I finished my PGCE in 2013 and then went abroad to Korea to work (as a teacher, but in TEFL). I had a really bad time of it on my course (2 placements where the teacher couldn't have cared less about me or the students, no support, split up with long term boyfriend.) I intended to come back after one year to complete my NQT year.
Well, now it's two years later and I am getting married to a Korean guy this summer. Totally unexpected, didn't come here expecting to find someone. We really want children together, also.
I'm 33. I know I don't necessarily have a huge amount of time left to have kids. I am healthy/non smoker/not a big drinker/not on contraception/regular periods etc, but still.
But I also know that the longer I leave the NQT year, the less likely it is that I ever get it done. I worry that if anything were to happen to my partner, I would not have the possibility of earning money in the UK. Although I can currently get work in Korea quite easily, that won't necessarily always be the case.
My husband to be runs his own business with a partner, so it will take some time for him to wind that down, find a new partner etc. We could leave for the UK in February 2017.
I am thinking over the possibilities. My partner is totally supportive and flexible, but his business is going well, and although he's in a good position to find another job, I know he'd probably prefer not to leave it.
I could:
a. forget the NQT year for now, start trying for a baby soon after we get married so August 2016. Although I'd prefer to be married for some time before trying, I know time is against me somewhat. I could potentially go back to the UK in a few years after we have a baby, but realistically, is anyone going to employ someone who completed the PGCE so long ago?
b. go back in February 2017, start the NQT by doing long term supply if I can, or taking a permanent post from September. We start trying for a baby straight away and if I get pregnant, take maternity leave...
c. go in February 2017, start trying around November. I would be almost 35 at that point.
I guess it's only a year's difference, but at this age, it could be a big difference.
I am going to get a check up soon with a gynaecologist to see what the situation is, and my partner will also get a fertility check. Luckily, in Korea a lot of help such as IVF is cheap so if we have problems, we could afford help.
I also posted in conception, but just wondering what others would do in this situation. I really want to complete the NQT as I want the reassurance of having financial stability if anything were to happen to my husband. But I also don't want to miss the chance to have kids.
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Completing NQT year
11 replies
seoulsurvivor · 19/02/2016 08:19
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