OK, so maybe the answer is to return to plan A once more. To head to Taiwan to teach english while learning the language. Judging from the different web pages, I can stand to make about two grand a month after taxes, so I would be able to pay to live there, pay student loans, send some money back to Jill hopefully, and save enough within one year to have enough money in the bank to be considered for a US grad school the following year.
I have to tell you, this option scares the beejebus out of me. I have never done well with my moving away adventures, and I really believed that the next time I did it, I would not be alone when I did. But Jill won't be able to travel with me to Taipei due to work visa's and the like. The same is true, however for American universities as well, although she would be able to come with me there, just not work. Its frustrating from every angle. I am at a loss to determine what it is I even want anymore. More than anything, I want to start making some money, paying down the enormous debt that has amassed in Student loans. In total, combining the loans for the private degree, and the loans for the BA, when all is said and done, I will be sixty thousand down. That is a lot of pesos. It makes me crazy to think that getting an education costs this much money. It really does. In Ireland, they made tuition free for anyone who wanted to attend University or Trades Colleges, and in doing so, righted the downward spiral their economy was in. Now, the Irish cometo Newfoundland to recruit students trying to pay off their student loans to go and clean their toilets and do their hotel housekeeping. What do we get from our government? The right to borrow more money and a tuition freeze, which, I am happy to take on both counts, as for the first time since I started at university, I will make enough money to actually pay all the bills.
It just doesn't seem right to have come so far, only to be stunted by the almighty dollar yet again. I am angry, frustrated, worried, and on the verge of being paranoid at this point. I feel like I am ramming my head against a brick wall, trying to squeeze my way through. And I no longer know which way to turn for advice.
I have to tell you, this option scares the beejebus out of me. I have never done well with my moving away adventures, and I really believed that the next time I did it, I would not be alone when I did. But Jill won't be able to travel with me to Taipei due to work visa's and the like. The same is true, however for American universities as well, although she would be able to come with me there, just not work. Its frustrating from every angle. I am at a loss to determine what it is I even want anymore. More than anything, I want to start making some money, paying down the enormous debt that has amassed in Student loans. In total, combining the loans for the private degree, and the loans for the BA, when all is said and done, I will be sixty thousand down. That is a lot of pesos. It makes me crazy to think that getting an education costs this much money. It really does. In Ireland, they made tuition free for anyone who wanted to attend University or Trades Colleges, and in doing so, righted the downward spiral their economy was in. Now, the Irish cometo Newfoundland to recruit students trying to pay off their student loans to go and clean their toilets and do their hotel housekeeping. What do we get from our government? The right to borrow more money and a tuition freeze, which, I am happy to take on both counts, as for the first time since I started at university, I will make enough money to actually pay all the bills.
It just doesn't seem right to have come so far, only to be stunted by the almighty dollar yet again. I am angry, frustrated, worried, and on the verge of being paranoid at this point. I feel like I am ramming my head against a brick wall, trying to squeeze my way through. And I no longer know which way to turn for advice.