I guess it's time I wrote my first journal entry... I signed up for the China internship a few weeks ago now, and had my letter of acceptance Monday morning! I'm glad as I was waiting to allow myself to be fully immersed in excitement until it was confirmed! I have never travelled alone, and I haven't been many places, but Sheffield is a place where everyone knows my name, my history, my shoe size... ok maybe not the last one but you know how small towns can be.
I graduate in July, and knew I wanted and needed a change - travelling seemed the best way to achieve this! The internship seemed to slot into place to fulfil my needs whilst being supported... Anyway, it is my last day of work placement for university today and I started my Mandarin Language lessons on Monday. I am off to London Friday and then Paris for a few nights by myself to see how I get on. After that completing the online TEFL course will be my priority. I'm also doing a L2 Maths course with Learn Direct as I got a D and apparently need a C to even be at uni! Guess I slipped through the radar! Of course I am excited, anxious and feel a little bit dizzy but I know I'm ready for this. Well that's enough ranting for now, I know I might not get chance to do another one for a while so that's my excuse for chewing your ears (eyes) off... Happy Tefling (: xx
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Hi guys, thanks for comments - Bini I wish you all the luck in securing your place!
Thanks for the nice words :) I am 100% sure it's what I want to do. Now it's just the waiting ....!!!
XD
Congratulations on your internship. Try not to worry too much, travelling for the first time is of course scary but a brilliant experience and you will probably not want to come back home!!! It is perfectly normal to feel dizzy but once you are there you will know you have made the right decision. Have fun. Peace. x
Congratulations Melek on your internship. Make sure you stay in contact with mom and dad so they can sleep peacefully every night!
Im hoping to go on the internship, Iv heard there are only 7 places left!! I need to get the money together first! Shame they dont take deposits.
Hi Katie, that's really brave of you.. I think it takes guts to do something like that, for me it has just come at the right time as I will have nothing by July with graduating, so kudos to you for that.
I think the China internship seems the best way of dipping your feet in the water without too much fear, and as it is only 4.5 months if it seems an unsuitable option for you at the time, it's not too bad... that's how I'm seeing it anyway. Hope you decide to go ahead with it! (:
Hi Melek
I've just joined Chalkboard and am also considering applying for the China internship in August. I'm guessing we are at different ends of the age spectrum chronologically (I have 2 adult boys) but it seems that we both have the same dreams. I've done a lot of travel in SE Asia and have said for ages I want to go back and live there and immerse myself in a new culture. SO I took the big step and left my job of 20 years and am making the major life change!!!!! Like you I will be looking for support so hopefully we will meet up and be able to look out for each other. Keep in touch.
Baby steps I figure - first Mandarin and China, tomorrow, the world!!
Enjoy the classes and keep us posted with how you get on! You might want to chat with this girl who speaks Mandarin fluently - she might have some good tips etc: http://www.tefl-chalkboard.com/snowfallrain
Haha, thanks a lot (:
Yeep this year is the year of excitment and facing those pesky fears... though I'm not sure if I'll be brave enough to conquer things like heights, and spidery type things... and yeah Mandarin = fun but hard, I'm on an intensive 5 day course at the moment, but think I'll be signing up for the full beginners course as I have a bit of time before going!
xxx
Great post Melek - reckon a LOT of the other interns will be in the same boat!
Don't worry too much about travelling alone - the great thing about the internship is that you've got a ready-made group of friends when you touch done in Beijing - plus, hopefully by the time you go, you'll know most of them from Chalkboard!
Have a great time in London and Paris (v. jealous!) and good luck with the Mandarin lessons - I did it at school, and it's tough, but good fun! Just make sure you get a chance to practice haggling before August - it's a v. handy skill to have :)
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