The Return of Flu Season

2.jpgIt’s that time of year again when you take the chicken soup and Kleenex out of storage. Pull the covers up over your head and go back to sleep for another half an hour. Avoid shaking hands with people because you might make each other sick.

I’m not sure if it’s officially cold or flu season, but the TEFL Logue is affected. I’m sorry to say I have a minor cold. After a short foray into my personal “Kleenex conundrum,” I’ll share some insight and advice on being sick while TEFLing.

As for the Kleenex: I get sick only rarely and have colds even less often. I keep a few tiny 10-tissue packs on hand for assorted emergencies, but that’s it. The result is that when I get sick, I abuse my nose with pink Eastern European toilet paper. I’m also perennially optimistic about my imminent recovery, plus, the last thing I want to do when I’m sick is run around the multiple layers of Tesco looking for the perfect box of Kleenex and then waiting in line half an hour to pay. For these reasons, I typically put off buying proper Kleenex until the situation becomes nearly unbearable. But by this time, I’m aware that I’m unlikely to use the whole box of Kleenex, and also unlikely to get sick again any time soon. I also know that if I buy that box of Kleenex, because of both my budget and my concern for the environment, I’ll end up lugging it around India in my backpack or something because I don’t want to waste it.

I caved in and bought a box of Kleenex today.

What do you need to know about getting sick while TEFLing:

  • Before you get sick, make sure you have insurance. Most likely your employer covers this, but if not, check out Bootsnall’s travel insurance.

  • Teaching is definitely a job where your absence will be noticed to say the least; I think most teachers do their utmost to work if there’s no replacement. But if you’re really sick, just give as much notice as you can and stay in and recover.
  • Going to the doctor can be less than fun, but if you need to go, go. You will come away from it healthier and with a bunch of fun stories to tell your grandkids.
  • Finally some TEFL Logue tested home remedies: to prevent a sore throat from getting worse: gargle salt water. To get rid of a cough for good, boil a pear with some honey and drink the liquid part (this remedy came from a student from China – the Slovak verion replaces the pear with an onion. Guess which one I’ve tried?)