I have just completed a two year teaching placement in Warsaw, Poland. As Europe is often seen as a ‘top’ international destination, why did I chose to leave after completing my contract?
Simply, I never felt the country was a ‘good fit’ for me or my family.
Having spent more than a decade in Asia, I realised early on the grievances in Asia (distance from home being one) were nothing in comparison to living in a country in which you feel a lack of connection.
However, I do not regret the move, even though it has caused some hardships.
Moving from Asia to Europe ‘scratched the itch’ which I had always felt. Professionally, I was able to try leadership, which was a great step.
Leading up to the move, I was becoming irritable often whilst in Asia, and instead of embracing experiences I was rejecting them. After twelve years, I no longer felt ‘in-love’ with the continent and I often found fault with most things. I dreamed of order. I wanted facilities, such as pavements, road safety, reliable electricity sources, and hot water in a sink.
However when I came to Poland I had a huge feeling of discontent. Everything was quite normal and functional, but at the same time (for me), no challenge. I believe I had reverse culture shock. The country was too similar to where I had been born, the UK. Sure it was cheaper and certainly more advanced in terms of apps for everything (buses, banks, purchases), but it did not excite me.
The weather was dismal. I was used to sunshine most if not every day of the year. In Poland I was lucky to have this three months of the year (as every summer I left).
The language was difficult and the area in which I lived, an international area, had very little to offer in terms of classes or groups for those from other countries. I tried to set up community groups and a book club which included all nationalities, including locals, yet I only connected with two people. The book club fizzled out quickly on my part, as I had no interest for it. I think I was struggling at this point which made it all the more difficult. I attended yoga class for a while, but as a Brazillian classmate explained, we found the experience challenging and not relaxing, as my Polish was slow to progress.
Moreover, as the majority of the school staff were married to Polish partners, there was not the community I had been used to in previous placements. Teachers often went home to their extended family whilst younger staff had interests which did not match mine.
In both Asia and Africa, I have been used to the school staff becoming your family. I am not saying that I was without connections, as I made several life-long connections. However, establishing a strong, large community with teachers and non-teachers, from all nationalities, including the host country, is important to me.
But perhaps more than any other reason for the move back to Asia, was that it wasn’t an adventure for me.
I have realised that I can not live somewhere for others.
As a family our reasons to live in a country can not be solely based on proximity to the UK. Ultimately, my decision to return to Europe had been Covid-led. The guilt I felt of being unable to travel home in three years was the most dominant factor. In the desire to be close to loved ones I ignored the recommendations of my own book, to be clear on why exactly I wanted to choose Poland as a place to live.
So when others ask, why are you moving from Europe? My answer will remain…it is not home.
Make sure you consider deeply the country in which you will live and make sure it aligns with a place you will feel comfortable, settled, and most importantly, joyful.
New to International Teaching with Jess Gosling 