Help me to create a fresh start for myself and my life!

J. Paul Appel Start Date: Apr 19, 2017 - End Date: Sep 2, 2017
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
  • Thailand

My Travel Story

by: J. Paul Appel Start Date: Apr 19, 2017 - End Date: Sep 2, 2017
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
At the beginning of this year, I found myself pondering my life and life goals, like I do every new year. I started to realize how stuck I am and have been in my life. Stuck in a rut that I have come to know all too well. The rut of working one dead end job after the other. The rut of wanting something so much more fulfilling and rewarding, but never being able to find it. The rut of being covered in so much debt that no matter what job I've taken, or how many, I can't seem to crawl out from under it. And because of all of this, I've never been able to afford living on my own. So slightly before turning 29 this year, I decided that I've had enough. I refuse to be held back anymore. By debt, by dead end jobs, by crippling self doubt that has held me back for so long. I've always admired Asian culture, but never really thought too much about it until I really started to get into K-Pop, J-Pop & Mando-Pop late last year. Then I also started to get interested in movies that are made across Asia. And then one night everything just seemed to click for me. After watching a couple of movies that were made and based in and around Thailand, I decided to look more into Thailand and how it is to live there. Totally on a whim. I still don't completely understand why Thailand stood out so much to me at the time, but it did and I was totally blown away by the culture and cost of living, among other things. I was shocked to see how affordable it is to live there. Based upon American standards at least. I also found many job opportunities that paid well and specifically wanted a native english or at least fluent english speaker. Most people in Thailand speak English and have a basic understanding of it, but out of respect for those who don't (and those who do), I have since started learning the language of Thai, paying for six months of lessons. I have checked out the education system there as well and am interested in furthering my college education if possible. I have gotten to know a few people living in Thailand, Bangkok specifically. I plan on settling myself in Bangkok because of the similarities between it and New York City. I love big cities, New York especially, but I would never be able to live somewhere like New York or LA because of the ridiculously high cost of living and the low pay of jobs available to me. One of my new friends in Thailand recently told me that he found me a job in Bangkok. And it just so happens that it pays well. Very well. So well in fact, that I would be making more per week there than I have at ANY job that I've held here. And yes, I'm going off of the conversion rate to dollars. I will be able to pay off my debt back here AND still make enough to live comfortably there. I am going to miss my family and friends immensely, but I plan on coming back for the big holidays at least. This is something that I have to do. And I feel that it is something that I am meant to do. I truly do believe that everything has come together for a reason. I plan on giving that reason at least 6-9 months. That is my short-term goal. But while I may be set once I'm over there, there is still the issue of GETTING there and having a place to live first. There are many affordable living options, but I need to make sure that I leave with enough money to live somewhere for at least a month, enough money for food and extraneous expenses, also for a month, and enough money for a plane ride to actually get over there of course. And of course the most money is required for the plane ticket to actually get over there. I am about to start working a 2nd job and am considering a 3rd, but ANY help is GREATLY appreciated! This has become a dream of mine and I feel lucky enough to have it actually be a plausible dream. Thank you in advance to anyone and everyone who is capable of contributing! You have no idea how much even the slightest bit of generosity means to me! I encourage you to follow me on Facebook so that you can see my progress of achieving this dream of mine and then experience it with me along the way. Wish me luck! (-:
  • Thailand