncomfortable in though. I was only there for 4 days or so and I liked it, but I got the impression it was blasting on all cylinders (which isn't a terribly profound impression I realize) and was, well, very professional, whereas I tend to angle towards the more casual. I was surprised how much I liked wearing a suit that I needed for an evening out there, and how much I liked dressing up in general. But the city felt a little stifling and neurotic for me. I can see myself living and working there, but I don't think it'd be my first choice.
That wasn't the reason why I decided to apply for the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) job though. It was simply out of the thirst for more adventure and life abroad. It simply boiled down to that. I felt like the little compass in me was spinning out yonder, pointing its magnetic wheel at the world beyond the USA, once more.
And sometimes you simply have to follow that compass.
Getting some paperwork for my Visa has been harrowing. I sent in a copy of my diploma to the Secretary of State - Notary Division in Lincoln, NE nearly a month ago. Four times they told me how to get my diploma notarized and apostilled (having a photocopy made official I think is what that means). Four times they rejected it after I follow their directions. Finally I drove down to Lincoln (a six-seven hour drive round-trip) and presented them with the signed form they mailed to me. The form had both my signature and that of a representative person from my university. The lady in the Notary Division looked at the form, wondered why my signature was on it at all, told me there was a better form I should use but no matter, and then stamped it. The whole time spent in in the office was less than five minutes. It took a month to get there.
Maybe choosing to work abroad was a better decision than I initially thought.
I also finally got a camera. Long-time readers might remember my camera, computer and e-reader were stolen in Peru. After over a year of being cameraless, I decided to take the plunge and by a DSLR, a type of camera with interchangeable lenses and allows me much much more control over pictures than I've ever had before. Finally after four years I can easily and manually focus on exactly what I want to focus on! Joy joy!
It's a much more advanced camera than any I've ever had, but it's also one that that I'll be able to use for years, and I'm sure I'll be able to learn a lot from it.
So that's where things are right now. I apologize for the delay if anyone has been waiting to hear an update, and perhaps I'll be moved to write more regularly, as I initially did when I was in a more fast-paced environment in Germany and in my last year in college.
I hope everyone is well.
Cheers,
Tristan Foy
I could say how there isn't a whole lot to write about in Ogallala, and for the most part there isn't, but that's not always what blogging is about. However, for the most part there just hasn't been much to say. I try to write when I can think of something worthwhile worth re-telling, but otherwise I tend to refrain.
But in this lapse, there certainly are developments to recount. In my last entry, I wrote about the importance of taking chances in life, and as a matter of fact I was writing that mostly just to pump myself up to apply for a job. A job teaching English more specifically. With an organization in Prague, to not point too fine a point on it, actually.
And it turns out I've been accepted into the program. So, Europe, here I come!
By mid-September I will be starting a new adventure in a new land, learning a new language, with a new job. I can't tell you that much about it, except that I'll first be getting certified in a month long course, and afterwards, if I pass the class, they organization (TEFL InPrague) will help me find a job. I'll be working with intermediate-level students, which suits me fine. I also am not sure how long I'll be teaching, but I figure I'll give it at least a year and then we'll see.
I've been very reluctant about applying because I don't know how much I'd like teaching, but I decided that I can't get anywhere by just thinking about it and taking no actions. So there it goes.
Many of my friends already know about this, but not everyone, and a few in Europe don't know yet (Orsi!). But in brief, that's what will be happening.
It's been a rather stressful decision. I attended a Peace Corps career conference in DC which stressed government jobs. And there is quite a bit to be said for them but I didn't feel pulled in that direction and at the same time I felt guilty I wasn't pulled in that direction. I also met a lot of very cool people there, other RPCVs like, to just name a few, Anne, Juliana, Sarah, and NM who has an awesome laugh. And I felt conflicted that I should rather spend time in that part of the country where many of them seemed to be going for the time being; the young and the energetic.
DC was a city I felt uncomfortable in though. I was only there for 4 days or so and I liked it, but I got the impression it was blasting on all cylinders (which isn't a terribly profound impression I realize) and was, well, very professional, whereas I tend to angle towards the more casual. I was surprised how much I liked wearing a suit that I needed for an evening out there, and how much I liked dressing up in general. But the city felt a little stifling and neurotic for me. I can see myself living and working there, but I don't think it'd be my first choice.
That wasn't the reason why I decided to apply for the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) job though. It was simply out of the thirst for more adventure and life abroad. It simply boiled down to that. I felt like the little compass in me was spinning out yonder, pointing its magnetic wheel at the world beyond the USA, once more.
And sometimes you simply have to follow that compass.
Getting some paperwork for my Visa has been harrowing. I sent in a copy of my diploma to the Secretary of State - Notary Division in Lincoln, NE nearly a month ago. Four times they told me how to get my diploma notarized and apostilled (having a photocopy made official I think is what that means). Four times they rejected it after I follow their directions. Finally I drove down to Lincoln (a six-seven hour drive round-trip) and presented them with the signed form they mailed to me. The form had both my signature and that of a representative person from my university. The lady in the Notary Division looked at the form, wondered why my signature was on it at all, told me there was a better form I should use but no matter, and then stamped it. The whole time spent in in the office was less than five minutes. It took a month to get there.
Maybe choosing to work abroad was a better decision than I initially thought.
I also finally got a camera. Long-time readers might remember my camera, computer and e-reader were stolen in Peru. After over a year of being cameraless, I decided to take the plunge and by a DSLR, a type of camera with interchangeable lenses and allows me much much more control over pictures than I've ever had before. Finally after four years I can easily and manually focus on exactly what I want to focus on! Joy joy!
It's a much more advanced camera than any I've ever had, but it's also one that that I'll be able to use for years, and I'm sure I'll be able to learn a lot from it.
So that's where things are right now. I apologize for the delay if anyone has been waiting to hear an update, and perhaps I'll be moved to write more regularly, as I initially did when I was in a more fast-paced environment in Germany and in my last year in college.
I hope everyone is well.
Cheers,
Tristan Foy
posted by Tristan | 9:24 PM
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