To learn more about Lin check out her blog.
A Ball State teacher woke up this morning with butterflies in her stomach realizing that she is leaving for the United Arab Emirates to pursue a new opportunity.
River Lin, a former teacher at the Intensive English Institute at Ball State, recently accepted a teaching position in the UAE.
For six years Lin’s role at Ball State was to teach international students English as a second language.
After hearing that her department was cutting staff, she decided to send out resumes just in case she ended up being cut from the department.
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She had the interview in May and was offered the job.
“I thought it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” Lin said.
Her new employer is the UAE’s Ministry of Education. The country is currently pushing an initiative to bring native English speakers to teach the language. Lin will be working as a high school teacher.
She feels like Ball State has helped her grow professionally and she thinks it will help her work with the students in the UAE.
The English teacher searched for jobs in the Middle East because of the Arabic language and culture.
Lin currently speaks three languages: English, Japanese and some Arabic. She was enrolled in Ball State’s Arabic program last year as well.
“I am really glad Ball State started an Arabic program.” Lin said.
She credits her knowledge in the language to Abdelaadim Bidaoui who is an Arabic professor at Ball State.
When Lin was teaching at Ball State she came in contact with many students from the Middle East, especially students from Saudi Arabia.
“My students from Saudi have been so hospitable and open to sharing their culture with me.” Lin said.
Lin will be in the UAE for at least a year and she wants to accomplish three goals while there.
She wants to be the best possible teacher she can be for her students, feel confident speaking Arabic in conversation and learn how to take care of camels.
While she is in the country she will document her life on a blog called A River in the Desert.
“I see it as a way to keep my friends and family informed as well as a way to share cross cultural bridging [experiences] with a broader audience.” Lin said.
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