I need help making lemonade from the veritable cornucopia of lemons I have

So many lemons.

Back in August, I accepted an internship here in Germany teaching/introducing English to kindergartners. And, while the program has definitely had its share of ups and downs --especially concerning language barriers-- I generally have been having a great time.

And then I fell.

I fell whilst playing tag with some kids on the playground. My right arm took the brunt of the fall, sacrificing a tendon in my shoulder. This was February 12th, and I have been off from work since. Per my contract and indeed German law, the company has to provide me with up to six weeks of sick pay and medical costs. After that, ones insurance would take over, paying you your wages plus and medical expenses incurred. This is all well and good if you're German, but being an American with only basic student insurance, this is not the case.

Now with all of this I have made my peace; given my limited arm use and lengthy recovery time, staying here in my efficiency apartment with no money is untenable. So, I have to come back to the U.S.; unable to work, no car, and, more importantly, no insurance. Fortunately, I have a place to stay. I really don't know what to do. I know it's not the end of the world and that I will recover, but I don't foresee this being easy. I want to start a brewery, but honestly, I have no idea where to start, or even just how feasible my idea is.

Thanks for reading. Any advice?

I'd have thought that for a workplace injury, they'd be on the hook for longer than 6 weeks?

Sorry, no advice but good luck.

That sucks. Are you coming back to Kent?

mtn wrote: I'd have thought that for a workplace injury, they'd be on the hook for longer than 6 weeks? Sorry, no advice but good luck.

German efficiency yo.

Sorry to hear about this, sounds kinda like a freak injury.

That's all I have to add

In reply to mtn:

Idk how 'workplace' the playground is considered

Visit Canada... Fall down again?

I guess I'm a little confused here, you really need both arms to teach English?

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Pretty sure visitors in Canada have to pay, given it's at cost*, but they are billed.

*My sister once took an ambulance ride and a benadryl shot up there over a nasty allergic reaction to something, basic outpatient ER trip, whole deal worked out to a three digit number.

bravenrace wrote: That sucks. Are you coming back to Kent?

I wish. Unfortunately, my family lives in southern Ashtabula country.

Yes, I need two arms to work with kindergarteners. I am with the children all throughout their day interacting with them in English.

That would make sense, I forgot how dealing with 5 year olds worked.

I imagine you've picked up a fair amount of German spending half a year or so over there, that might open up some employment opportunities over here?

You can't start a brewery. Get that out of your head. You need income.

Maybe do sales? You only need one arm to hold a phone.

What's your prognosis for healing?
It seems like your ESL exposure would make you ideal to travel to another part of the world and teach some more, maybe with older kids that don't need to be picked up? Getting the shoulder healed properly should probably be a priority.

Sales sounds like a good opportunity.

mazdeuce wrote: What's your prognosis for healing? It seems like your ESL exposure would make you ideal to travel to another part of the world and teach some more, maybe with older kids that don't need to be picked up? Getting the shoulder healed properly should probably be a priority.

This. Can you get a gig teaching english to older German students? Can you do some sort of english tutoring over there? The arm sounds painful - what is the long term prognosis for it?