teaching overseas - then returning years later

Nottoobadyet

Im younger than you (now 25) but left home to move abroad about 10 years ago. I certainly had ideas then (and along the way!) of what I would be doing and where I'd end up, but its actually been a wonderful, unpredictable adventure.

I started by moving to Israel, and expected to stay there forever. I met a man and was very happy. After doing my BA I thought I'd go to the UK for a year to do a Masters - and ended up spending 4 years and working for an organization which Im passionate about. The man followed me, but when I wanted to move overseas again we split. Im now finishing 2.5 years in Uganda, and about to start a new placement (same employer) in Papua New Guinea. Have a wonderful new man now who I hope to stay with for many years to come.

So you cant predict over the long term, especially when you are having an exciting international life. Do it now and stay true to yourself, but let the winds take you because thats what makes an international life so full. You may come out the other end with more close friends, and with the opportunity to meet more people that share your wonderlust may well meet a partner.

And holidays - do what it says on the tin, take a holiday and enjoy Asia, its such an incredible part of the world!

Bigmoney2

Nottoobadyet wrote: »

Im younger than you (now 25) but left home to move abroad about 10 years ago. I certainly had ideas then (and along the way!) of what I would be doing and where I'd end up, but its actually been a wonderful, unpredictable adventure.

I started by moving to Israel, and expected to stay there forever. I met a man and was very happy. After doing my BA I thought I'd go to the UK for a year to do a Masters - and ended up spending 4 years and working for an organization which Im passionate about. The man followed me, but when I wanted to move overseas again we split. Im now finishing 2.5 years in Uganda, and about to start a new placement (same employer) in Papua New Guinea. Have a wonderful new man now who I hope to stay with for many years to come.

So you cant predict over the long term, especially when you are having an exciting international life. Do it now and stay true to yourself, but let the winds take you because thats what makes an international life so full. You may come out the other end with more close friends, and with the opportunity to meet more people that share your wonderlust may well meet a partner.

And holidays - do what it says on the tin, take a holiday and enjoy Asia, its such an incredible part of the world!

I was going to suggest the same, 3 months off a year, great for touring NZ/OZ, India, USA etc, assuming the money and inclination.

If you do come back, and need accomodation, how about house sitting, or sometime Uni halls are a cheap option during summer, tour in a cheap caravan or motorhome for a few months.

Hope you have a great adventure

LondonDiva

zagubov wrote: »

Check out the other threads on here about legally staying on the electoral roll in the UK so you're not treated as a non-EEA citizen on return and keep all your rights re: benefits, NHS etc. Could be important.

It's worth noting that you lose all entitlement to NHS services if you are abroad form more than three months (there are v few exemptions to this - in the forces, attached to an embassy etc).

If you are deemed to have returned to live permanently, you will then resume your entitlement but may be asked to prove it. The majority of those exploiting this aspect of the loosely enforced part of the regulations tend to be expats in Spain who don't pay into the system here or there, but jet in for treatment.

Most important thing you can do going forward is to double check that you have proper medical insurance and travel insurance tailored to your specific circumstances.

Wishing you all the best on what sounds like an amazing adventure.

zagubov

LondonDiva wrote: »

It's worth noting that you lose all entitlement to NHS services if you are abroad form more than three months (there are v few exemptions to this - in the forces, attached to an embassy etc).

If you are deemed to have returned to live permanently, you will then resume your entitlement but may be asked to prove it. The majority of those exploiting this aspect of the loosely enforced part of the regulations tend to be expats in Spain who don't pay into the system here or there, but jet in for treatment.

Most important thing you can do going forward is to double check that you have proper medical insurance and travel insurance tailored to your specific circumstances.

Wishing you all the best on what sounds like an amazing adventure.

Good info. Another reason for maintaining a legal address in the UK electoral roll is for credit history, if you need to apply for credit cards on your return you need to be careful to show you're established here. Keeping a financial footprint here may turn out to be important. Check some of the other threads.

alyth

Wow thanks for all your replies, I really appreciate them. Sorry for not replying sooner, been spending the day with my parents. I'm using their address for things like credit cards, bank statements, so that is some sort of financial footprint in Scotland. I've arranged the best medical and travel insurance you can possibly think of, I'm a little paranoid about that as there are many horror stories on the teaching and expat forums.

Londondiva can you clarify that the lose of entitlement to NHS services is right - I hadn't heard of that before so will look into it now. I have to take thyroxine tablets as I had my thyroid removed over 20 years ago, and whilst I'm planning on taking out 6 months' supply and will register with a doctor wherever I am placed by my company, that's an issue that I hadn't heard of/thought of before. Thyroxine is a world-wide drug so I don't anticipate not getting it in China, I've checked with my local pharmacy and my GP. However it does make absolute sense that if someone is abroad for years and then suddenly requires treatment, it's a absolute cheek to think that the NHS that they hadn't contributed any taxes to for many years should pay for it.

