Natashia Curtis
HR Coordinator
Natashia with some of her young English learners
I would have to say it definitely started when my parents told me I could go on the grade 9 class trip to Europe if I paid half the fare myself. I have never babysat so many screaming children in my life in order to finance that little expenditure. But I was hooked, on travel and children.
I decided I wanted to teach English in Asia while I was still in high school. University seemed a long and endless task to reach my goal. The travel itch hit me harder and harder year after year; I ended up spending more hours working part-time jobs in order to go travel during my summers than I did writing papers. I ventured through Australia, Central America and a few returns to Europe. And after 5 long years of papers and exams, I found myself in Taipei only 5 months after graduation.
When I started applying for jobs in Asia, I never once thought about Taiwan. South Korea always seemed like the logical option, but being from Canada I wanted to know what it was like to have one year without snow. I looked into Southeast Asia when somehow Taiwan got thrown into the mix. Now that I am here, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Taiwan winters are a luxury coming from -40 winters!
Teaching English has been the absolute best experience of my life. I could talk about my kids all day. Every day I walk into work there is always a student right there waiting to tell some story about their day or how many boyfriends they have this week. They seem less like children and more like little people. My students have the most incredible personalities and are absolutely brilliant. I didn’t realize how much fun it would be either. Coming over, I was so nervous about what to expect. But being able to joke, talk and play around with my students is so fulfilling. Although, I’ve learned now that forcing your class to chant “Teacher Natashia is Beautiful” doesn’t always come out the way you would hope.
Other than my students, I think I live for Taiwan’s food stalls. I am a slight addict to street meat and Taiwan literally has everything. Surprisingly enough, chicken feet are not that bad. I still don’t really understand the point, since there’s no meat on them, but I think they taste good! Dumpling stands galore are enough to make me never want to leave.
Natashia loves teaching and spending time with her favorite students
Every day is a new adventure. From the moment I leave my apartment it becomes a game of dodging bikes, scooters, and people, catching busses, chasing children, and trying to avoid inhaling stinky tofu fumes at all costs. Having planned on coming out to teach since I was 16, I can literally say I am living my dream. I know there aren’t many others who can say the same. I am a strong advocate of endlessly wandering the globe and am always trying to convert others to living the same philosophy. If you have any questions about moving out to Asia or any other aimless drifting, do not hesitate to drop me a line!
Natashia Curtis
Natashia@ReachToTeachRecruiting.com
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