Expat career change?
Discussion
Hi. This is my first posting in this section so i'll get straight to the point, i'm in a bit of a fix about what to do in the future!
Some background narrative is probably necessary to fill in the back story so to speak! So here goes.....
The usual life story up to age 18 then history/English degree from Exeter university followed by several years working in car sales, telesales, and admin. Then back to university to pass a PGCE and i found myself teaching in a really rough secondary school in Portsmouth. What followed was 5 years of endless verbal abuse, physical violence, and senseless paperwork designed to get teachers to jump through one hoop into another!! However, despite all that i loved being a teacher, there was something magical about inspiring kids to believe in themselves when everyone else had told them they were useless. I found that i was a 'natural teacher' i had a talent for teaching and loved teaching history and English. However, in 1997 i got married to a French girl i'd met whilst i was teaching in Portsmouth. A new life and a new direction began for me.
Well here we are 19 years down the road and a lot of water has passed under the bridge; numerous part time and full time jobs in secondary and higher education over here in France, surviving getting knocked down by a speeding motorist ( 15 fractures), learning to walk again, getting fired from my full time job the day after the accident, a horrific crash on my mountain bike ( another 4 fractures!), and most importantly 2 wonderful children ( 13 and 18 ) who are the most important people in my life. Unfortunately, got divorced last year after a really difficult split, i lost my wife, my house, all my in laws and all the family friends, and i find myself wondering where to go from here. I've spent the last 11 years teaching baccalaureat level English and history full time in a private international school and EFL part time in a local university. I've taught every possible level, every class from aged 11 to 21 and even adults. You name it i've done it, but because i never passed the French equivalent of the PGCE i don't have the same years of service i find my standard of living and therefore my quality of life has gone down. Unfortunately, after living over here for the past 19 years the gap between those employees working in the big state owned companies or as state civil servants, and those of us who don't has only widened.
So here i am now wondering what to do. Stay where i am and see my children grow up every day, but every month see my bank balance suffering more and more from the cost of living, or re -train so that i can finally live comfortably.
I've acquired a huge amount of skills in my working life, educationally and otherwise, and i'm sure a lot of teaching skills are transferable to other careers, but i'm really stuck as to where to go from here. Any ideas? I've thought about all sorts of educational/tutoring teaching to re training in media studies/e commerce or web design.
Some background narrative is probably necessary to fill in the back story so to speak! So here goes.....
The usual life story up to age 18 then history/English degree from Exeter university followed by several years working in car sales, telesales, and admin. Then back to university to pass a PGCE and i found myself teaching in a really rough secondary school in Portsmouth. What followed was 5 years of endless verbal abuse, physical violence, and senseless paperwork designed to get teachers to jump through one hoop into another!! However, despite all that i loved being a teacher, there was something magical about inspiring kids to believe in themselves when everyone else had told them they were useless. I found that i was a 'natural teacher' i had a talent for teaching and loved teaching history and English. However, in 1997 i got married to a French girl i'd met whilst i was teaching in Portsmouth. A new life and a new direction began for me.
Well here we are 19 years down the road and a lot of water has passed under the bridge; numerous part time and full time jobs in secondary and higher education over here in France, surviving getting knocked down by a speeding motorist ( 15 fractures), learning to walk again, getting fired from my full time job the day after the accident, a horrific crash on my mountain bike ( another 4 fractures!), and most importantly 2 wonderful children ( 13 and 18 ) who are the most important people in my life. Unfortunately, got divorced last year after a really difficult split, i lost my wife, my house, all my in laws and all the family friends, and i find myself wondering where to go from here. I've spent the last 11 years teaching baccalaureat level English and history full time in a private international school and EFL part time in a local university. I've taught every possible level, every class from aged 11 to 21 and even adults. You name it i've done it, but because i never passed the French equivalent of the PGCE i don't have the same years of service i find my standard of living and therefore my quality of life has gone down. Unfortunately, after living over here for the past 19 years the gap between those employees working in the big state owned companies or as state civil servants, and those of us who don't has only widened.
So here i am now wondering what to do. Stay where i am and see my children grow up every day, but every month see my bank balance suffering more and more from the cost of living, or re -train so that i can finally live comfortably.
I've acquired a huge amount of skills in my working life, educationally and otherwise, and i'm sure a lot of teaching skills are transferable to other careers, but i'm really stuck as to where to go from here. Any ideas? I've thought about all sorts of educational/tutoring teaching to re training in media studies/e commerce or web design.
Edited by rosbif77 on Monday 28th March 15:03
Hi. Thanks for replying. To answer your question, yes i would love to relocate. I'm 'only' 49 and feel full of life despite the last 2 years being hell.
