Decision time.
I hate making decisions, it's too difficult for somebody like me who doesn't want to let people down.I was a happy bunny living and working in Spain, lovely friends, weather, food, flat...the lot, until a friend, also living in Spain, asked me to help out in a summer school in Oxford UK. I was happy to do so because teaching dries up a little in the summer and it turned out be great fun.
However, the Director of the school asked me if I would be interested in leading a project (English classes for a multi-national company in Russia). It was an offer I never expected to receive at my age, I thought I would be teaching the rest of my working days in sunny Spain and was more than happy with that thought. Well, I agreed after much persuasion (and a handsome pay deal) and here I am after three months looking forward to visiting my family in the UK before returning to Spain on Monday.
The problem I have is that this project in Russia is for three years initially, and my boss wants me to return in February to continue the work and supervise the new teachers. My friend in Spain however is just about to open her own academy and wants me to join her. She has a lot of company work waiting and needs me there to start work in January.
The pay for the Russia job is much more than I would earn in Spain, but it's a hard life here, so unlike my sunny life in Spain. It's not just the weather, the company is based just outside Moscow in a heavily polluted industrial town which has absolutely nothing to write home about. I have no social life at all, but I enjoy the work and my students are lovely, kind people who I will miss when I leave. They took me out to dinner today and presented me with so many beautiful gifts, in spite of the fact that they do not earn much money.
I'm not a wealthy woman and the pay is certainly attractive, but if I return to Russia my friend has to find somebody else to help her out with all these classes waiting. To be fair, she has not put any pressure on me whatsoever, but I know she will be in a spot if I come back here. I also miss Spain dreadfully and the thought of living here for another three to six months is not too appealing.
Too many people are tugging at my conscience.
What to do, what to do?
Comments (4)
the students in russia need you and you never know what a bit of sacrifice will gain you in heart and soul
and money is a nice nest if you can get some built up
dunno why you feel youd be letting the friend in spain down
as im sure you didnt commit to her knowing you already were IN a commitment...??
she should be telling you not to worry and she'll always have a spot for you
did she go fwd assuming youd be available? or hope hope hoping?
then thats not your problem and friends can dialogue about such things.
cant wait to see what happens next.
best to you always,
elena
My friend has been in touch with me throughout my time her so she has always known that I'm not too happy here, well, in so far as living conditions and my social life goes. She has been keeping me updated about the new work in Spain, but equally has always understood that the pay could be a deciding factor and only I can make the all important decision.
The commitment here was for just three months with a possible extension if the Russian company were happy with our work, which they are, hence the three year deal confirmation recently.
I don't believe I'm indispensable but I know that it would be better all round if I took the project forward. The thing is, I also have private students in Spain who are waiting for me to come back and resume classes, as well as the company classes my friend has organised. There aren't too many good business English teachers in Murcia so it would be difficult for her to find someone.
You're right though, I think she was really hoping I would accept, even though she didn't pressurise me.
I can't think about this anymore tonight, it's giving me a headache!
Should you more tend towards "working in a familiar environment" then stay in Spain....and try to negotiate some bonus for giving up on a better paid alternative.
What I'm reading between your lines is anyway "I prefer Spain" !
Good luck.