Guess where I'm moving next??
I am in the final 7-week stretch of the school year, wrapping up Year 11 of my teaching career and Year 3 as an international teacher in Myanmar. I have treasured my time in Southeast Asia, which was never initially on my radar. To say I've enjoyed living in this part of the world is an understatement. I have been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places and had many exciting adventures over the past three years, and now I feel that it is time to move on.
The original plan was to move here and teach for two years, and then move back to New York City, also known as the love of my life. (Yes, the love of my life is a CITY. Anyone who knows me can vouch for this love affair.)
The best-laid plans often go awry, or so they say. When the two years were coming to a close, it felt like the adventure had only just begun. Surprisingly, I decided to renew my contract for a third year here in Myanmar while I figured out next steps. As it turns out, I miss New York City every single day of my life, but I feel that I belong abroad. Expat life is challenging and exciting and confusing and full of the unknown... which is absolutely wonderful (for me). While I felt it was time to move on from my current position, I did not feel ready to give up this lifestyle. I decided to search for a position at another international school.
Applying for a new position as an international teacher is like an intense part time job. Recruitment starts really early - I started working on applications in August for next school year! For those who are curious about the process, there are a few headhunting sites where teachers like myself can register and search open positions at international schools. There are several different sites like this, and many people register for 4-5 different sites when they are recruiting. I decided to go with only the top two sites and focus my energy and efforts on those postings. This strategy has worked well for me in the past, as I can put out more quality applications, rather than a higher quantity. I also wanted to try to move to a bigger school than where I am currently teaching, and I figured these two top sites would be my best bet for accomplishing that goal.
Resumes and cover letter expectations have changed a lot over the years. Now I needed to have colorful text and photos, so I spent a great deal of time early in the school year revamping my resume. I wanted it to look lively and appealing but professional. I had a few friends and family members look at it too, and I am so grateful for those extra sets of eyes.
On each of the recruitment sites, I not only had to upload my new beautiful resume, but also details about work history, education/training, experience, qualifications, degrees, licencing, hobbies, travel experience, and other such personal details. It took a couple of weeks just to fill in all of that personal information, but it was necessary and important as administrators would view my profile and decide whether or not I was a good candidate for their school, but also whether or not I would fit in with the rest of their staff (hence, the personal questions as well).
Once that was finished and I had my references secured, I had to pay a fee. After I was approved, I could start the job search. I decided to reach for some top-notch programs - because, why not?? - so there were also application questions that were unique to each of those schools as well. I spent a good chunk of my October Break working on applications and perfecting my cover letter so that it was tailored to each school that I applied. I also did a great deal of research about each school before applying for a position because I wanted to be sure that their goals and ideals aligned with my own. With bigger schools, it took me about a week to complete each application - but I fully acknowledge that this is partly because I am a perfectionist. I applied to one school who even wanted a video. We're not talking about a video of me teaching a class, as you might expect; rather, they wanted a video with information "beyond the resume." It had to answer specific questions, be informative, and last less than 2 minutes. It felt kind of like I was making a video for one of those dating TV shows back in the '90s. (That school never contacted me, but that's okay! It wasn't meant to be.)
I decided to go for two of my dream schools. As I clicked submit, I chuckled to myself, thinking, "Right. Like they're going to call me!" Imagine my surprise when I was not only contacted by BOTH schools, but I also went really far interviewing with them too! Even more astonishing... I am happy to say that I signed a contract with one of them! I still can't believe it!
My new school has a wonderful music program. I first heard about the school when I met a friend who was teaching abroad when we were taking our Orff levels together in Chicago several years ago. At that point, I had no idea that I would end up abroad too, but I remember my friend talking about this honor choir festival that her students had attended. Almost five years later, and I am going to work at that very school with the amazing music festival every year. Life is so funny, isn't it??
Without further ado, I am SO EXCITED to announce that in August 2019, I will be moving to...
OMAN!
If you don't know where that is, don't worry. That's fairly common. The most popular response to my announcement is a long silence, followed by, "...Where?"
