When It's Time, It Will Happen

When you dream big, there will be bigger obstacles, more doubters and harder decisions to make. This is my journey to making a dream come true...

In my 7 years of teaching in my home country, I can say that I have my good share of successes and wonderful experiences. However, I was still yearning for something more meaningful, more challenging, more growth on a personal and professional level. Deep in my heart, I know there is something that I really want to try and experience.

Last May 2020, as the world was on a lock down or in quarantined due to the pandemic, I got hooked on watching different movies at home and was feeling so amused seeing those beautiful American houses in the movies. I easily became a huge fan of American houses' interior designs. I could hear myself wishing to live in one of those houses someday. I know it won't happen if I do not do something about it. So I told myself to start searching for ways to make it happen!

It is my guess that several fellow Filipinos have American dream like mine, in which some of us also think that only few can turn it into a reality. Never did I think that mine can be a reality. I am a wild dreamer but can sometimes be reluctant to pursuing something I dream for. I was one of the doubters of myself. Whenever I thought of going to USA to teach, I felt it was like dreaming of snow in the Philippines. But at this time around, I took further steps to pursuing this. I started applying to some jobs for J1 teachers in the USA. With some sort of cosmic support or whatever it was, an iTeach America teacher commented in one of my social media posts about applying in the J1 Visa Program for Teachers. I was told to try this agency; and so I did. I followed all instructions and finally got in.

After few days with iTeach America, I was offered a job in one of the School Districts in Alaska. It was so quick! But as swift as it was, this first job offer was also abruptly cancelled due to the hassles brought by this pandemic which resulted to travel bans in the Philippines and in the USA. I tried to tell myself it wasn't the right time and to push through on this dream for the next school year. I actually made a timetable on saving money to pay for my visa and related fees. I told myself that January 2021 would be my target to go job hunting in the USA again. However, when the right time comes, it will happen regardless of your plans.

December 20, 2020 brought an ultimate change of my plans. I got rehired and was offered to teach in the same School District! With no doubts whatsoever, I said yes to it! I was informed by Ms. Julie of iTeach America that I am expected to be in the school on the 19th of January. At the back of my mind, there were a lot of worries. But something also crossed in my mind & heart...this affirmation: "when it's time, it will happen".

Truly, USA is the wildest dream of all dreams of mine. When you think of financial freedom, we can easily say, "go to USA, work there". Yes, you can make things happen when you are in the USA but again, there is no sweet success without sacrifices, doubters and hard decisions. In making things happen, there will be doubters, obstacles and people who may be emotionally hurt. The moment I stepped on the plane in Korea bound for our flight to Seattle, I felt a very deep pinch in my heart that I almost cried. The faces of the people I love back home - my husband, my daughter, my family - registered in my mind again. I know and they know that all of this is for them. This one hard decision to leave home and work abroad is for them. Making a better future for them means a life without me at their side temporarily.

I am very happy to be here finally. Looking back, the application process was never a joke. Maybe an applicant will consider the line: "Congratulations, you are hired!" as the sweetest line when applying to the USA. However, I will say such congratulatory message is the beginning of another level of pressures, challenges, stresses and mixed emotions. Believe me, it’s true. I was there, not just once, but TWICE; and it happened in just a couple of weeks! When it is time, it will happen - be it in just a couple of weeks or a couple of years!

To iTeach America, Thank You so much!

Thank you for challenging me to be here before the 19th of January, 2021. This really pushed me so hard to make it happen.

Thank you so much Ma'am Juls for being so transparent and straightforward. I know you just want us to be more serious about our application. I will never be here without you and the rest of the people in iTeach America.

iTeach America is not just an agency or our business partner. iTeach America is a family who will help you fulfill what you believe in.

North Pole, Alaska