I’ll be honest… My first year abroad was kind of a disaster. I didn't have the confidence to create my own plan, so I joined a teach abroad program that was supposed to look out for me. But instead I ended up underpaid on a factory-lined highway where I was the only foreigner for miles. The worst part was if I wanted to leave early I could owe my school up to $8,000 which was my entire salary for the entire year! Whoopsies.
Thankfully, I eventually figured things out. A few years later I was working as a college counselor in Beijing, making four times the salary with my own private office. I had a job I loved, saved up $40,000 in two years, and traveled all around Asia during my 20 yearly vacation days.
Over the last decade I’ve lived in China, Tanzania, Vietnam, Australia, and now Georgia (the country). I’ve worked as an English teacher (on and offline), college counselor, online admissions interviewer, freelance writer, and social media manager. I even got my Master's degree overseas!
Now I work remotely and can live anywhere in the world. I make my own hours, and can travel whenever and wherever I want.
How?! Well… I made a ton of mistakes, and wasted a lot of time on trial and error because I didn’t have a plan or anyone to guide me.
I wish I could go back in time and give myself all of the advice I know now, but unfortunately time travel isn’t a thing (yet). So I’ve made it my mission to teach you everything I’ve learned, so you have an incredible first year abroad.