A fantastic experience

Studying abroad.

Years come and years go. Time blows your hair back when you sit in quiet reflection and contemplate your dreams and your journeys. Realisation creeps in like the cold North wind creeps into your bones.

About a year and a half ago, I found myself having a few of these reflective moments, not by choice, but by Universal strategy. It was like the Universe (which I understand to be my higher self) conspired against my perception.

I had just moved to a new country, for love. Everything was marvellous, except for the fact that I couldn't find a job. The worst thing was, that I couldn't find a job because I couldn't speak the native language of the country I had moved to.
The plus side was that I finally managed to do everything I never the had time to do. I attacked my hobbies, art, dancing, exploring and everything else I never thought I would do. This was great and all, but somewhere along the line you need that piece of paper we all receive in exchange for our time and effort.
One morning whilst I was having another late pyjama/yoga morning I found myself in pigeon pose feeling rather despondent.
All my life I had been an independent workaholic. Now I was stuck at home in a new country, with nothing to do. How unsettling!
I Yin posed it out until I found the right question. What do you really want to do with your life? What is your career dream?
I pigeon posed the other leg for an answer… Nothing.
It was then in strong bandha downward facing dog where the idea entered my being like a Universal electric shock.
They say, that when you die, your life flashes in front of your eyes. When I rolled over and surrendered into corpse pose, my ignored dreams flashed in front of me like a movie.

I always wanted to teach English. I have always deeply loved the language.

It was a dream I had already put off for 10 years by then.
The funny thing is that I had saved the information about the TEFL course all those years. It's something that always found me somehow, I just never had the time or money to pursue it.

I got up at that point grabbed the inspiration by the hand and ran to my PC.
I researched, pulled up all the information and compared notes and courses.
There was so much room for activity. So many possibilities. I was thrilled.
That evening I laid out all the information on the dinner table. My confused husband sat quietly and listened to me. Once I had pitched my idea, he patiently smiled and with full support worked out the best option for me.
My choice was simple. If I was going to be an English language teacher, I wanted to have as much experience as possible. I wanted to experience another culture. I wanted to explore phonetic challenges and solutions, and a change of scenery was absolutely necessary for focus. ;)

Destination: Koh Samui, Thailand. TEFL course, September.

I contacted TEFL, Koh Samui. Rosanne Turner was absolutely amazing. She was so helpful and incredibly thorough with all the information. Even though I was getting on an aeroplane, all on my own and embarking on a journey to a place I had never been to, for 4 weeks, I felt at ease because of the detailed information and support.

Upon arrival, I felt like an adventurer on a fascinating journey. Especially considering that I arrived empty handed as my luggage got lost in Bankok.
It was warm and messy and the locals were so friendly and full of peace.
I arrived at my bungalow which was also organised by Rosanne. It was comfortably situated across the street from the school. How convenient. It had air-conditioning, wooden floors, bugs, frogs, birds, a wildish garden with beautiful flowers and a very helpful owner. It was perfect.

The next day I arrived for the first day of the course. We met our mentor Kathryn Webb.
From the very beginning, this woman blew my mind. She is a fountain of knowledge and inspiration. Her crystal blue eyes put you in your place, but her kindness and professionalism are in perfect balance with her easy going island vibe. There was honestly not one day where I felt that I couldn't ask her anything. She was very supportive and intensely thorough within this super intensive course. When I say that this course was intensive, I really mean it. It's a lot of information and a lot of hard work. The thing is, however when you love what you're doing and you're working towards a dream, the work becomes a dance, and as you know, dancing can make your feet hurt from time to time. I loved every minute of it.

This journey was truly full of surprises, challenges and so much more. Most people do something like this to travel or to meet new people etc. I showed up with only one thing in mind, and that was to learn, expectation was not on my list. What I experienced in return was connection, not only with amazing people but connection with myself, my dreams and connection with a magical island called Koh Samui.

I would recommend it to anyone.

Point your perception towards your dreams. What are your needs?
Live them and be inspired.