I got a job in France during a Pandemic
As the world shut down in early 2020, it was hard to picture the possibility to live my dream to teach abroad after college.
One disease I have is that I’m a chronic planner. Prior to an actual disease spreading like wildfire throughout the world, I had a post-grad plan that always made me feel a rush of happiness. That was: working and living in another country. I studied the French language for 7 years in high school and college (also took Spanish in middle school but whatevs.) I took up an International Affairs background for my major. Studied abroad in Japan, and while I was there I took up an internship specifically for teaching English as a second language — eventually receiving a certification. Also studied a bit of Japanese. Worked in my university’s Study Abroad Center where I met many of my international friends. Studied abroad again in France to gain French fluency (7 years of American school French will never make you fluent) and gain professional connections. Immediately after I got back to the States from Europe, I applied to a handful of English Teaching positions abroad. One job I wanted particularly was the Teaching Assistant Program in France. I expected an answer back by April.
As you can see, I planned this shit real hard.
And then COVID-19 hit the entire globe 3 months before my college graduation. Oh yes, we love how the world literally said “Your dream you have been working for for the past 8 years has been crushed.” Travel became restricted, and everyone that I knew who did not live in their home country had to return to their home country. Acceptances kept getting delayed for the “unforeseen future.” Don’t get me wrong, I understand that my problem could be worse and that I am fortunate to have a roof on top of my head, but the feeling of working hard for something so specific just to have something uncontrollable stop it just freaking hurts. In addition, my own home country was not doing that great handling COVID-19. Thus, making the most “powerful” country’s passport the most useless document in the world. The thought of working abroad as an American was killed by the pandemic as well.
However, the chronic planner that I am, I was prepared for a plan B after graduating to instead pursue a career in politics (I love politics.) I prioritized different interests to get ready for a life in California. Little did I know that in June, I would receive an e-mail that made me cry on the floor for an hour.
Here, I see an email that explained to me that nothing, not even a worldwide pandemic, can stop me. I felt both relieved and anxious. How can I do this in the new normal? Will it be possible? The answer is: I am going to do what it takes to go do it. Whether it having to wear a full uniform of PPE to the airplane or stay isolated in my room for 2 weeks, it’s going to happen. Luckily, the American program coordinator for TAPIF assured future assistants that we will be receiving work visas and WILL be EXEMPT from travel restrictions to Europe.
I have joined every TAPIF and Académie de Orléans-Tours forums in the internet and studied all the requirements for pre-departure.
This is the beginning y’all, can’t wait to take you to a whole new adventure x
Will keep you updated.