Whatever Comes, Eat It

Book excerpt: In 2004, Canadian Kathy Binns was offered a job teaching middle school in Moscow. Thus began an incredible overseas adventure that lasted seventeen years. With humour, candour, and a keen observational eye, Kathy recounts her memorable experiences inside and out of the English-speaking expat bubbles in the various places she and her husband Michael lived and worked. Russia Bangladesh, Thailand, Jeju Island, South Korea, and the UAE provided extraordinary experiences. At times, her circumstances were stressful, but as she observes, the good always outweighed the bad. Her memoir takes readers on an enlightening and entertaining tour across the globe. Kathy covers the nitty-gritty travelogue details of food, language, flora and fauna, where to stay, and how to get around. She delves into the fascinating history and cultural contexts of each place she has lived. Anyone considering an international teaching adventure of their own will benefit from the wealth of experiential wisdom and practical advice that Kathy shares along the way—but everyone with a bit of wanderlust will appreciate this account of the joys and challenges of living overseas!