Going to Iraq presents some challenges. But if you pray, ask for good counsel, and apply to teach with us, you might get to come!
1) Pray. A lot.
Iraq is not an easy part of the world to serve in. It’s difficult to travel to, it’s hot, it’s spiritually challenging. Pray before you do anything else. Pray while you apply. Pray after you are accepted. And know that all of us are praying for you as you look at going to Iraq, too!
2) Talk to the people in your life about it.
You don’t go to Iraq alone. It’s really important for you to have a well-established group of people who will encourage, pray for, and support you. Listen to their advice and concerns. They can help you know what things you need to ask about as you chat with us. Talk to the people who know you best and be open to their thoughts on you living in Iraq.
3) Fill out an interest form.
It’s super short and requires zero commitment from you. Basically, it puts you in touch with me and I am here to help!
4) Ask lots of questions!
There is no question too bizarre or too silly. In fact, I love answering weird questions! It’s part of why I loved being a teacher. I want you to know what you are getting into so I promise to be 100% honest. And if my 5 years of experience living and working in Iraq doesn’t help me answer your question I have a rich a varied pool of experienced people that I can inquire of for you.
5) Fill out an application.
Once you’ve had some back and forth with me (and I feel fairly certain you’re not too crazy), I’ll send you a link to our candidate application. This one is much longer and more personal than the interest form that you filled out because we really want to get to know you as a person. I read through your app, contact your references, and then pass the application along to John and Dave. We might have some notes of clarifying questions, but generally, we want to get to the next step which is…
6) Face to face interview with Dave, John, and myself.
Depending on where you live this interview could be over Skype/Facetime or in person here at SGI HQ. This is the step that many people find to be the most intimidating. Or maybe I find it to be the most intimidating. Sitting down for a nice personal chat with three complete strangers is not everyone’s idea of a good time. Be we’re quite nice, I promise! Really, this is a chance for you to ask more questions and get to know us. At this point we already like you. So relax, be yourself and don’t be afraid of awkward silences. Sometimes we don’t know what to say either.
That’s it! (That’s not it; there’s a lot more, but at this point, you should know if you want to go to Iraq. And we should know, too. What comes after this is shrouded in mystery.)
