Choosing between two places to relocate to (Cleveland, Findlay: lease, insurance)

[miamian in nc]

I have a dilemma and hope that some folks out in City-Data can give me some input on what to do. I have been accepted into a graduate program to work on a master's in teaching English as a second language at the University of Findlay. I'm in my early 50s. I was supposed to start the program in January but thought it would be too much to move in the middle of winter, have to break a lease here earlier than the end of it (April), get adjusted to a new place, and to a tough program of study all at the same time. So, I deferred my admission till summer. I visited the university a couple of months ago and felt really welcome there, and I had a good feeling about everything in general. "

I'm not sure whether to forge ahead with a grad program and get into the debt it will cause, also having some reservations about whether having the degree at my age will help me get a better work situation, to teach in an Intensive English program at a college or university. Right now I teach ESL at a community college and am not making enough to make a living doing this since it's just part-time, and we don't get any lesson prep time nor holiday pay either.

I lived in the suburbs of Cleveland in the past, first in Olmsted Falls and then Westlake. I left because I didn't like the weather, but in the years I've been in North Carolina, I've really missed other aspects of the area, including the wonderful people, the ethnic diversity, and a parish I used to belong to in North Olmsted. I've not found anything like that here in North Carolina. So, I have the acceptance to the university in Findlay, but at the same time I'm thinking maybe what I really should do is return to Cleveland. I've made a contact with someone at an agency that staffs for the Cleveland Clinic. I'm thinking that if I can get in there and ultimately find a permanent job with benefits, it would give me security for the future and the medical insurance I don't have. At my age I need to think about this, and I do have administrative skills that hopefully will get me a job in time. I know for a fact that in order to get interviews and be ready to start even as a temp requires physically moving there beforehand.

So, my dilemma is whether to move to Cleveland, or to move to Findlay. If I do the former, I have a contact for potential employment. If I move to Findlay, I have the assurance of school, and I can look for a job when I get there, and a place to live. There are people at Findlay that can give me some guidance and possibly leads too.

Like I said, I'm in my 50s. I'm a single female, also looking for some social interaction. I will be moving with a dog and cat. I don't have family anywhere else, so if anyone suggests going near them, that's not an option.

Thanks!

[Natural510]

I guess it all depends how solid your contact with the Clinic may be; grad school is great for what it is, but still no guarantee of employment when you finish (though it does give you an advantage on the resume). The Findlay situation sounds more secure, and you can always move to Cleveland when you finish school. The debt load is a serious consideration, when faced with a smaller window between gradutation and retirement. Sounds like a dilemma where you should go with what feels "right".

[billmesh]

Why not do both? Assuming you can secure something at the Cleveland Clinic, move back here... then apply for a graduate program at one of the schools in the Cleveland area (CASE, Cleveland State, John Carroll, Baldwin-Wallace, etc...)

[Clevelander17]

I think CSU has an ESL graduate program, so maybe you can do both!

English as a Second Language (ESL) - Cleveland State University

[miamian in nc]

Good ideas to consider. I checked the CSU website, and that's not a degree program for someone wanting a teaching degree in ESL, but it is a lead to a new connection at CSU. It looks like they offer instruction in ESL and Intensive English. So, maybe they'll need instructors in the ESL program at some time. I'll send in my resume. Thanks.