In the next couple of weeks I'm going to have so many things to do. Unfortunately, the recruitment company that I am working with (Teach Away) is unable to give me an exact date that I will be leaving Toronto. Apparently there's going to be an e-mail that I get 3-4 days before I am expected to depart with an e-ticket that will get me half-way across the globe. I'm sure that this is going to frustrate me to no end seeing as I am one of those people who likes to prepare in advance. On the flip side, I should also be grateful that I wasn't hired for this experience 3 months ago as I would have had 3 months to worry about getting things done. Somehow everything has a way of working out.
I do have to say that Teach Away does seem to be organized for such a large endeavour. So far this week I have already participated in 2 "webinars". The first dealt with the contract and document authentication (I'll explain more about that in a moment), and the second dealt with the move itself and what to expect in terms of adapting to a different culture. Despite having a plethora of information I am still left with many questions which I'm sure no one will be able to answer to my satisfaction. I have a feeling that a good part of this journey is going to have to be taken on a day by day basis. I know that it will be important for me to keep an open mind and remember that I have chosen this experience.
The Document Authentication Process
When I first applied for this experience it was simply a matter of attaching my resume and filling out an online application form. In terms of complication, I'd give it a 3. After the phone interview, I realized that the paperwork alone could drive a person insane. I think I had about 10 different documents that I had to gather, complete, scan, print and colour and submit for the in person interview. I got through that no problem thanks to a good friend here in Toronto who was kind enough to help me scan and print. I probably could have done it on my own, but I haven't owned a printer in quite some time.
Anyway, after the in person interview I officially found out about the document authentication process. I had heard about it before on the Teach Away facebook page and through a couple private e-mails, but I didn't want to start it until I was hired. So here's what I have to do:
1) Bring originals of my Bachelor of Education and Ontario College of Teachers 2010 certificate to a lawyer to be notarized
2) Have the university send a copy of my Bachelor of Education Transcripts to the Embassy of the UAE
3) Go to DFAIT in Ottawa with my original degree and teaching certificate, along with the notarized copies
4) Have DFAIT stamp and sign the degrees
5) Pay $150 at the UAE Embassy to have them authenticate the degrees
So that means I will be having a day trip (probably in the next week) to get this all done. I shouldn't complain though, the Americans have it far worse than I do. At least with the trip I'll get a chance to see my father, sister, aunt and uncle. So many goodbyes. . . . . it reminds me of when I first went up north, only this is to the other side of the globe. On a side note, I'm not quite sure how I'm going to handle the jet lag. I'm kind of hoping that I can fly at night so I won't have to be awake too long when I arrive in the UAE. Again, time will tell.
The Classroom
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| Borrowed from the Abu Dhabi Education Council website | http://www.adec.ac.ae |
I'm told that the curriculum I'll be teaching is adapted from an Australian curriculum, but no one can point me in the direction of the curriculum or give me an accurate representation of what I should be expecting. On the plus side, I'll only be responsible for teaching three subjects (English, Math, Science) to two sets of third grade boys.
I've made a personal goal of trying to focus on classroom routines and behaviours for at least the first month of school. I don't plan on jumping into student centred learning until I have a clear grasp on the student's abilities and behaviour. That being said, I anticipate that September / October are going to be two very long months.
Just adjusting to the new living situation is going to be difficult enough. . . . but throw in a classroom and school environment and it's a whole new ball of wax. To that I say "Bring it on!".
Car for Sale
The next biggest thing that I have weighing on me at the moment is selling my car. I just bought it in October, but I can't see the point in keeping it sitting for a couple of years. In fact, the only reason I bought the car was to keep me going to / from work. Aside from driving to work or to visit my mother or father, the car pretty much just sat in the garage.
So if you know anyone who is looking for a cute little hatchback car please send me an email asap (keithvdh@gmail.com).
2009 Pontiac G3 Wave (Podium Edition)
15,000 km (approx)
A/C, manual windows, On-Star, XM Satellite Radio, includes snow tires and Tom Tom GPS
Well, that's probably enough rambling for now. I'm sure there will be more in the days to come. I'm guessing it will be about 3 weeks until I leave. Not looking forward to the hard goodbyes, but looking ahead to the adventure.
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