Was hard to say “no” – Back in the queue

Earlier in the year we received notice of a possible match. The e-mail from the exchange coordinator indicated a possible match and included the exchange’s application package. These packages have information about the location, the teaching role, and the accommodations. It was very exciting to finally receive a match possibility after 18 months since first applying.

Reading through the package and looking up what we could online and with Google Maps, we got a sense of what was on the table. The grade levels were just outside the range I was hoping for and the location was challenging. I worked in similar places early in my career and could have taken on the challenges of that unique location, but travelling with my wife and son, there was more to consider. What social and recreational opportunities exit for her when I’m at work. What current activities can he maintain from home and what new possibilities are there in this new location? For myself, I had to consider whether it was really the kind of challenge I wanted for the year.

In the end we declined the offer knowing, as late in the year as it was, that it might be our only offer, yet not wanting to take an exchange just for the sake of the exchange. It was hard to say no, but we knew it was just too different from what we were hoping.

July brought notice that matching processes were complete for the year and the unmatched start to reach out seeking a suitable exchange on their own. It is  short window as they need to be made in time for the official paperwork and visas to be processed. That is where we find ourselves at the time of this post.

Fingers crossed…