My only concern is my children. My son is off to university in September in Paris, but my daughter is 13 and in the equivalent of year 8 over here.
I gave myself one year to get over the divorce and it's toxic fallout and another year to sort out my future.
I've got no roots here now since they were all ripped out by the divorce! Therefore moving on to something else shouldn't be a problem.
I'm open to suggestions.
My only concern is my children. My son is off to university in September in Paris, but my daughter is 13 and in the equivalent of year 8 over here.
I gave myself one year to get over the divorce and it's toxic fallout and another year to sort out my future.
I've got no roots here now since they were all ripped out by the divorce! Therefore moving on to something else shouldn't be a problem.
I'm open to suggestions.
Edited by rosbif77 on Saturday 2nd April 07:12
Well, I guess the obvious choice would be to repatriate and look for an academic job in the UK. I know Leeds Beckett and the Uni of Edinburgh for example have openings all the time, often with expedited tenure prospects and very good conditions. I'm sure you'll find more offers with LinkedIn, Reed, Indeed etc. job search apps. The more you go up north the lower living costs are, and with the current state of local economy, the UK isn't a bad place to live.
Another option is to look for English teaching positions in the Barcelona area, mainly small schools like Berlitz, International House, etc. There's less money there but much more variety, and a real challenge as you'll be working mostly with adults trying to come to terms with globalisation, realising that Spanish and Catalan aren't enough to hack it anymore. The reason I suggest Barcelona and not other places in Spain is the highly developed business scene, plus the added benefit of Catalan as a native language, which should make your communication with students a bit easier if you speak French.
These are just two things that come to mind right now. Of course you can go even further, get trained at doing something else, etc., but this seems like a good initial direction to get you moving without drifting too far out of your comfort zone. From there on you can always adjust your sails as you go along.
Another option is to look for English teaching positions in the Barcelona area, mainly small schools like Berlitz, International House, etc. There's less money there but much more variety, and a real challenge as you'll be working mostly with adults trying to come to terms with globalisation, realising that Spanish and Catalan aren't enough to hack it anymore. The reason I suggest Barcelona and not other places in Spain is the highly developed business scene, plus the added benefit of Catalan as a native language, which should make your communication with students a bit easier if you speak French.
These are just two things that come to mind right now. Of course you can go even further, get trained at doing something else, etc., but this seems like a good initial direction to get you moving without drifting too far out of your comfort zone. From there on you can always adjust your sails as you go along.
International Schools or European Schools as potential new employers would open up (major) cities across Europe for you?
I only suggest that as, even if I were to divorce, I doubt I'd want to move to the UK again after so many years away (18 and counting).
Strasbourg
Paris
Luxembourg
Brussels
etc., etc.
I only suggest that as, even if I were to divorce, I doubt I'd want to move to the UK again after so many years away (18 and counting).
Strasbourg
Paris
Luxembourg
Brussels
etc., etc.
Moving to another city/country to teach in an International school sounds interesting.
There are 3 things which i'm concerned about:
1. My daughter's welfare. She's getting à fantastic education in the school where i teach, and i because i have joint custody i see her everyday.
2. I love teaching but have no chance of career progession where i am. Passing the French teaching degree would take 2 years, and the staying pay is dreadful. It's incredibly frustrating!
3. Salary: i'd love a job where i could use my skills/experience and earn a comfortable wage!!!
There are 3 things which i'm concerned about:
1. My daughter's welfare. She's getting à fantastic education in the school where i teach, and i because i have joint custody i see her everyday.
2. I love teaching but have no chance of career progession where i am. Passing the French teaching degree would take 2 years, and the staying pay is dreadful. It's incredibly frustrating!
3. Salary: i'd love a job where i could use my skills/experience and earn a comfortable wage!!!
Has anyone on this forum experienced/know an expat who found themselves divorced/broke/isolated in a foreign country?Some of my work colleagues have even suggested i give up my children and put my future first! They reckon i've wasted nearly 20 years of my life!
Comments such as, ' you shouldn't have moved to France in the first place', or 'you put all your eggs in one basket and depended too much on your French inlaws', even 'you have to be French to get on in France'.
During the past 18 years in France i've discovered that the way to get on here is to go from lycée to university, sit the 'concours' (compétitive entrance exam), then do your 9-5 job ( more like 8h30 to 3h30 for state teachers) in the same company for the next 40 years.
Anyone thinking of changing careers, showing creativity/initiative is suffocated by the atmosphere of beaurocracy/dullness and general lack of urgency.
