After completing my degree in the UK, I landed a job as a recruitment consultant at a large corporate firm. Initially, I was thrilled to have secured a graduate job with a promising career path, but it didn't take long for me to realize that this was not the life I wanted for myself. Hopefully, the recruitment industry has changed, but when I worked in it there were a lot of dodgy practices ... and people. It didn't take long for me to feel trapped, stuck in a cycle of monotonous work and longing for something more fulfilling.

One day, while on a lunch break, I reached out to an old university friend who was teaching English in South Korea. I had heard about the lifestyle he was living and was intrigued. He provided me with an email address for a contact in Korea, and two weeks later, I was on a plane to Seoul, ready to start a new adventure.

Teaching English in Korea was a life-changing experience. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, meet people from all over the world, and, most importantly, discover my passion for teaching. I loved the energy of the classroom and the feeling of making a difference in my students' lives.

After a year in Korea, I knew I couldn't go back to my old corporate job. I wanted to continue living overseas and teaching. So, I started looking for new opportunities, and before I knew it, I was offered a teaching job in China.

China was a whole new world. The culture, language, and way of life were vastly different from what I was used to in the UK, but I loved every minute of it. Living and working in China opened my eyes to a completely different way of life and a new set of challenges.

As the years went on, I continued to teach and live overseas, moving from China to Saudi Arabia and other countries in between. I have had the privilege of experiencing different cultures, meeting amazing people, and growing both personally and professionally.

Looking back on my journey, I am grateful for that chance encounter with my old university friend. If it wasn't for him, I may have never discovered my passion for teaching and living overseas. Escaping my corporate job was the best decision I ever made, and I encourage anyone feeling stuck in a similar situation to take that leap of faith and pursue what makes them happy.

In conclusion, my transition from a dull corporate job to a fulfilling career as an international teacher has been a journey full of ups and downs, but I wouldn't change a thing. It has allowed me to grow as a person, experience different cultures, and make an impact in the lives of others.