| Teaching in Taiwan |
07.02.12 |
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Lebanon Valley College’s 15,500 graduates can be found all over the United States and in many foreign countries. Amanda Myers ’11 is one example of an LVC grad whose opportunities lead her across the world to new, life-changing experiences.
Upon her graduation as an English secondary education major, Myers was accepted to the Reach to Teach program as an English teacher in Taiwan. She began teaching children ages 3 to 13 soon after graduation. “Teaching within a different culture has been challenging,” Myers writes in her blog, “students in Taiwan are expected to memorize a lot and to be extremely obedient. Teachers are expected to be authoritative and to push kids hard to learn.”
Myers’ decision to travel all the way to Taiwan may seem out of the ordinary. Myers had her doubts before she left. “Deciding to teach in Taiwan was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. I knew it would mean missing home for a year and it would require me to put my long-term goals on hold,” she reflected. Nonetheless, Myers did go and is having the time of her life.
Sharon Givler, director of Career Services, was excited to hear about Myers’ success and offered a word of advice to all LVC students planning their futures. She wrote on the Career Services blog, “in aiming for security you will find mediocrity.” Givler explained that sometimes fears keep students, and all people, from moving forward confidently. Givler is impressed by Myers’ courage to overcome her fears.
A year in Taiwan has passed by quickly for Myers. She writes that after “visiting gorgeous temples, hiking on exotic islands, and participating in traditional festivals,” she plans to stay another year in Taiwan. “Teaching abroad has made me realize that there are endless opportunities for the future,” she explained, “and there is a lot left for me to do before I go back to America!”
For more of Myers’ story, visit the Career Services blog.
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