A few days ago I was on my first school visit. I got a job at a government school somewhere in Thailand. It was six hours away from Bangkok. Honestly, I was so nervous and afraid. Number one, I do not know how to go to the place. Number two, I have been an advocate of thinking about the worst case scenario.
So, I braced myself for the worst. I kept on praying “please, please, please God if I just get through this day I know I can do anything.” It turns out my employer was a very nice person, she drove us all the way to the school, and the people in the school were warm and friendly. I also met a fellow Filipina who was also hired as a math teacher, we decided to be roommates for cost cutting purposes and instantly clicked.
Overall, the school was nice, our apartment was really beautiful, and I got home safe. I unexpectedly spent the night at a hotel (which was really a nice one) and I explored almost the southeast part of Thailand. The food was also great.
Five years ago i never would have thought that I’d be working overseas, exploring, and just collecting adventures. I’ve been to three countries for the past two months. I have interacted with people from different parts of the globe.
There are still many adventures that I’ll be embarking on and I know for a fact that I did not make the wrong decision. I am absolutely happy, even though I’m far from my friends and practically far from everything that made me happy. But I will never regret the risk I’ve taken because I’ve figured out that there are only things that you can learn by getting out of your safety bubble.
If you are young and have that wanderlust in you, I urge you to take that bold step.
Get out. Live.
kate samaniego 