I've been dealing with some formidable resistance back home. It makes sense to me that my fiance is mad I want to leave, and that this life decision jeapordizes our future plans in a big way. Truthfully, the jeapordization must have happened long before the decision to travel and teach abroad was made or I would not have moved in such a direction to begin with...regardless, it is painstakingly clear that this is not his future. His focus is on acquiring a home and having children. Settling into a nice life of stability, essentially, which leads me to ask, does the fact that I am choosing to travel and teach abroad mean that I am running from stability? Is this a subconscious tactic to relive my tulmultuous youth? Am I concerned I am just not able to make a life for myself in the US and therefore must escape to various places, a life without history or traction.

On the familial front, things do not look much better. Bombarded by negative opinion and solicited advice, I am also contending with many preconcieved notions about traveling abroad, about the people that choose to do so, and what it reflects about a person's life. My father thinks that i-to-i is a website gimmick set up to trap young, restless individuals who feel underpaid and undercultured. The whole establishment of the certificates and forums are an intricately laid plan to market the world to unsettled individuals. Vagabonds and Nomads, are the precise terms used. I don't know what kind of cutlural and demographical following this site provokes the interest of, but it is at the point where I am relying on perserverence alone to continue this process. Although I am sure a statistical backing would not squelch my father's concerns, it would be helpful if people of various backgrounds and statures could attest to their own reasons for travel, perhaps those not affiliated with i-to-i, that would work to reinforce my intentions for working abroad(because they are clearly becoming muddled) and simply share their own setbacks and difficult family dynamics around the topic of their departure.

I am doing this because there is nothing for me in the UK. I graduated last year and had to take the first job that came along (out of the very few jobs available during a recession). I got a job in a pharmacy and detested it. I didn't do a degree to work in a shop, thanks. Anyway I know I have a lot more to offer than operating a till and wearing a fixed smile. I want to do a job that allows me to be creative and that is challenging.

Could I do this in the UK? Find me the jobs! I don't see them anywhere. So, I would say the reason I'm doing this is to better my employment prospects and get some experience (which is, I'm told, what I lack). Apparently a degree is worthless. It is my hope that doing the China internship will make my CV stand out in the future and that it will be an amazing experience. I only wish I had done this before and not wasted 4 years of my life getting into debt at University.

The response I have had to my plans has been largely positive. What is it your father thinks will happen with this 'i-to-i gimmick'? I have found that the negative comments have only been made to put me off going. Comments about China and its politics are common. It is my belief that the person saying such things doesn't want me to go. They'll miss me and so they try to put me off going. One of my friends told me I was selfish to do it! That is a sign that my friend loves me, but it is also selfish to make me feel bad about something I want and need to do to better my life.

A lot of people don't like change. That's their problem. I need change. I don't need to sleepwalk through the rest of my life. If it means going abroad and enjoying myself for a while, where is the harm in that? (I am 30 years old, female and from the north of England.)

Hello both.

I am only 21, and have just graduated from University. I'm also from England. In this current economic climate it is nigh on impossible to find jobs and my degree is not worth a lot at the moment. I feel that I need to add experience to my CV in order to get into any career, be it teaching or otherwise.

I have met some resistance in my plans to leave. My boyfriend (who I have been with for 4 years and lived with for three) is understandably against the idea. However, as the date to leave has drawn closer (I leave a week today) he has begun to come around the the idea that I am actually leaving, and that it is something that I want, and need, to do.

Kristnccsu: I don't think that you are necessarily running from stability, simply choosing to do something that will delay that part of your life. I have had the same doubts. I don't know how old you are, but I am young, and if I don't do this now, and settle down, have kids, get into a career etc I will never have this sort of time or opportunity again. My advice is, forget the critics if they are simply being negative. If this is something that you want to do, that makes you a special kind of person, and very brave! You should take the opportunity with both hands and others will soon come around. The problem is, that most people just do not understand the willingness to travel abroad, at least not in this way. (Sure everyone likes a holiday but most wouldn't move to Asia for months...) Put simply, I am not here because I am restless (I could get into a career or on a teaching course here if I wanted to - I have turned jobs down at interview), I want to add to my CV, see the world and meet likeminded people. Not those who I am surrounded by, and who, it sounds like, you are surrounded by, who are somewhat closeminded to the idea of other cultures.

Sorry for the essay!

My 2 Cents With Kent Brockman.

What are your exact reasons for wanting to do this ? Would you sack the idea of teaching abroad to stay together with your boyfriend ?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with not being ready to settle.

Bit disappointing that your folks won't give you proper backing and encouragement if it's something you really want to do. By all means voice concerns but it sounds like your Dad has gone a bit too far. Stay positive Shortbread, if it's what you really want do then the rest can GTF. Typical Scottish guy's opinion there !

TOO SHY SHY ! HUSH HUSH I TO I !

All of you just go for it!!! Your just have a wonderlust. I am exactly the same, I have a degree and all ready have a job as a lecturer. Its taken me 2 years to have the balls to this, sell my house, give up my dog. So that I can be happy. Its not running away or anything its about not being a boring old fart.

You are right though in the sense of the recession does not help, degrees are like mickey mouse qualifications and you know what your skills can be used somewhere who either need your skills or appriciate your skills.

At least you can say that you have travelled down the rod which has been less travelled by!!! Go For it!!!

I have gotten a little negative feedback from my family but luckily not too much. My reason for teaching abroad is that I have always wanted to teach. I do not have a teaching degree though because I did not get into an education program here in the US. I have been working retail- which I hate! Once you start working retail it is hard to get out of it. It is hard to find a job what doesn't require a specific degree or previous experience. So I decided that I could combine my love for travel and my desire to teach to get a TEFL certificate and go and teach the world english! Don't give up and keep following your dream!