Teachers with previous professional non educational experience are as rare as English natives teaching in the state sector!!
You wouldn't believe the number of teachers i've seen over the years here who teach methodically chapter by chapter from a mouldy old textbook and give class tests every week based on memorising facts!!! Their students are bored to tears!
They teach 18 h a week and have taught the same stale lessons for 10 years! They go up the teaching scale since they have X years of teaching, and know the inspector!!!!!
I decided a long time ago 'to do like the French do', so i integrated, learnt to speak/read the language, tried 3 times to enter the state sector, took all the part time teaching jobs i could get, paid for extra French pedagogical training out of my own pocket, got replacement teaching posts even in the toughest schools, but to no avail!
I arranged a meeting with a senior official at the 'rectorat' ( French state educational governing body) to get some advice. His answer was 'make sure i'm born in France, pass the French baccalauréat, sit the concours at age 21 then work in the same school till i retire at 65!'
He told me bluntly that the English only come to France to buy second houses, retire to a cottage, or drink beer at a rugby match. They definitly don't come to work in the French educational system!!!!!
Comments such as, ' you shouldn't have moved to France in the first place', or 'you put all your eggs in one basket and depended too much on your French inlaws', even 'you have to be French to get on in France'.
During the past 18 years in France i've discovered that the way to get on here is to go from lycée to university, sit the 'concours' (compétitive entrance exam), then do your 9-5 job ( more like 8h30 to 3h30 for state teachers) in the same company for the next 40 years.
Anyone thinking of changing careers, showing creativity/initiative is suffocated by the atmosphere of beaurocracy/dullness and general lack of urgency.
Teachers with previous professional non educational experience are as rare as English natives teaching in the state sector!!
You wouldn't believe the number of teachers i've seen over the years here who teach methodically chapter by chapter from a mouldy old textbook and give class tests every week based on memorising facts!!! Their students are bored to tears!
They teach 18 h a week and have taught the same stale lessons for 10 years! They go up the teaching scale since they have X years of teaching, and know the inspector!!!!!
I decided a long time ago 'to do like the French do', so i integrated, learnt to speak/read the language, tried 3 times to enter the state sector, took all the part time teaching jobs i could get, paid for extra French pedagogical training out of my own pocket, got replacement teaching posts even in the toughest schools, but to no avail!
I arranged a meeting with a senior official at the 'rectorat' ( French state educational governing body) to get some advice. His answer was 'make sure i'm born in France, pass the French baccalauréat, sit the concours at age 21 then work in the same school till i retire at 65!'
He told me bluntly that the English only come to France to buy second houses, retire to a cottage, or drink beer at a rugby match. They definitly don't come to work in the French educational system!!!!!
Edited by rosbif77 on Sunday 10th April 08:53
Edited by rosbif77 on Sunday 10th April 08:55
I feel your pain, as an expat on his 4th country now. Luckily no kids or financial obligations, but the struggle is real.
In a nutshell, you're describing the very situation of an Indian/Asian/East-European in the UK, where potential jobs are limited to a certain tier regardless of your previous professional or academic achievements. It's racism of the kind that no one talks about, an undertow, a cultural filter if you will. For all its liberal and pluralistic image nowadays, Europe is just as racist as it's ever been, and supposedly 'free traveling' labourers usually hit the glass ceiling within a few years of migrating.
With all due respect to your family situation, you don't seem to have too many options here. Either stay in France and downsize to what you can currently afford, or leave and look for opportunities elsewhere. Something's gotta give.
In a nutshell, you're describing the very situation of an Indian/Asian/East-European in the UK, where potential jobs are limited to a certain tier regardless of your previous professional or academic achievements. It's racism of the kind that no one talks about, an undertow, a cultural filter if you will. For all its liberal and pluralistic image nowadays, Europe is just as racist as it's ever been, and supposedly 'free traveling' labourers usually hit the glass ceiling within a few years of migrating.
With all due respect to your family situation, you don't seem to have too many options here. Either stay in France and downsize to what you can currently afford, or leave and look for opportunities elsewhere. Something's gotta give.
If I was you I'd look into teaching roles in the middle east and far east such as Thailand (international schools/Universities in BKK) or further east still like South Korea or Japan.
As an example there are some superb International schools in Bangkok that will give a discount (so I'm told) on employees kids. If you're a qualified teacher the pay can be pretty good, comparatively speaking to cost of living.
Higher pay in middle east or South Korea but it's all relative I suppose.
Food for thought.
As an example there are some superb International schools in Bangkok that will give a discount (so I'm told) on employees kids. If you're a qualified teacher the pay can be pretty good, comparatively speaking to cost of living.