While I had heard of Oman by name, I could not point it out on a map until I got the email to interview at the school (when I promptly Googled it). I'll save you the trouble. Oman is here:
I'll be living in the capital city of Muscat. Notice its proximity to the water (have I mentioned that I'm excited???). Population-wise, it's the smallest city that I've lived in since I was in college. I will also be driving a car regularly for the first time in my entire adult life. (I still have my driver's license and drive when I visit home, but I sold my car when I moved to New York City at age 22 and never looked back!).
While these will be major life changes for me, I also look forward to moving to a country that is more developed than where I currently live. I have appreciated the challenge of living here, but y'all... they have an opera house in Muscat! And a Starbucks. Just saying.
My new position will look a bit different than any of my previous three schools. First of all, I will not be the only elementary music teacher. That's right - I will NOT be teaching 6+ different grade levels anymore. Additionally, my workload and responsibilities will change as well: I will be teaching elementary music (3 grade levels, I believe), and I will also be the accompanist for the middle school and high school choral ensembles! I am equally excited and terrified about this. Haha.
I say "terrified" because it is something new, and, well, that's scary. I want to do a good job (See above: "perfectionist"). However, I am focusing my energy on positives these days, so I will share that I am most excited to be working so regularly on my own instrument (piano) again. I am also looking forward to the fact that I will be performing with middle and high school groups - something that I have discovered I enjoy doing in my current position.
I cannot say it enough... I AM SO EXCITED!!
But what about...?
I've had many people question my decision. "Why are you moving to the Middle East? Why not Europe or back to America, where it's 'safe'?" For those who are deeply concerned about the location, then I'd like you to think of me as moving to Southwest Asia (because I am!).
To put your minds at ease, I have done a lot of research. Oman is a very safe country and is friendly with the US. Yes, I will have to adapt to new traditions and customs, but I also had to do that when I moved to Myanmar as well. I'm not saying it's the same, but I have at least experienced a similar process already. I have also been intrigued by the Middle East for years, as I have a family member who spent a lot of time there in the past. Granted, his time there was in a very different context, but I still want to know what it is like to live in that part of the world. I have also never lived in a desert climate either, and I am looking forward to finding out what that is like. Not to mention, when you do a Google search of Oman, it looks like I have some incredible adventures ahead of me:
My wanderlust is showing.
Another concern I have heard is, "What does your family think about this??" as if I am bringing some level of shame to our household. Well, I am a very lucky person, to say the least. My family may be small, but they are my biggest cheerleaders in life. The first person I called when I got the job offer was my brother because he knows more about that part of the world than anyone else I know, and I wanted to be sure that I was making the right decision. (He is thrilled about my opportunity... and he is the over-protective-older-brother-type!) The second person I called was my mom, and she has already started researching her next trip to come visit me. (Seriously, the woman knows more about Oman than I do at this point!) The third person I told was my sister, who not only sent me an article with the most eligible (single) princes that live in the area, but she also bought me the language and guide books that you see in the picture above. My best friend in the States is happy that I have such an amazing opportunity after more than a decade of hard work, and my best friend here in Yangon is moving to the UAE, which is less than one hour by plane from Oman! Basically, my people are happy for me, and I am blown away by their love and support. Most of all, I am happy about my decision. There have been some Negative Nancies, but the good news is that I'm the one who gets to move to Oman - and not them!
It is bittersweet to be leaving my life in Myanmar. I cherish the opportunity I had to live here, and I feel like it is the exact right time for a change at this point in my life. I am looking forward to a crazy hectic summer, as I will first move home with all of my belongings, sort out my storage unit (remember, I was going to move back a year ago??), attend a training in Indiana, visit family and friends, re-pack my life, and move myself to Oman! I leave the States on August 1st, and if I don't make it to see you this summer, then I will try to get there another time in the near future.
And for those who don't want to wait so long, I'll be accepting visitors starting in Fall 2019! (I'll need a couple of months to get settled and learn my way around my new city.) Any adventurous spirits are welcome - I'll be just a plane ride away ;)
My life is about to become a whirlwind, but what else is new?? For those who want to follow my journey, I'll be using my old trusty hashtag on social media: #stefsonthemove
