Back in January, I decided to apply again to TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France). The decision, if I’m honest, was prompted mainly by the fact that at my position at the time, I had very little PTO, and I was missing the vast amount of time off I had while being a teaching assistant. I filled out the application, advocated for myself for a placement in middle/high school (not sure I could handle primary again), and sent it in thinking it would be as a last resort for me. As we all know by now, 2020 had different plans in store.

I had my year all mapped out, and when a wrench was thrown into it, France began inching closer and closer as the viable option for me. I was laid off of work in March, and immediately began searching for jobs both locally, and internationally that would help further the plans I had laid out for the year. I was lucky enough to get an interview with a school in England for a student coordinator position (which I had applied for before sh*t hit the fan), which led to another interview, and ultimately a job offer. I was through the roof! This was going to be a chance for me to get my foot in the door working in England, and starting on my journey in international education. Unfortunately, not even a week after being offered the position, it was cancelled due to the pandemic, and the fact that there wouldn’t be a fall term at the school in England. I was absolutely devastated. I no longer had a job to look forward to, and there was no guarantee that the position would be open at a later date. How am I meant to begin a career in a field that may no longer exist? This was early May, and I was still waiting to hear back from TAPIF.

When I did the program during the 2018-2019 school year, I found out in early April that I had been accepted. By the beginning of June, there was still radio silence from DC, and it was looking like not only did I not have a future lined up, but that the program was up in the air as well. They assured us we’d hear by the end of the month, but with the entire world changing so rapidly, I wasn’t staking much claim in it, if I’m honest. Then, against all odds, on 23 June, I got my acceptance email! I’ve been accepted into the academie of Dijon at the secondary level. While Dijon wasn’t my first choice, it was my second, so we’re already off to a better start than the last time I did TAPIF. Not to mention, I got secondary, which is what I’ve always wanted, but I’m certainly excited about getting to try the program at a different level. PLUS, I’ll get to spend a lot of time coming up with mustard jokes and puns, which is a win in my book.

I was honestly surprised at how excited I got seeing the email, and how much energy it gave me to know that I have something to look forward to, even if it isn’t entirely set in stone (who knows what could change between now and then). I’m definitely nervous about the travel aspect (it’s a LONG flight to France for me), but I’m trying not to focus too much energy on that at the moment, since it’s not like I’m getting on a plane tomorrow. Plus, I think that ultimately, I would feel safer in France if a second wave were to hit than I would in the US. I still very much want that position in England, and I do think that’s where I ultimately want to end up, but this may just be a stepping stone for me to get there. After all, being in Europe would make me closer to the UK and allow me to apply for positions and network over there more easily. I have accepted my place, and now I wait for my city assignment, which I hope will bring me as much excitement as the initial acceptance email gave me! Stay tuned for updates on that front.

There’s been a lot of mental reframing for me over the past few months about how things have been playing out, and what my life might look like going forward. Obviously, there are no guarantees, and I’m still immensely worried about a future in study abroad advising, but as of this instant, I can’t do anything about that so I’m choosing to focus on the fact that I do have a next step coming towards me at the end of the summer. That, in and of itself, is a massive positive for me, and gives me a little bit of relief (even if there’s some fear attached to it). Either way, I’m a little bit more excited about what’s coming for me, and looking at tomorrow (both literally and figuratively) with a bit of a wider smile… at least for now. France, it looks like I’m coming for you soon! Allons-y!