Higher pay in middle east or South Korea but it's all relative I suppose.
Food for thought.
Hi
Just read and reread your post and my interpretation is that you're undecided between proximity to kids or more money. Please do correct me if that's wrong.
We've all got our own priorities but most I suspect would choose proximity to kids and become less materialistic if that was required. Of course there's always a third option and that's how close do you need to be? 10 minutes? 10 miles? 10 hours? Decide that then cut your cloth accordingly. Easy to say I know but you did ask. Bonne chance!
Just read and reread your post and my interpretation is that you're undecided between proximity to kids or more money. Please do correct me if that's wrong.
We've all got our own priorities but most I suspect would choose proximity to kids and become less materialistic if that was required. Of course there's always a third option and that's how close do you need to be? 10 minutes? 10 miles? 10 hours? Decide that then cut your cloth accordingly. Easy to say I know but you did ask. Bonne chance!
You're hit the mark with your analysis.
My children are absolutely my number one priority and i want to be there to see them both grew up. However, i'm worried that once they're both grown up and left home ( in 5 years time), I'll be stuck in a poor financial situation with no house/pension and virtually no chance to move on.
I'm also increasingly fed up with the daily behaviour/attitude of French people: pushing and shoving past in shops/supermarkets, never a thankyou when you open a door, driving like lunatics/total disrespect for other road users, and a general 'me first sod you' attitude.
Maybe i'm a bit old fashioned but everytime i go back to England i'm struck by people's politeness/self discipline and general respect for others. The community spirit is still important whereas round where i live no one bothers about poor/elderly neighbours.
I'm feeling incredibly isolated with even the guys at the local cycling club i joined socialising in their own groups. I signed up to the local gym but find it full of body builders/teenage show offs/aggresive single professionals pumping iron and popping diet pills!
To sum up my whole life has revolved around giving my children the best possible life/education and all the love and support they need. How do single parent expats manage to balance family/personal and professional needs?
My children are absolutely my number one priority and i want to be there to see them both grew up. However, i'm worried that once they're both grown up and left home ( in 5 years time), I'll be stuck in a poor financial situation with no house/pension and virtually no chance to move on.
I'm also increasingly fed up with the daily behaviour/attitude of French people: pushing and shoving past in shops/supermarkets, never a thankyou when you open a door, driving like lunatics/total disrespect for other road users, and a general 'me first sod you' attitude.
Maybe i'm a bit old fashioned but everytime i go back to England i'm struck by people's politeness/self discipline and general respect for others. The community spirit is still important whereas round where i live no one bothers about poor/elderly neighbours.
I'm feeling incredibly isolated with even the guys at the local cycling club i joined socialising in their own groups. I signed up to the local gym but find it full of body builders/teenage show offs/aggresive single professionals pumping iron and popping diet pills!
To sum up my whole life has revolved around giving my children the best possible life/education and all the love and support they need. How do single parent expats manage to balance family/personal and professional needs?
Edited by rosbif77 on Sunday 17th April 14:17
Edited by rosbif77 on Sunday 17th April 14:19
rosbif77 said:
You're hit the mark with your analysis.
My children are absolutely my number one priority and i want to be there to see them both grew up. However, i'm worried that once they're both grown up and left home ( in 5 years time), I'll be stuck in a poor financial situation with no house/pension and virtually no chance to move on.
I'm also increasingly fed up with the daily behaviour/attitude of French people: pushing and shoving past in shops/supermarkets, never a thankyou when you open a door, driving like lunatics/total disrespect for other road users, and a general 'me first sod you' attitude.
Maybe i'm a bit old fashioned but everytime i go back to England i'm struck by people's politeness/self discipline and general respect for others. The community spirit is still important whereas round where i live no one bothers about poor/elderly neighbours.
I'm feeling incredibly isolated with even the guys at the local cycling club i joined socialising in their own groups. I signed up to the local gym but find it full of body builders/teenage show offs/aggresive single professionals pumping iron and popping diet pills!
To sum up my whole life has revolved around giving my children the best possible life/education and all the love and support they need. How do single parent expats manage to balance family/personal and professional needs?
I 100% agree with your analysis of the French. I live here too and I have never met a bunch of people who collectively are all only out for themselves. It is completely disheartening, especially when you pay into the country's tax system. No wonder the country is fMy children are absolutely my number one priority and i want to be there to see them both grew up. However, i'm worried that once they're both grown up and left home ( in 5 years time), I'll be stuck in a poor financial situation with no house/pension and virtually no chance to move on.
