Working Life in London

I had had an interview right before I flew to Hong Kong weeks ago. This interview totally changed my plan in the near future.

As my student visa would end at the end of March while I am still studying a short course in London, I planned to have my vacation in Hong Kong for weeks. Even though I planned to go back to Hong Kong for good after summer, I chose to go home during the Easter break and spend time with my parents. Going home and meeting friends is a symbol for me to celebrate the completion of my master degree.

Two months ago, I made a trial to send out some application forms for seeking jobs in order to gain some interview experience, albeit with a "playful heart". I haven't received any news until the time I received an email which asked me to go for an interview.

My flight was scheduled on Sunday and the interview was taken on Friday, two days before I flew to Hong Kong. When I received the email notifying me to have the interview on that Monday, I felt so ambivalent and apprehensive.

When I knew that I would leave this country soon, I started to miss this place as well as the friends I met here.
When I believed that I might have the opportunity to stay here for a bit longer, I realized that I really want to go back to my hometown, to speak my own language and to return to my normal daily life. I thus prayed to God, ‘if the stay is not your will, please don't give me any offer’.

The post that I applied was a women’s worker in a Chinese Centre. I will work with the Chinese women who suffer from domestic violence. It will be a heavy task to me, I guess. To be honest, I had not strong determination to get this job. I took the interview with a prayerful heart. I trust that God has been guiding me throughout the years and He will do so as well. During the interview, what I could tell were only the truth and my struggles, e.g. I did not know a lot about the social welfare systems in UK. I was not sure how long I could commit to the job.

The interviewers, unexpectedly, told me right after the interview that they would like to offer me the job. I wondered why they gave me the offer so promptly. I did not think I had a good interview, as I behaved as a naïve person and I did not show strong ambition to get the job. Interestingly, the interviewers told me that they appreciated especially my honesty. HA? It, to me, appeared to be a dramatic and puzzling scene.

I was really shocked by this unexpected news. I thought I would then know the result after I arrived in Hong Kong. I could thus make the decision after discussing with my friends and mentors in Hong Kong. The offer, however, was given right after the interview. Does it mean that my stay in London is God’s will? Or, God grants me totally free-will and thus accepting the offer could be my mere choice? I was overwhelmed by all that I had faced before my Hong Kong trip. Although I said 'yes' to the interviewers at that moment, I prayed and shared it with many people in Hong Kong and I wish I can see clearer what God wants me to do in my next journey.

I, in peace, finally accepted the offer and I already get the work permit. I will start working soon. I believe that it will be a total new experience to me and it will bring me many new challenges to work with English-, Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking people in the western world. I feel really apprehensive but excited to take this challenge. Being a working lady is so different from being an overseas student here. I will really "enter" into the UK systems.

Life is full of adventure. I am looking forwards to experiencing my new working life ahead. May God's strength and wisdom and love be with me always. Amen.