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Post by megli on Aug 1, 2007 15:39:35 GMT -1
I seem to be in with a good chance of getting a lectorship in medieval Celtic studies at the University of Bonn, starting in two month's time.
ARGH. My partner can't move. I don't speak German (I can teach through English). The money's good. Jobs in Celtic are like hens' teeth, and I'm a young scholar at the beginning of my career who can't afford to turn down the chance to teach at the major continental centre for Celtic.
What do I do?!
All advice welcome!
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Post by jez on Aug 1, 2007 16:03:31 GMT -1
I seem to be in with a good chance of getting a lectorship in medieval Celtic studies at the University of Bonn, starting in two month's time. ARGH. My partner can't move. I don't speak German (I can teach through English). The money's good. Jobs in Celtic are like hens' teeth, and I'm a young scholar at the beginning of my career who can't afford to turn down the chance to teach at the major continental centre for Celtic. What do I do?! All advice welcome! You go. You stay there in term time, you go home in vacation time, or your partner comes over, if they can. You give it a year, and you work like stink, and you publish stuff and make a name and go to conferences and speak with people from everywhere around the world. You take stock after 10 months, and decide, with your partner, what to do next if they offer you a longer term. Otherwise, you try to get known at the conferences etc by universuties nearer home. Germany is not that far, nowadays. A flight, taking only hand luggage. -- It's the things you DON'T do that you regret. Trust me on that. -- Jez |
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Post by Lee on Aug 1, 2007 16:59:28 GMT -1
do it. flights there are cheap. you can come back/he can come over on weekends.
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Post by suelittleowl on Aug 1, 2007 18:13:16 GMT -1
I second everything that Jez said, absolutely. Do it.
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Post by Craig on Aug 1, 2007 18:23:31 GMT -1
Go for it Megli and makes us all proud!
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Post by megli on Aug 2, 2007 8:22:21 GMT -1
trhnaks!!¬ argh!!
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Post by littleraven on Aug 2, 2007 9:27:48 GMT -1
I can only echo what people have already said. Germany's easy to get to, and they don't have the British problem with learning other languages anyway (ie, lots speak English anyway). Plus, how difficult do you think it would be for a linguistics scholar to pick up a relatd language anyway ;-)
It's difficult when there are others to consider I know, but then they must consider that sometimes we have to look at the long game.
LR
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Post by Tegernacus on Aug 2, 2007 9:32:49 GMT -1
long-distance relationships are hard, but these days you have Skype and video chat and its quicker to fly to Germany than it is to get a train to Glasgow.
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Post by ceinach on Aug 2, 2007 9:45:05 GMT -1
ARGH. My partner can't move. I don't speak German (I can teach through English). The money's good. Jobs in Celtic are like hens' teeth, and I'm a young scholar at the beginning of my career who can't afford to turn down the chance to teach at the major continental centre for Celtic. Seems to me you already know what to do - I am sure it will be hard to leave your partner but a year really isn't long in life and think of the future benefits.. go for it and best of luck - just make sure you keep in touch... |
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Post by claer on Aug 2, 2007 9:55:53 GMT -1
Go.
I turned down a position with the animal welfare group in Davis, CA for similar reasons. I now wonder occasionally "what if" (especially if I have a bad day!). It was purely my decision, and I believe I would have come back after trying it, but then I would have at least tried. If your partner can stick with you during you writing your thesis - I reckon they've passed one big test!
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Post by Lee on Aug 2, 2007 10:46:47 GMT -1
on the subject of German... its not too difficult to pick up. i was there for 2 weeks on fieldwork last year and after knowing none on arrival i was able to do a lot of the basics (like order food and beer) in German happily. its surprisingly similar to English in word construction.
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Post by Tegernacus on Aug 2, 2007 11:16:55 GMT -1
... or unsurprisingly similar to English in word construction  |
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Post by megli on Aug 2, 2007 12:19:18 GMT -1
Thanks everyone. I think I will go. That means - if I am firmly offered it - I'll be leaving the country in 7 weeks' time. Argh! Ich heisse Mark! Ich kommen aus England! Dis bier ist das ting!
Argh. Teaching Welsh through English to Germans...this'll be fun...
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Post by arth_frown on Aug 2, 2007 13:24:29 GMT -1
What does your partner think?
it seems a wasted opportunity if you don't go and you could regret it for the rest of your life.
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Post by woodsmoke on Aug 3, 2007 7:29:31 GMT -1
I'm with everyone on this one Megli...seize the opportunity! If its short term, the distance might even be a positive thing for you and your partner...make you both appreciate the other all the more maybe?
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Post by Blackbird on Aug 3, 2007 15:14:22 GMT -1
Definitely go for it! Yes, it may bring difficult times for you and your partner - I've done a long distance relationship, when my ex lived in London for a year, and it wasn't easy. However, he had to go for it - it was his chance to get in with a big financial institution. I can imagine that if he hadn't gone for my sake, he'd have ended up resenting me for it later, even though the choice had been his... hard to explain, but I hope you see what I mean I firmly believe that you have to grasp firmly upon the opportunities given to you in life  |
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Post by Brochfael on Aug 4, 2007 17:02:58 GMT -1
My feeling is go for it. Hope your partner will support you. All the very best
Brochfael
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Post by megli on Aug 4, 2007 19:20:02 GMT -1
Thanks for all your advice! I have decided against it, on the grounds that this year here in oxford (funded) will let me publish my first book, which I wdn't be able to do working fulltime in bonn and learning German. There was a whiff of the exploit-the-young-academic about the offer, in that it was 4000 extra quid for a NINEFOLD (!) increase in workload.
Some emergency negotiations ensued and I've been made a Better Offer. Sorry to be mysterious, but loose lips and all that! Suffice it to say I'm satisfied with the outcome! Thanks again.
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Post by arth_frown on Aug 5, 2007 19:33:34 GMT -1
Glad it worked out for the best, anyway there beer is crap but they do cook a good breakfast.
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