I began at age 22, just out of college, and unsure how to check in my bags at the airport or if anyone, or anything would be waiting for me on the other side. "Where is Albania?" I was asked. "You mean Algeria?" people questioned.
Albania. I thought the idea of teaching internationally for two years and traveling around Europe in my free time was so simple. The idea of returning home was not as easy. Luckily, the world had far more in store for me. It introduced me to a group of friends who pushed me to be a better teacher, a well equipped traveler, and a big dreamer. My dreams led me somewhere new and chaotic.
Indonesia nearly killed me. As much as I loved traveling around Southeast Asia, the lifestyle just was not what I needed. I grew as a teacher, but socially folded into myself, losing all sense of confidence. I found it impossible to escape my insecurity and sickness (physically and mentally) until I got offered a job, that would take me back to the part of the world my journey began in.
Montenegro, my home away from home. Here I learned to spend my time in nature, and surround myself with consistent goals to make myself a better person. I said "yes" to living my life to the fullest and fell in love with who I am.
But, it's time to move on. There is a big world and many amazing opportunities. I have to admit, that I'm nervous. Montenegro was easy, and this move is meant to push to me. I need to learn basic Russian. I will be eating in a meat- based diet country, even though I only know how to cook veggies. I will be teaching a new grade level. After 3 jobs that allowed me to walk to work in under 20 minutes I will have to learn to use public transport. Let's talk again about the Cyrillic alphabet. I'm afraid my social life will dwindle because of my fear to leave to my apartment. Adapting to travel in a new region is always tough.
So I'm off to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to continue to expand this teaching knowledge, and learn a little about Central Asian culture. With any luck I'll pay off my student loans (finally) and learn a thing or two to share.
