For those that need some inspiration and motivation
Posted: March 7th, 2014, 8:20 pm
To those that are feeling depressed and need some sort of inspiration/motivation. Here is my story and it's quite long. I understand how you are feeling because I was just like you.
Back in 2004, I was unemployed (for 2 years), didn't have any educational degrees or a girlfriend. I was living with my parents and all I did was play video games everyday. I didn't know where I was headed in the future but I knew I was lonely and wasn't very happy. Also I was very shy and couldn't really talk to girls.
One day I remember stumbling upon a website/advertisement about teaching and living overseas. I had never been overseas before and so I thought maybe I needed a change in environment. I did some research on what I needed in order to teach abroad and found out that I needed at least a bachelor's degree. However to get a degree, I needed money too. So I began researching and writing up a plan. First I needed to get a job and save up money, apply to a university and earn my degree. With a goal set I had something to strive for.
So a few months later I found a job working at a warehouse (graveyard shift) I didn't earn much but I was able to save over $1000 a month while living at home. I worked there for a year and then applied and got accepted into the closest university in January 2005. This allowed me to continue living at home (save money) and work at the warehouse during the weekends.
During this time I was also thinking about where I wanted to teach English. I recall reading newspapers about how China's economy was rising and therefore decided I would teach English and learn Chinese at the same time.
I enrolled in a general BA program and took extra courses during the summer so that was able to graduate in June of 2007. Later on I also enrolled in a TESOL certificate program because I wanted/needed something to make up for my lack of teaching experience.
After graduating I did some research on the job market and found out I could teach at a language school and earn more money or I could teach at a college and earn less money but have more free time. I decided on the latter and eventually found a college in Hangzhou. I found the contact info for the college and emailed them directly. I got a reply a few days later for a phone interview and passed it!
I was ecstatic! It would be my first job abroad. I would be provided housing and I would be teaching 16 hours a week. The position didn't pay much, about $500 a month but the costs of living were much lower in China.
I left Canada in August for China to begin my new life abroad. During my first year in China I was able to make some good Chinese friends there and even a Chinese girlfriend. In this new environment I got phone numbers, talked to girls and laughed easily. It was a great feeling. Back in the west, girls were intimidating and had 'bitch shields' so I never had the courage to talk them
Later on I finished my contract for my first job and and eventually found a better paying position in Shanghai the following year. I was paid twice as much and the job also provided housing as well as utilities. I continued dating the same girl but we eventually broke up because I didn't want kids. Anyway It wasn't long before I met other girls and ended up with my second Chinese girlfriend. She didn't speak English at all but my Chinese was good enough that we didn't have any communication problems.
To review again, I had a plan and stuck to it for almost 4 years until I was able to work abroad. It wasn't something that happened overnight or in a few months. Do some research, make a plan and stick to it, you will thank yourself later. Also learn the local language, it will open doors for your career and women.
On a side note teaching English may not suit all guys but for those like me who don't/can't succeed in having an online business. Teaching allows me to earn money and live abroad. Thanks for reading
Back in 2004, I was unemployed (for 2 years), didn't have any educational degrees or a girlfriend. I was living with my parents and all I did was play video games everyday. I didn't know where I was headed in the future but I knew I was lonely and wasn't very happy. Also I was very shy and couldn't really talk to girls.
One day I remember stumbling upon a website/advertisement about teaching and living overseas. I had never been overseas before and so I thought maybe I needed a change in environment. I did some research on what I needed in order to teach abroad and found out that I needed at least a bachelor's degree. However to get a degree, I needed money too. So I began researching and writing up a plan. First I needed to get a job and save up money, apply to a university and earn my degree. With a goal set I had something to strive for.
So a few months later I found a job working at a warehouse (graveyard shift) I didn't earn much but I was able to save over $1000 a month while living at home. I worked there for a year and then applied and got accepted into the closest university in January 2005. This allowed me to continue living at home (save money) and work at the warehouse during the weekends.
During this time I was also thinking about where I wanted to teach English. I recall reading newspapers about how China's economy was rising and therefore decided I would teach English and learn Chinese at the same time.
I enrolled in a general BA program and took extra courses during the summer so that was able to graduate in June of 2007. Later on I also enrolled in a TESOL certificate program because I wanted/needed something to make up for my lack of teaching experience.
After graduating I did some research on the job market and found out I could teach at a language school and earn more money or I could teach at a college and earn less money but have more free time. I decided on the latter and eventually found a college in Hangzhou. I found the contact info for the college and emailed them directly. I got a reply a few days later for a phone interview and passed it!
I was ecstatic! It would be my first job abroad. I would be provided housing and I would be teaching 16 hours a week. The position didn't pay much, about $500 a month but the costs of living were much lower in China.
I left Canada in August for China to begin my new life abroad. During my first year in China I was able to make some good Chinese friends there and even a Chinese girlfriend. In this new environment I got phone numbers, talked to girls and laughed easily. It was a great feeling. Back in the west, girls were intimidating and had 'bitch shields' so I never had the courage to talk them
Later on I finished my contract for my first job and and eventually found a better paying position in Shanghai the following year. I was paid twice as much and the job also provided housing as well as utilities. I continued dating the same girl but we eventually broke up because I didn't want kids. Anyway It wasn't long before I met other girls and ended up with my second Chinese girlfriend. She didn't speak English at all but my Chinese was good enough that we didn't have any communication problems.
To review again, I had a plan and stuck to it for almost 4 years until I was able to work abroad. It wasn't something that happened overnight or in a few months. Do some research, make a plan and stick to it, you will thank yourself later. Also learn the local language, it will open doors for your career and women.
On a side note teaching English may not suit all guys but for those like me who don't/can't succeed in having an online business. Teaching allows me to earn money and live abroad. Thanks for reading
