Getting my Thai visa, packing, and saying all my goodbyes...

First things first, getting my Thai visa was kind of a nightmare. It was a ton of paperwork and I was in the middle of law school finals (all done with my 2L year, only one more to go!!!!) but I got it done! It was so exciting to get my passport back in the mail with the visa attached! It feels so official! After dealing with my visa I haven't done much else to prepare. I've been enjoying my summer, my family, my friends, and my life.

I now leave in 3 days and the way I feel I can't put in words. I'm incredibly excited, I can't wait to test myself, push my limits, live, grow, and learn... But at the same time I'm at a completely different place than I was at when I decided to embark on this journey. I am so incredibly happy with my life and everyone who is a part of it! I don't want it to change but at one point I thought this was my destination, that this is what I had to do to find out who I am, and what I am made for. So with some bitter sweet feelings taking over I am still packing and getting ready to leave in this crazy adventure through Asia!

Pre-departure

So I have been thinking about doing this for a very long time... Yet I never felt like I was strong enough;  So in the midst of what I believe was my weakest moment, right after a horrible break-up, I decided that this plan could potentially be the best opportunity to turn my weakness into strength. I felt like I needed to get away, I thought leaving would be the easiest and best solution to the emotional roller coaster I was living... So while waiting or dreading the beginning of my next law class at king hall I decided to look at my options. After learning about CIEE I was almost immediately sold... It was now a matter of explaining it to everyone around me... Indeed not an easy conversation, it went something like "ummm mom, dad, I kinda lost myself in this mess of my life and to get it back together am going to quit the one thing that I have going out good for me in this world, law school, and move to the other end of the world to live as an English teacher in Thailand". Never would I have thought my family would be so nice and understanding but they were!!! and here begins my delightful adventure about running from my problems, searching for myself, and learning where it is that I fight in this crazy thing they call life. So bottom line after a few stressful conversations and a long application process I got accepted and got a job placement teaching English in Thailand!!!


Here is my letter! Woot woot:


Dear Milena,

Thank you for confirming your acceptance to Teach in Thailand with CIEE beginning in June, 2012. We are writing to share exciting placement news with you! You have been placed to teach at Wangchanwittaya School in the province of Rayong. You can learn more about your placement by visiting: http://www.oeg.co.th/tinth2011/schoolprofiles.asp?id=S00205.  This school profile is intended to give you background information about your placement. While it will be immensely useful pre-departure, it is important to note that details may change (particularly those related to accommodation). Please be willing to adapt upon arrival if things are not exactly as stated in this profile. After all, flexibility will be essential during your journey as a teacher in Thailand!  All of these details aside, you are close to completing what we understand can be tedious application process. We hope you have learned a lot and encourage you to remember that it is all in preparation for a great adventure in Thailand.
Once again, CONGRATULATIONS on receiving a placement for the program beginning in June, 2012. You are one step closer to teaching in Thailand!

Kind Regards,                               
The Teach Abroad Team Emily Moser Coordinator, Teach Abroad Programs CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange 300 Fore Street Portland, ME 04101 USA Tel: +1.207.553.4171 Fax: +1.207.553.5171 Email: emoser@ciee.org Web: www.ciee.org/teach