Like the post says, after 3 years living in Cambo (PP), I am considering moving to China or Vietnam.
My background: Teaching and living in Bangkok for around 4 years. Teaching and living in PP off-and-on for the time I lived there. I am currently in the UK (white 30 something male). I have almost finished my degree through the Open University but not yet completed, and I hold a TEFL and about 2+ years classroom experience.
I know I will have to jump through a fair few hoops whatever country I choose, but China (albeit with free apartment etc) seems to be cracking down hard on 'teachers' with no degree. I also love S.E.A and can pick up languages fairly easily - so I am inclined to go with Vietnam.
Is there anybody on here who can give me any helpful advice from personal experiences?
Cheers!
Left Cambodia. China or Vietnam next?
I taught in China 6 years ago - only until I had finished the 90 day trial period. Most of the schools there were burn and churn. We had to be in the school from 9am - 7 or 9pm, even when we had no lessons scheduled. The teachers' room was a clear plastic room-within a room. Parents, visitors, and students viewed us like animals in a zoo. The pay was about $800 US/month. I loved the people, which is the main reason I retired to Cambodia. The reason I only stayed 3 months was the pollution and health hazards endemic to China. I was in a city called Ningbo. You couldn't drink the water - not even to rinse your toothbrush. The river running through the city was so polluted, it'd make you gag on a warm day. There was no soil, as such - just 7,000 years worth of rotting human detritus as you dug down. Every teacher in my school, myself included, came down with a lung infection within a month of arrival. Teachers, as are all workers, are treated as serfs. I was there during the contaminated milk scare. I drank soy milk, and apparently it was adulterated as well, because with 18 months of returning, I passed 2 kidney stones(one of the side effects of aduterated milk). One more thing - some of the bottled water is drawn directly from the river - you have to ask a shopkeeper which water is for foreigners.
Hey, I loved the people and culture, the crowds, the girls all holding hands and carrying umbrellas against the sun, and the buzz of a country with big plans. I fear, however, and this is just my opinion, that the pollution is so bad, they'll never recover.
Hey, I loved the people and culture, the crowds, the girls all holding hands and carrying umbrellas against the sun, and the buzz of a country with big plans. I fear, however, and this is just my opinion, that the pollution is so bad, they'll never recover.
Been to mainland China, but lived in Vietnam. I personally like Vietnam more, but I also speak Vietnamese some, so that probably has to do a lot with why I liked it more.
Honestly though, I've had a lot of friends tell me that Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) could be rather hostile or at least uncomfortable in a way for foreigners. Overcharging and being taken advantage of, etc, it even happens to my family (who are Vietnamese). It was a mixed response I'd get when talking to expats from there, some liked it, some didn't.
Honestly though, I've had a lot of friends tell me that Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) could be rather hostile or at least uncomfortable in a way for foreigners. Overcharging and being taken advantage of, etc, it even happens to my family (who are Vietnamese). It was a mixed response I'd get when talking to expats from there, some liked it, some didn't.
Reckless driving cucumber - 成
Thanks for the replies.
I have heard similar stories as these also. My main issue is that I have not completed my Uni degree yet (almost there) so I will be working illegally whatever choice I make. I think China would take a harsher stance than Vietnam if I were to get found out, although that is just my opinion.
I am currently leaning towards Vietnam but would love to hear more opinions.
Cheers!
I have heard similar stories as these also. My main issue is that I have not completed my Uni degree yet (almost there) so I will be working illegally whatever choice I make. I think China would take a harsher stance than Vietnam if I were to get found out, although that is just my opinion.
I am currently leaning towards Vietnam but would love to hear more opinions.
Cheers!
"dge, phn nh"
I'm sure there's legal options for schools honestly. I've worked teaching English in Japan (granted I am a Japanese national) without having a degree, but I also have a friend from Texas who teaches in Tokyo who doesn't have a degree either. I'm thinking there are setups that will let you get around this legally as honestly, if you're a good teacher, a reasonable school or company WILL hire you. Anyone who has had to hire staff before knows that in reality, degrees mean nothing in terms of practical skills and knowledge.
Reckless driving cucumber - 成
At the time I worked in China, a degree was not required to teach. One of our teachers from SA had only a high school diploma.
^^And to add, I taught without a high school diploma as well, so even that is not required.
Reckless driving cucumber - 成
A school I worked for in Phnom Penh said I was one of their better teachers. I was the only one (apparently) that didn't have a degree, so I know that having the necessary skill set is more important than having an irrelevant degree. I'm currently leaning towards Vietnam, although I am concerned that my standard of living will not be as good as China offers (free apartment etc).
"dge, phn nh"
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