Back in 2001 I was lucky enough to take redundancy from one of the BA franchises and didn't know what to do. As a Cabin Crew trainer I still wanted to stay training and a friend suggested teaching English as a foreign language. So I forked out £1000 for a proper TEFL course and started my first job in Istanbul.
My last position was working for the British Council in Syria for a summer job and to be honest I have never enjoyed myself so much. I have worked in Afghanistan and Pakistan, now back in the UK teaching and starting a Cert Ed course to qualify properly. But I have eyes on the Middle East so watch out Dubai I'll be there next year!!!
So there is life after EK, BA, VA but you have to be prepared for some hard work.