Fearless Friday No. 37 – Jess, VIPKid Teacher Extraordinaire in Strasbourg, France

On Education

Did you attend college? If so, where, and how did you choose that school?

I attended Olivet Nazarene University to start because it was close to home. My mother unexpectedly passed away my junior year of high school and I was not ready or in the proper headspace to go away to school. My father did not want me to take any sort of gap year, so I decided to commute my first year. After my first year, I decided I was ready to go away and flap my wings. I found a sister school, Trevecca Nazarene University, in Nashville, TN that my credits would easily transfer to. I finished my degree there. 

How did you choose your program? Did your decision change over the course of your time at school? 

I decided to study religion and philosophy because it fascinated me.

I always loved learning about other cultures and worldviews and trying to understand why people think the way they do.

When I first started, I always figured after my bachelors I would go get a masters in psychology, but then as I started the program, I was actually leaning towards becoming a chaplain. I adored the chaplain at my college and loved the idea of being able to connect with a huge diversity of people and help them to dive deeper into their faiths regardless of what faith that was. However, I added a concentration in intercultural studies to my degree and at that point I began to switch my focus to social work and hoped to work for nonprofits like the Red Cross or UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).

Did you participate in study abroad while at school? For how long, and with what program? 

I did not study abroad while I was in school because I was trying to graduate early, which I accomplished.

However, during my junior year of college, I saved all my money so that I could backpack around Europe. My brother was living in Italy at the time and I wanted to travel with him and do some solo traveling that summer.

It was my first time leaving North America and I was so excited. I learned more in that summer than I had in my first three years of college. Being able to not only see other cultures, but meet people from different parts of the world and hear their experiences, thoughts, and values is a life-changing opportunity.

Professional Background

Would you say travel or living abroad have impacted your career path? How? 

Traveling has definitely changed my whole career trajectory. I very passionately thought I would be a perfect social worker. After volunteering on refugee camps and being a part of weekly meetings with larger social work agencies, I realized it was absolutely not for me. I didn’t realize the level of professional distance you have to hold in those jobs, and I realized I was not capable of it. I would much rather do the work for free and be free of the constraints.

I always knew I wanted a job where I could not just help people, but truly build relationships. I realized how invaluable education is and all of the opportunities I could have to connect with people in meaningful ways as a teacher. 

How might your career path have differed if you’d stayed in your home country?

If I would have declined that internship in Greece, my plan was to get my MSW (Master of Social Work) back home in Chicago. I probably would have been really successful in my field, but I wouldn’t have the amazing friendships and relationships with people from all over the world that I have now. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I absolutely love teaching English on the VIPKID platform. Every day I wake up excited to travel to China/Korea from the comfort of my own home. I have had the incredible opportunity to teach over 1,000 students and more than 5,000 lessons. I have made incredible relationships with my students and their families. Even though I have never met any of them in person, I know I would always have a friend to visit if I ever make it to China or South Korea (which I intend to do someday). 

On Lifestyle

Why do you enjoy traveling?

I love everything about traveling, even the hard parts. I have been to 40 states in the USA and 28 countries. Everywhere you go has something unique and special to offer and it’s a chance to try new things.

What I mean by even the hard parts is that it’s not always easy to navigate different cultures and languages when you travel. But, that challenge forces you to grow and expand as a person. Every place I have ever been has connected me to this larger piece of humanity as a whole and I am so grateful.

Would you recommend backpacking and budget travel? Why?

To me, backpacking and budget travel is amazing because it gives you a much more authentic experience. I have always done very budget travels because I went from broke college kid to now I live abroad. I lived out of a single backpack for over three years. It challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and go explore more. 

Have you ever traveled solo? If so, what was that experience like?

My first ever backpacking trip was solo until I met up with my brother in Italy. I went to Denmark, Sweden, and Hungary.

It was the best because if I didn’t have anyone with me to talk to, I would strike up conversations with strangers. I made friends that I still talk to today. It was awesome.

You definitely have to be careful, especially as a woman. I stayed in very populated areas and was constantly checking in with friends back home so that someone knew where I last was.

There are lots of “free” ways to travel around for a while such as Workaway or Couchsurfing, etc. Have you ever used these methods and would you recommend them?

I have Couchsurfed throughout the USA since I was 16 and had a license. Absolutely loved it. It’s an amazing way to meet like-minded people who enjoy traveling just as much as you. The Couchsurfing community opened up many experiences for me and introduced me to awesome people. 

One last question

What advice would you give to someone who knows they want to travel but aren’t sure where that fits in with the rest of their lives?

Honestly, just do it. You’ll never know what you’ll find when you take that leap.

I never thought I would find the love of my life on a camp in Greece, but here I am.

Travel can take your life to places you can’t even dream of. So you’re right it may not fit into your life now but it will carve a new path and open up so many new opportunities.

Related reading for adventuring in Greece: Hiking Mount Olympus to the Throne of Zeus

Editor’s note: This interview has been lightly edited.

If you connected with Jess’ feature and are interested in learning more about what it’s like to live in France, work for VIPKID, or just think she seems like the type of person you’d like to be friends with, she invites you to connect on her Instagram: @jessthealmostexpat.

A new edition of 52 Weeks of Fearless: A Friday Feature Series is posted every Friday evening, France time (CET). If you enjoy reading and want to keep up-to-date with the latest posts, please subscribe and follow @themillennialabroad to support and be the first to receive weekly blog posts and a monthly newsletter recapping the month’s latest and greatest.