I'm keeping my UK bank account so that should also help to maintain contact in the UK, and there will be money being paid into it each month (not from China, from another source).

Pollypenny, I still read the Sun every day, even students need a bit of downtime ;-) it is a massive adventure, scary for sure, but it's better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all is what I tell myself!

I really really appreciate your replies, a few things to thing of, which was the point of making the post, to get ideas and opinions on things I may not have thought about.

Bluemeanie_2

You're worrying far too much. You could be dead tomorrow. You've worked hard. Go to China for the time being and go from there. A lot can happy in 15 years.

Best of luck. xxx

alyth

Bluemeanie wrote: »

You're worrying far too much. You could be dead tomorrow. You've worked hard. Go to China for the time being and go from there. A lot can happy in 15 years.

Best of luck. xxx

I know - I work 15 hours at the weekend, i have lots of time to worry about things ;-) no the replies gave me an insight into things I hadn't thought of before, that was my reason for posting and I'm very grateful for the replies. I'm off, trust me, I went to uni specifically to get my degree to teach in China so I'm not giving up, in I think 47 sleeps I'll be on the plane :-)

zagubov

alyth wrote: »

Wow thanks for all your replies, I really appreciate them. Sorry for not replying sooner, been spending the day with my parents. I'm using their address for things like credit cards, bank statements, so that is some sort of financial footprint in Scotland. I've arranged the best medical and travel insurance you can possibly think of, I'm a little paranoid about that as there are many horror stories on the teaching and expat forums.

Londondiva can you clarify that the lose of entitlement to NHS services is right - I hadn't heard of that before so will look into it now. I have to take thyroxine tablets as I had my thyroid removed over 20 years ago, and whilst I'm planning on taking out 6 months' supply and will register with a doctor wherever I am placed by my company, that's an issue that I hadn't heard of/thought of before. Thyroxine is a world-wide drug so I don't anticipate not getting it in China, I've checked with my local pharmacy and my GP. However it does make absolute sense that if someone is abroad for years and then suddenly requires treatment, it's a absolute cheek to think that the NHS that they hadn't contributed any taxes to for many years should pay for it.

I'm keeping my UK bank account so that should also help to maintain contact in the UK, and there will be money being paid into it each month (not from China, from another source).

Pollypenny, I still read the Sun every day, even students need a bit of downtime ;-) it is a massive adventure, scary for sure, but it's better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all is what I tell myself!

I really really appreciate your replies, a few things to thing of, which was the point of making the post, to get ideas and opinions on things I may not have thought about.

You're giving all the right answers that show you're making this decision with your head as well as your heart and this bodes well. Find out what expats do for pensions and medical care, by all means. When you come back from asia I'd be tempted to do more TEFL around the med or wherever.

There's one massive plus to what you're doing that nobody may be talking about, but I'll mention it. The rest of us who're staying put will find time passes faster and faster as we get older. One of the ways of slowing this down is learning a new language. People who try new things, new languages and establish new lives for themselves apparently don't find this speeding up effect and therefore get much more life out of their years.
You can't put a price on that. :beer:

alyth

zagubov wrote: »

You're giving all the right answers that show you're making this decision with your head as well as your heart and this bodes well. Find out what expats do for pensions and medical care, by all means. When you come back from asia I'd be tempted to do more TEFL around the med or wherever.

There's one massive plus to what you're doing that nobody may be talking about, but I'll mention it. The rest of us who're staying put will find time passes faster and faster as we get older. One of the ways of slowing this down is learning a new language. People who try new things, new languages and establish new lives for themselves apparently don't find this speeding up effect and therefore get much more life out of their years.
You can't put a price on that. :beer:

I went to uni with the specific goal of getting my degree so I could teach in China, so for 3 years I've researched and planned for this. perhaps with six weeks to go my wobble is expected. I've also spent two years learning mandarin via skype lessons and spent a month at uni out there two years ago, studying mandarin (and history). I posted because I knew at some point someone would bring up an issue that I hadn't thought of, and that happened and I'm so grateful for it. Trust me, I've gone through hell and high water to achieve my goal, I came out of a very long relationship 5 years ago, this is my dream and I am sooooooooo close to reaching it.

marisco_2

Well done on attaining your degree. That is a massive achievement and something you should be extremely proud of. It is totally natural to feel a few wobbles when you are embarking on such a huge life change. Embrace it though and enjoy all the new wonderful experiences and opportunities that are coming your way. This is what you have worked so hard for. Never be afraid to try something new, because life can get boring if you stay within the limits of what you are familiar with.