I'm also increasingly fed up with the daily behaviour/attitude of French people: pushing and shoving past in shops/supermarkets, never a thankyou when you open a door, driving like lunatics/total disrespect for other road users, and a general 'me first sod you' attitude.
Maybe i'm a bit old fashioned but everytime i go back to England i'm struck by people's politeness/self discipline and general respect for others. The community spirit is still important whereas round where i live no one bothers about poor/elderly neighbours.
I'm feeling incredibly isolated with even the guys at the local cycling club i joined socialising in their own groups. I signed up to the local gym but find it full of body builders/teenage show offs/aggresive single professionals pumping iron and popping diet pills!
To sum up my whole life has revolved around giving my children the best possible life/education and all the love and support they need. How do single parent expats manage to balance family/personal and professional needs?
ked.I don't think you can beat yourself up about your situation. By the sounds of it you have been completely selfless and it's understandably a little tricky whilst things readjust.
Have you considered a life coach? It can be useful to establish goals and even if it is just to talk to someone to get stuff off your mind, it is better than doing it with family members or the internet.
jjones said:
Find a fit new french woman to shack up with. A problem (bill) shared is a problem halved. Stay put doing what you are doing but happier/more financially secure.
I've 'met' a few French women and none of them are interested in a middle aged divorced father of two ( even the divorced ones !). They're just after 'financial stability' ( translation: a well off guy to pay for their comfortable future life).Loads of people i've met over here always mention my unique British accent, sense of humour and making people feel at ease. However, when it comes down to giving professional advice they nearly always tell me not to bother with trying to get on in France since it just doesn't work for anglo-Saxons! You have to be born here to really integrate or marry a well off Frenchman!
My female work colleagues have lived here many decades. They're EnglishX2, American, Canadian and Irish.They all treat teaching as a part time job for extra 'pocket money' since their French husbands all earn huge salaries as a banking executive, theme park senior executive , IT company owner, management consultant and a buy to let owner with 17 (!!!) lets.
My unique American male colleague doesn't bother about his salary since he inherited $2.5 million from his parents and just teaches a bit in-between travelling.
The bottom line over here is that the majority of female teachers have partners who keep them in the standard they're accustomed to, and a man in French society is expected to earn more than his wife/partner. The male teachers i've met in state schools have a guaranteed job for life and regular promotions.
So what did i decide to do about my situation you might ask? Simple, i picked myself up and tried every possibility.
I tried setting up a tutoring business a couple of years ago and got hammered with taxes. I set up an e-learning site with a friend but again the admin killed that off. I even applied in Feb 2015 for re training in web site design, but i'm still waiting for a response for the training costs! I entered the state 'concours' to get on a state educational program but got rejected for 'unequal anglo-Saxon basis compared to other candidates'!
Finally, i asked the school where i work for more responsibilities/extra teaching hours etc. Answer, i had to have a recognized French qualification!
Despite all the above i'm still pretty positive about life. It's just so damned frustrating when hard work, determination,natural ability and experience aren't enough!
Edited by rosbif77 on Friday 22 April 14:12
Edited by rosbif77 on Friday 22 April 14:14
I really don't think you need a career change, instead a location change. France is a horrific place to try and do any type of business and it is absolutely harrowing handing over so much money in tax after you have worked for it so hard, so find a place which is still relatively local to your kids but where you can earn more and have a better quality of life. Switzerland.
bulldong said:
I really don't think you need a career change, instead a location change. France is a horrific place to try and do any type of business and it is absolutely harrowing handing over so much money in tax after you have worked for it so hard, so find a place which is still relatively local to your kids but where you can earn more and have a better quality of life. Switzerland.
Unfortunately a location change is not feasible until the kids have both left home. If you put your children first, which is what most decent parents do, then professional career satisfaction comes second. rosbif77 said:
bulldong said:
I really don't think you need a career change, instead a location change. France is a horrific place to try and do any type of business and it is absolutely harrowing handing over so much money in tax after you have worked for it so hard, so find a place which is still relatively local to your kids but where you can earn more and have a better quality of life. Switzerland.
Unfortunately a location change is not feasible until the kids have both left home. If you put your children first, which is what most decent parents do, then professional career satisfaction comes second. rosbif77 said:
That's essentially the problem. I don't fancy staying where i am for the rest of my life. The problem is working out what to do in 5 years time when both kids have fled the nest!
Then in that case it's entirely up to you! I would grit your teeth during those 5 years, fill your life with stuff you enjoy doing even if you have to do it on a shoestring. I think that a career change might be tricky but you could capitalise on what you already have under your belt and move to a different country where the wages are higher OR what about something like consulting on curriculum design? There's lots of money in that.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff