Abu Dhabi Life Change

The last time I wrote, I pondered my next big life adventure – the one I wasn’t always certain would happen, but had been placed in the ‘maybe pile’. The opportunity I’d consider seriously in a time of need- during a sort of existential crisis where big changes needed to happen.

The “next adventure” phase of my life moved from the ‘maybe pile’ to the ‘most definitely’ pile about a year ago.  I was in Cambodia and Hong Kong with my Senior High students on a two-week humanitarian and cultural travel studies experience. What I learned here shaped the decision I recently made to become a teacher in an international school. For those who want to know how it happened, read ahead. This also doubles as my blog entry for these countries, which I’ve never actually submitted. Oops. 

CLICHÉ(S) ALERT(S): it was my first time in Asia, and I was absolutely taken aback. The locale was playing its part as much as the thrill that comes with seeing a new part of the world for the very first time. Cambodia made me curious, made me wonder, made me question.

It is hard to put into words a description of this dramatic country. Much like many other states in its political and economic reality, it is marked by a tragic history, which in many respects still haunts it to this day. Our tour guide in Phnom Penh shared personal accounts of the Khmer Rouge’s brutal regime. As a toddler, he lost his father, who had failed to conceal his true identity to the Khmer Rouge soldiers. His father had been a doctor; as an intellectual, he had been an early target of the perpetrators. While most of Cambodia’s population is under the age of 30, and thus too young to have lived through the massacre that happened here in the 70s, its legacy is still felt.

We were soon off to Siem Reap, where our tour of the area began with a boat excursion to the floating village. On our way there, our guide cautions us to not give money to the young beggars that will accost our boat. Children that are begging for money are not in school, where they should be. Giving them money is essentially enabling this practice, a very unsustainable and in reality detrimental way of ‘helping’, even though our intentions are well placed.

Our time here was also spent working at a local orphanage, rebuilding a kitchen more suitable for place the dozens of young children called home. Always a highlight of our travel experiences, our students love connecting with the locals and creating a more authentic learning opportunity than that of peering through the windows of a tour bus.

After our time at the orphanage, we spent our last few days here visiting Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, among other awe-inspiring temples and sites. I simply cannot say enough about this place. Honestly. It’s incredible. The contradiction of stunning beauty and dire poverty is striking and is part of the intense learning that happens here. What I LOVE about travel studies opportunities is to see how much is learned by the students, and by us too! An opportunity to step out of one’s comfort zone has always been my preferred method of learning.

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

Cambodia was shaping up to be an insightful trip and an opportunity to re-evaluate where my life was heading (long bus rides and one-on-one time with my iPod tend to send me into a reflective state). I was lucky enough to be roomed with my colleague and friend, Jessica, who had taught in the Middle East for a number of years before returning to Calgary with her family. Completely re-enamoured with the idea of becoming a traveling teacher, I asked her about her experiences. She whole-heartedly recommended that I pursue this opportunity, sharing her own experiences and expertise. As if on cue, our time in Asia was wrapped up with a one-night stay in Hong Kong, where we toured a Canadian International School. I was sold. Next year, I’ll begin pursuing international school opportunities.

“Next Year’s” days, weeks and months quickly transpired, when I found myself comfortably resettled in my Calgary routine. To say that I am unhappy here would be completely erroneous. Spend but a few minutes in the company of people I surround myself here, and you would understand why. I am inspired daily by my colleagues and friends, and love the work environment I have so fortunately found myself in. It was the same comfort that I was happy to return to after my time on Class Afloat.

The stability of my routine here made it more and more difficult to remember why I’d been so resolved to step out of my comfort zone and teach internationally just one year ago. I sometimes struggle with striking a balance between embracing and appreciating all of which I am fortunate enough to have here with my desire to take a leap of faith and embark on a new adventure.

The decision to apply to the Canadian International School in Abu Dhabi came on a whim one day. I had spruced up my resumé with my friend Hailey’s help in an attempt to woo New York City schools into hiring me. This thought, though far-fetched, has been a dream of mine ever since I first explored the Empire State. After hitting ‘send’ on an application to a particularly prestigious school, I recognized that this was a veiled attempt at actually pursuing a tangible life change. Why was I not pursuing a more plausible opportunity?

Having a shiny new Hailey-approved resumé, I searched and serendipitously stumbled upon CIS job openings. I sent in my application, keeping my fingers crossed for this opportunity that I suddenly found myself incredibly excited to pursue. Through researching the school and area, it seemed to be a perfect fit for the direction my life was effortlessly pushing me in.

Two days later, I was scheduled in for an interview the following week. I went in, confident that I was ready for this personal and professional opportunity. At the end of the week, I received news that I was being offered a contract. LIFE DECISION MADE! No longer on the ‘most definitely’ pile, a move to Abu Dhabi is happening late August.

Though it saddens me to leave my friends and colleagues, I trust that Calgary will always be a place I can return to and reintegrate in seamlessly. My gut is telling me that this life decision will be of the most enriching and fulfilling kind. I have no idea what is in store for me, but I know that I’m ready for it! I am excited to learn what this new adventure will bring. I hope you’ll follow along with me! J