The Night Before
(Originally posted July 2015)
Almost a year ago, I started to get serious about following my dream to move abroad. I often told myself that I would take a year off to travel, live and work in another country when I became tenured in the school district. Wanting that job security seemed like a smart plan. Teaching at Green Central has been my heart and soul and I loved my students and colleagues, in spite of the other ups and downs thrown at us. So, part of me kept delaying the idea, until, one day last August, it just seemed right.
Over the fall months, I started my research. I looked into different schools and cities. I created a spreadsheet detailing the information about each location: population, teacher support, weather, plane ticket costs, academic program, everything. I watched each school’s recruitment video and browsed their websites. I had some“coaching” from a coworker who had taught in Colombia and spoke with friends about the various cities I was considering. I had a several “pre-interviews” with choice schools and by December, I had a top choice picked out.
In January, I attended the University of Northern Iowa international teaching job fair. My bag was packed with my most professional outfit, multiple copies of my resume and letters of recommendation, and rankings of the various schools to which I was applying. Together with a fellow lumberjack and international job seeker, we dove into the opportunities at the fair. After a frantic round robin of sign ups, the interviews began. I was so relieved when my top choice offered me the job at the end of the interview! I’d be the next fourth grade teacher at the American School Foundation of Guadalajara.
In the spring, I enjoyed the last few months with my students at Green Central and with friends in Minneapolis. Slowly plans developed for moving out of the Fremont house, selling off my furniture and making arrangements for storage.
Once summer vacation hit, most of my free days contained some level of preparing to move: doctors visits before the insurance ran out, paperwork at the Mexican consulate, shopping, selling my car, setting up a garage sale, hang out with favorite people and organizing an awesome goodbye party. I savored many moments with the teachers, friends and especially the roommates. I’m so appreciative of the encouraging and loving people I have in my life.
A week ago, my dad picked me up in Minneapolis with a van. My dad, my cousin and I loaded up the boxes destined for Guadalajara and the boxes for storage of winter gear and classroom books for my parent’s basement in Madison. During that time in Madison, I was able to spend time with my parents, and friends, and with my parent’s friends that have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. And of course, a trip to Madison wouldn’t be complete without some logrolling in Lake Wingra.
This last night has been filled with little errands, like the required last trip to Walgreens. As I stuffed and zipped the last suitcase, my mom made my favorite dinner. Through the whole process, I’m most appreciative of the support of my family in encouraging bold adventures. Next stop, Guadalajara.