I have big news. Like big, life changing news. So, I have officially put down a non-refundable deposit for a TEFL course in Prague! Yes, that's right…I'M MOVING TO PRAGUE! What?! Even though I put down my deposit at the beginning of December, I am still freaking out about it! I am going to be living in Europe. I am going to teach English. Terrified doesn't even begin to cover how I feel. But underneath all those nerves, I am so excited. My dreams are finally coming true. I have jumped through so many hoops and have spent an unhealthy amount of time online researching job opportunities in Europe. Finally, FINALLY I am going to continue my traveling dreams. The scariest part about the move is the course itself. I have researched the TEFL program that I'm joining, and it doesn't seem easy in any way. Apparently, the second day of the course I will be up in front of the classroom teaching a lesson to native Czech speakers! I am in no way comfortable with public speaking, so I know this opportunity will be a challenge for me and will test me in many ways. I am so ready though. I am so ready for a change and I am so ready to be in Europe again.
This is my future home. What?! How beautiful is this?
I'm going to be in for a huge culture shock once I get there. Prague is so different from London. From the people, to the food, to the atmosphere…I honestly have little idea what to expect. I am a little apprehensive about what this experience will bring, but I am 100% sure that this is what I am meant to be doing. Awhile ago, I was absolutely convinced that I had found my "ticket back to Europe". I started working for a popular tour group, promoting their company. I worked my butt off to make sure I was doing my absolute best, hoping to earn a European Internship with the company. When I found out that I wasn't chosen for a position, I was crushed. I had such high hopes for this opportunity and I was sure that I would have been stellar at it. I came so close to my traveling dreams, just to have them snatched away at the last second. That same night I found out I wasn't going back to Europe (at least not with the touring company), I prayed and prayed that I would find a way to get back. I had to keep reminding myself that everything happens for a reason and God must have something bigger in store for me. The very next day, I was browsing a popular travel blog and came across a blog comment mentioning a TEFL course in Prague. The comment was from a young American much like myself, who had the travel bug and joined this program on a whim. In his comment, he said it was the very best decision that he could have made and went on praising the course. At first I was indecisive, thinking "Would I ever want to go to Prague?" and questioned my ability to teach. But something about that comment stuck with me (not to mention the author's response confirming that it was a reputable course). I researched the course, pouring through their website and looking up reviews online. Something about this program just seemed right. It clicked with me that this was something I actually had the ability to do. I honestly believe that it was no coincidence the day after I was upset about my plans falling through, this opportunity just happened to fall in my lap. It was like God was saying to me "Here it is! This is what you should be doing!" I knew right then and there that I would be moving to Prague to teach English.
Not getting that internship may have been the best thing that could have happened. Sometimes better things come along when you least expect them to. Although I have no idea what the future holds for me, I am so thankful to have found this opportunity and I am so happy to be traveling again. I encourage anyone who has ever wanted to travel to take the leap and make it happen. Do whatever it takes. If you want something badly enough, make it happen and don't give up. There will be obstacles and setbacks along the way, but you can't allow yourself to become discouraged. Sometimes things have a way of working out if you stick with it :)
