at a crossroads...
please contact me if you have any advice. I really need an outside perspective. email: berry1der@gmail.com
I really want to go to Taiwan, and live there for a bit. I wanna learn Mandarin in an immersive environment.
I have three choices:
1: Apply to a language training center (with scholarship)
2: Apply to be an English teacher and take lessons in the evening
3: Do nothing and stay in the US, and finally move out.
There is no guarantee that I'll get the scholarship, and no guarantee I'll get a job; i have no teaching experience. Just my linguistics degree.
I want to stay in Asia long-term. I'm hoping to find a career overseas, but I really don't think life works out that well.
I've saved for a year. I have enough to last me maybe 6 months in Taiwan with no job. I could go there first, then try to figure things out on a 90-day tourist visa, but I won't. I don't know anyone there and I don't speak the language well enough. I'll have to live in a hotel or AirBnB, and that's expensive.
I don't know what do to. Maybe I made the wrong choice not getting a better degree? Maybe there would be a better path. I'm so lost.
I could do 1 and 2
The deadline for the scholarship is approaching and I only have 1 of 2 required recommendation letters. The Deadline is March 31 and results come out in June. I don't even know who to ask to write a letter.
I have to start applying for an English teaching job in March. They might get me a position before I learn if I get the scholarship. But I much prefer the scholarship. I love being a student.
I told myself that I'll regret not taking the leap, but as I'm writing my application, I'm reminded of my failure to be awarded the Fulbright Taiwan Teaching scholarship I applied to 2 years go. I was devastated. If I don't get a job offer and I don't get the scholarship, it'll make me realize the idea of having a choice was an illusion.
I will be inconsolable.
Am I lying to myself thinking I have a shot of making it in Asia? the US is huge, I could just move here. No visas and no language barrier. But, I really miss being in Asia, even though i was only there for a short time. I hate being at this age where I can technically try everything. No kids, no husband, no health issues, and a savings. I don't even pay rent right now, I live with my parents!
Why would I throw that all away for a small shot of living out my life in Taiwan or Hong Kong or even South Korea? Making a low salary, and my status being dependent on renewing a visa every year? There's no logical reason. So why do I want to do it so badly?