How did I do this?

I can't believe this is real most of the time.  I'm actually going to go to Australia! Some may be wondering how this is possible or what I did to get to go. I can show you what I did and how you can do it too as long as you're an Alberta teacher. I know that there are opportunities in Ontario as well, but otherwise I think you're on your own.

I knew that you could go on an exchange because I had a teacher in junior high who did it, so I thought it was at least possible. The first thing I did was go to my local ATA (Alberta Teacher's Association) meetings and get all of the information. I got the pamphlets, and as much info as I could get on my own. I tend to try to do everything on my own and only ask for help if necessary. (This is one of my flaws as this post will show. Most people should ask for help!)

The first thing you will notice is the lack of any information beyond the "wouldn't it be cool" posters and pamphlets. If you look online you go to the IEEP.ca (International Education Exchange Program) website, which is really just the ATA website. When you get there you will find a bit more info and the application package. I found out I needed at least 5 years of expeience and I was close. I figured they might not count my Morley experience as it was not part of the ATA so I wasn't sure if I had enough. I would have 5 years in Rocky View at the end of the year in June so I figured it was probably fine.

At this point I thought, "Ok, I just need to get on this really early in the year and get the application in to the IEEP office before December, and what's the worst that can happen?" I got the application ready and started filling it out on my own, and then went to my principal and made sure that she was okay with the idea. She got on board right away and I was pumped. I quickly got all of my pages filled out. (All 30 pages of the application plus pictures of my house and school. I managed to get it all done and sent off to HR by mid November. I thought, "Great I'm in early and they're just going to rubber stamp this." I even put a post-it note asking if the superintendent could sign it and send it back to me.

This is where my independent drive to do everything myself broke down. Turns out I should have made HR more aware of what I wanted to do. In fact, I should have let them know in April and not November. There was also the fact that there were other applicants who had more experience than me, and that my application was too late to be considered. I also should have probably e-mailed and written a cover letter to HR and not a post-it note. After apologizing profusely and asking for forgiveness, I was told there was still a chance and they would get back to me. It was getting to the end of November and I was worried.

I phoned HR that I was sorry it hadn't worked out, and that I could try again for next year. Suddenly everything was okay. They told me I had a really good application and that I was approved and everyone was excited for me. I was in shock that I had this drastic change in fortune, but not wanting to have them change their minds, I thanked the gods at HR and hung up. The lesson here though is not to do what I did and always check with HR first and early.

We sent the package quickly to the IEEP office in Edmonton and hoped that I would get a match. I got a phone call early in February after Christmas break saying that I did have a match and that I was going to Adelaide, South Australia. I couldn't believe everything had worked out despite my bullheadedness.

I'll make another post about the interview and I went through and some of the paper work I have to fill out as well.