Friday, July 13, 2012

Here I go.

Last summer I had a conversation with a friend about what I planned to "do with my life" (What does that even mean anyway?). That I wasn't sure I wanted to be a regular ole elementary school teacher forever (I applaud anyone who is an elementary school teacher - one of the most difficult jobs ever). That maybe I was meant to be doing something else (art? coffee shop owner? professional Pinterest pinner?). I jokingly made a comment that was something along the lines of "maybe I'll just join the Peace Corps".

Fast forward to March of this year. I am sitting in an international and comparative educational policy class at Colorado University - Boulder and finally feel that "yes" feeling. The one that inside screams "This is it! This is what I'm suppose to be doing!". Working in schools at the global level, trying to understand what role culture and location play into the educational experience. My professor was amazing - think Kris Kringle meets Mother Theresa. Well-traveled with so many stories to share, that's Professor Kraft. 

After a particularly taxing day teaching fourth grade in the Rocky Mountains, I came home completely drained. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. Some of my friends call it the "two year itch" ( due to the fact that I have not lived in a location more than a couple of years in quite awhile) - well, whatever it was was gnawing at me...it seemed to try to be getting me to listen. How could I go abroad, teach, work in schools and learn about different cultures? The Peace Corps. 

So I applied. 

And two days ago I found out that I am moving. Moving to the Kingdom of Tonga to be a Primary English Teacher. I depart on September 2, 2012 for Tonga. 

This blog is meant to chronicle my journey. Though I'm not sure when/if/how often I'll be able to update it.  I hope it's a place where I can try and organize my thoughts, to make sense of this amazing experience... to share with you what I learn. I'm excited to teach the children of Tonga and equally as excited to see what they will teach me. My world is about to get turned upside down and I couldn't be more nervous and thrilled.

This image was borrowed from National Geographic.

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