Going to Germany

I'm going to Germany. For at least two years. It's still hard to believe when I say it out loud, and it's a little daunting when I think too much about it.

Starting in early August I will begin my assignment at Munich International School (MIS) in the village of Starnberg, just southwest of Munich, Germany. I'll be teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) to middle school and high school students and I'll be the EAL Head of Department to a team of 10 English teachers grades pre-K to 12th. MIS is a school of roughly 1,200 students from over 65 different countries. It is a rigorous, bustling school with an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and countless arts and sports programs. The school has a very strong reputation as a place both families and teachers want to be. I've been told that MIS is a place teachers want to build their careers. It's a place they want to stay. So, for this reason, and for the fact that I've always thought it would be amazing to live in Europe, I feel very lucky to have landed this job.

I have an apartment awaiting me in Starnberg that was found for me by a member of the HR team at MIS. (This was quite an experience which I can get into in a future blog post.) It's a ground level apartment in an old house that was recently split into four apartments. I'll have a terrace and access to the back garden which looks very pretty and peaceful. My landlords are brothers named Rudi and Stephan. Shortly after my arrival we plan to meet at the local biergarten. The apartment is a one-bedroom with a large living area, a breakfast nook, bathroom and kitchen. The bathroom has a bidet. Wonder if I'll bother learning how to use that?

The location is great. I'm just on the outskirts of Starnberg with easy walking and biking connections into the town center. I'm located just steps from the train/bus station and I'll easily be able to bike or hop on a bus to school. I'm excited about the lifestyle of walking and biking to coffee shops, cafes, bakeries, markets and beer gardens. Starnberg is also located on the beautiful Starnberg See (lake) and I've been told there are endless opportunities for biking, hiking and water sports in the area. The alps straddling Germany, Austria and Switzerland can be viewed just off in the distance. As I plan to take full advantage of the outdoor activities available near me, I'm packing my nordic skis, and a bicycle will be one of my first purchases upon arrival.

By far the most asked question I get from people is, "You're going alone?" Yes, I'm going to Germany for two years alone. No kids. No Tricia. This is, frankly and understandably, a good question and something to definitely wonder about. But, most importantly, I'm not entering into this adventure lightly. I feel a fair share of guilt. Will the kids be okay without me? Will Tricia? What happens if something goes wrong back home? What if someone gets sick? How will being apart affect our marriage? These are all great questions, and perhaps questions that should've caused me to wait a few years for this experience. (I'll get into all this a bit more in a future blog post as well.) Bottom line, living and working abroad is something I've been dreaming about for years. I've put a ton of thought into it. And Tricia and I have had countless conversations. She supports me 100%. I feel, for me, now is the right time to do this. Waiting, for another more perfect time, may mean the adventure never happens. I'm all about taking chances in life, stepping outside my comfort zone, going after exciting experiences. And honestly...I'm a little bored with my current career. For me, the timing is right for a change. I truly believe it's something I need. Something with the potential to make me a happier, fuller, better person. There's no way of knowing for sure, but I definitely won't know unless I give it a try.

My plan is to continue to write throughout my time in Germany, so I invite you to subscribe to this blog and/or come back here often for updates. And... if you think you'd like to do more than just read about my adventures, consider flying over to pay me a visit. I'll be excited to host anyone who'd like to drop by!

That's it for now. I leave on July 23rd, so shortly thereafter I'm sure I'll have lots more to write about. If I don't see you before then, wish me luck and please stay in touch!