Sometime around last March, I sent my resume to a university in Germany. They had a fantastic looking position available in their English department and since I apply to everything whether I'm really qualified or not, I applied. As usual, I didn't expect a response, but a tiny part of me waited for one just the same. And as usual when dealing with foreigners and job applications, I didn't hear anything for months. I gave up hope.
May rolled around and I had forgotten all about the German job. But then they sent me an email and asked me to please update my resume before the job closed in June. Thinking it was quite nice of them to inform me of a closing date (after I had just spent 2 months pining for the job), I sent another copy of my resume. And I waited.
July approached. Remembering how inefficient everyone in Europe seems to be when dealing with jobs, I hadn't given up hope. But I also didn't expect an interview, which was offered to me around the middle of the month. I scheduled and did my phone interview, felt like it was disastrous (or at least not enough to tempt them into offering the job), despaired over my incompetent interviewing skills, and waited to hear the bad news from them.
And waited.
And waited.
Three weeks past and I heard nothing. The start date of the job rapidly approached (Oct 1), as did my semester of teaching at UVU. Although my pride was slightly wounded, I decided it was better for them not to have offered me the position; it made deciding what to do with our lives much easier.
And then today I looked in my inbox to find an email from dear Wolfgang, head of the English department- he urgently needs a copy of my MA diploma to continue with the application process!
I am at my wits end. Apparently they didn't decide that I'm hopeless; I still have a chance. UVU starts in 1 week and I'm scheduled to teach 3 classes. We decided that Trav is going back to school. I mentally prepared myself to go back Utah...again.
This jerking back and forth of possibilities is bad for my delicate nerves. What if they offer me a job? Do they think I'm going to take it? Should I take it if they really offer it to me? What about school for Trav? What happens to poor UVU if I ditch out on them?
Just think- none of this would have happened if the university were run by Americans.
7 comments:
It ABSOLUTELY would happen at an American university (I'm talking to you, BYU). We had faculty (granted, it was almost always part-time, non-doctoral faculty) who had schedule changes or baby changes or illnesses or other vocational conflicts back out of teaching their classes.
The good news is that--especially in this economic climate--they will find someone to teach, because there are ALWAYS people looking to pick up extra sections and more $$ (BYU often pays their PT faculty by credit hour).
That's just my two cents. If I were you, I'd be on the next plane to Frankfurt. =)
Don't you hate being a grown up sometimes? It is so hard making life choices. I'm sure whatever you decide will work out wonderfully. I would love to see you in Germany though, then I could come visit :)
HURRAH! if nothing else it's immensely flattering. i suppose that the question ultimately is how this job plays into your long term plans (it's 2 years, right?). is there something in germany for trav to do? could he get some sort of degree in a german university? get a refugee-related job? if it wouldn't work into a longer term plan, then you just have to decide if you want to live it up for a couple of years in germany and then move on to long term stuff, or start on long term stuff now.
you know, just one of those easy decisions.
fer deutschelust!
GOOOOOOOO! If they offer you it the by golly you should GO! As long as you are home for xmas ;) I think its a fab idea. AND it will look better on your resume than UVU. No offense UVU!
It sounds to me like you want to go. That's all I'll say on the matter :)
I'm glad that they're interested in you, but I understand your quandary! I'm so anxious to find out what happens!
Oh man! I can see myself having a similar experience and debating over it until there was no more to debate. I always make a final decision and in the spear of the moment I change the decision (you can ask Brock all about it).
But if it does happen, do it. I think you will have an incredible life changing experience.
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