Going overseas

[ShiroiHikari]

My husband and I have a dream.

That dream is to go overseas to Asia to teach English.

A really great opportunity has recently presented itself to go to China and teach. We would be getting a personal recommendation from friends and our friend can personally vouch for the school in terms of honesty and helpfulness of the staff. Basically, this eliminates a lot of the problems and uncertainties we would face when trying to go overseas.

Problem is, if we took this opportunity, we'd have to leave the US in August. Being able to fly there and have money to survive on while waiting for the first paycheck would require us to raise a couple thousand dollars in a very short amount of time.

We also have a credit card that will either need to be paid off before we go or have enough money in our account to pay the minimums every month while we're overseas.

With our current living expenses-- rent, food, internet, etc. -- we are unable to save much money and only have about $550 in our savings account. I still need to shell out about $140 for a US Passport.

The bottom line is, we just really need some help if we're going to be able to do this. I just don't know where to turn or what to do.

My husband's family is not supportive of the idea at all, so we can't get help from them. My father and his wife make even less money than we do, so I wouldn't dream of asking them for help.

We also don't have a home church. I've attended church with my friends a few times over the past couple of years, but my husband is almost always working and can't attend. I would not feel right asking that church for help when they don't even know us, and we're not members there.

I just really need a sign from God telling us if we should even bother pursuing this or not. If this isn't what He wants, then I'd really rather He just close the door and let us know that going overseas is not in His plan. I mean, I don't WANT the door to be closed. I want to go. But if it's not what God wants, then I want to know now. You know...before I sell everything I own in order to raise money.

Also, any advice anyone may have on the subject would be quite appreciated.

[Atria35]

Praying for you. I wish I had some advice for you.

[Nanao]

Praying for you for wisdom and guidance. If God wants you to go then he will provide a way. It's nerve wracking, I know. Is the school willing to help with any of your expenses? Would you be able to get a loan of some kind?

[goldenspines]

I'll be praying. I also wish I could offer advice to help you out. *hugs*

[Hiryu]

An interesting dream. What made you decide on pursuing this?

What experience do you have teaching english as a foreign language? Have you taken classes on the subject?

It sounds like you're willing to teach no matter which country in Asia.

There's a program called JET, if you're interested in japan. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JET_Programme)

EPIK is for Korea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPIK)

There's also one for South Korea, specifically. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GEPIK)

Check out TESOL (http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/index.asp)

Have you thought about teaching in California or even Hawaii?

[Nami]

I'm praying for you, this must be a hard time. I hope everything goes well! this would be a wonderful opportunity!