The Journey into the Unknown
Humans have an innate desire to spread their wings and chase their dreams, and I found myself in a situation that resonated with this very sentiment. My life took a turn when the opportunity to expand our horizons by exploring unfamiliar territories presented itself.
It all began with an advertisement, one that carried the endorsement of a close family friend. As I read through it, I realized that my qualifications aligned perfectly with the position they were offering. At that time, I had poured my heart, hard work, and sweat into establishing a private school. The fruits of my labor were evident as we witnessed the success of the institution. I had succeeded in making a meaningful difference in the lives of countless students, and I had upheld the promise I had made to their parents.
But, against the backdrop of contentment, there was a nagging curiosity. I was compelled to at least explore the opportunity further, to attend the interview they were offering. So, we began the preliminary paperwork to apply for the job. It was a process that held a peculiar mixture of excitement and trepidation.
As I embarked on this new journey, it became clear that I was far from being fully prepared. I had no resume, and I didn’t even possess a passport. The realization hit me that if I were to secure this job, I would need to leave the country. These thoughts swirled in my mind, challenging my comfort zone in ways I had never anticipated.
Nonetheless, the first step was to gather the basic paperwork required for the application and interview. The interview process itself was slated to be conducted by the central administration officials of the school district. Their motive was clear — they were in desperate need of certified teachers to fill the gaps in their educational system.
As I ventured into this uncharted territory, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the decision ahead. It was a leap into the unknown, a bold step towards the pursuit of dreams I had never fathomed.
Another challenge I encountered was the lack of Western attire, a mandatory requirement for the upcoming interview. With time running short, there was no opportunity to have it custom-made. My only choice was to search for ready-made options.
This quest for ready-made Western women’s attire proved to be a task. Two decades ago, such attire was not as readily accessible as it is today. Fortunately, a friend of mine who was well-acquainted with the local markets came to my rescue. They provided me with an address for an exporter, suggesting that I might find what I needed there.
Embarking on a two-hour drive, we eventually located the store and were relieved to discover the clothing we required. The staff at the store was accommodating and even offered to alter the clothes to fit me perfectly. With that, the predicament of what to wear for the interview was successfully resolved.
With the date and time of the interview firmly set, I readied myself to embrace this promising new opportunity. Dressed for the occasion, I arrived at the designated place.
I had been allotted an interview slot with none other than the superintendent of schools, a fact I had not fully grasped at the time; this was the highest position in the district. As I walked into the conference room for my interview, the initial moments were dedicated to an informal conversation aimed at easing the nervous tension in the room.
Soon enough, the formal round of interview questions commenced. By that point, I had managed to gather my composure and answer their inquiries with confidence. There’s one particular question that remains etched in my memory. “How will you teach culturally and linguistically diverse students?” It was a query that I responded to spontaneously, without much thought, my conviction guiding my words. I simply stated that children are children everywhere.
In a surprising turn of events, the superintendent of the school rose from his seat and began to applaud. He declared that my response was exactly what he had been seeking. He went on to say that I was the ideal candidate for the teaching position and assured me that he would recommend me for the role.
Upon receiving the appointment letter, a pressing question loomed: who would care for my school? My family, however, wholeheartedly assured me that I should not let this opportunity slip through my fingers. They encouraged me to pursue these new horizons, recognizing the potential benefits it could bring to our children’s future.
My eldest daughter, in high school at the time, held a keen interest in pursuing her education abroad. One significant advantage of the job offer was that my family had the opportunity to accompany me. It was a heavy decision, one that weighed on my heart, but I resolved to accept the offer, albeit on my own.
With this decision made, the next step was to navigate the paperwork needed for travel. We initiated the passport application process to obtain the necessary visas. As a family, we made a visit to the embassy, and after a successful visit, our visas were stamped. And so, my journey into the unknown began, with me taking my very first flight, all by myself, until I touched down in a foreign land.
