Too old for this crap?
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Too old for this crap?
Hello!
In the hope that I don't come across as a whiny, old bastard, I'll try to keep this brief and to the point.
Since embarking on this venture of going over seas, I had combed these forums (among other sites) and unfortunately the answers are a mixed result - mostly negative and/or five year old posts. (Especially at Dave's Cafe). Teaching, which is only a means to the end, is not what I want to do the rest of my life. My plan is simple, I would like to teach for 5 years tops, save as much as I can and open a guesthouse or B&B. Hospitality is my trade. And I do enjoy it.
Reading various forums, I am getting cold feet. Oh, the job isn't the issue, I can easily do it - good or bad, I'm quite vigilant, especially if I took the time to fly halfway across the globe. My concern is my age. I will be a golden 45 years old once I reach Cambodia and, from what I understand for the South East Asia area - I'm past the age mark. It's a young market. I chose Cambodia because, it just seems interesting. (No, not for the never-ending alcohol or vast ocean of writhing poontang) I find South East Asia and especially Cambodia as lively, vibrant, interesting, mysterious and filled with enough demented expats that will keep me writing for years. (I am a published author, just finishing my fifth novel) I have lived twenty-years in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico - so locales being ruff around the edges are not new to me.
I now have an accredited TEFL degree and an old BA in Literature from USC, plus being well traveled. Though, I must admit, I have zero experience in class. The TEFL was acquired through "TEFL Boot Camp", an online school. My point is, I have the necassary credentials, I have saved 4k and I am ready. But, is age really a factor? I really would love to go.
Oh, and finally, I plan to arrive the beginning of Feb. Is that an off time to acquire work or is it still simply year round?
Thanks!
In the hope that I don't come across as a whiny, old bastard, I'll try to keep this brief and to the point.
Since embarking on this venture of going over seas, I had combed these forums (among other sites) and unfortunately the answers are a mixed result - mostly negative and/or five year old posts. (Especially at Dave's Cafe). Teaching, which is only a means to the end, is not what I want to do the rest of my life. My plan is simple, I would like to teach for 5 years tops, save as much as I can and open a guesthouse or B&B. Hospitality is my trade. And I do enjoy it.
Reading various forums, I am getting cold feet. Oh, the job isn't the issue, I can easily do it - good or bad, I'm quite vigilant, especially if I took the time to fly halfway across the globe. My concern is my age. I will be a golden 45 years old once I reach Cambodia and, from what I understand for the South East Asia area - I'm past the age mark. It's a young market. I chose Cambodia because, it just seems interesting. (No, not for the never-ending alcohol or vast ocean of writhing poontang) I find South East Asia and especially Cambodia as lively, vibrant, interesting, mysterious and filled with enough demented expats that will keep me writing for years. (I am a published author, just finishing my fifth novel) I have lived twenty-years in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico - so locales being ruff around the edges are not new to me.
I now have an accredited TEFL degree and an old BA in Literature from USC, plus being well traveled. Though, I must admit, I have zero experience in class. The TEFL was acquired through "TEFL Boot Camp", an online school. My point is, I have the necassary credentials, I have saved 4k and I am ready. But, is age really a factor? I really would love to go.
Oh, and finally, I plan to arrive the beginning of Feb. Is that an off time to acquire work or is it still simply year round?
Thanks!
A writer lives the sad truth just like anyone else, the only difference is - he files a report on it.
- hanky
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Forty-five isn't particularly old in that field, but with your qualifications and experience in writing you should be able to get a better position than TEFL, maybe teaching some sort of literature or writing or something at a University.
Who Gives a Fuck?
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Not old for Cambodia. Many expat teachers are your age, and most of the expat males in PP are of your generation.
Without classroom experience you will likely have to start off with a crappy low paying gig, altho as Hanky says you could strike lucky with an English Lit gig. i've taught that at Norton and Pannasastra universities.
Without classroom experience you will likely have to start off with a crappy low paying gig, altho as Hanky says you could strike lucky with an English Lit gig. i've taught that at Norton and Pannasastra universities.
I came, I argued, I'm out
- Bitteeinbit
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All the above posts speak the truth, though I think you could save more money somewhere else. Are you still living in Mexico? Either way your plan is feasible.
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Thank you everyone! Just bought a plane ticket for Feb. 2012! I'M GOING TO CAMBODIA!!
A writer lives the sad truth just like anyone else, the only difference is - he files a report on it.
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Thanks, Hanky - I will start of with a little caution, attain a TEFL spot until I acquire more contacts. Then, start moving up the post!hanky wrote:Forty-five isn't particularly old in that field, but with your qualifications and experience in writing you should be able to get a better position than TEFL, maybe teaching some sort of literature or writing or something at a University.
A writer lives the sad truth just like anyone else, the only difference is - he files a report on it.
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That's what I'm thinking - starting with a TEFL job then branching upwards once I get use to the city. Thanks!andyinasia wrote:Not old for Cambodia. Many expat teachers are your age, and most of the expat males in PP are of your generation.
Without classroom experience you will likely have to start off with a crappy low paying gig, altho as Hanky says you could strike lucky with an English Lit gig. i've taught that at Norton and Pannasastra universities.
A writer lives the sad truth just like anyone else, the only difference is - he files a report on it.
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hanky wrote:Forty-five isn't particularly old in that field, but with your qualifications and experience in writing you should be able to get a better position than TEFL, maybe teaching some sort of literature or writing or something at a University.
Oh and Hanky - linked your blog with mine. Been reading it for a few months. Your pictures and writing inspired me on Cambodia a great deal! Good reading! Originally, I was going to Taiwan, but it really didn't appeal to me that much. Too antiseptic and stratified for my tastes. As I mentioned, I lived in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico (I now reside in El Paso, Texas across the border - the cartel violence in Juarez has gotten VERY bad, more than the media covers - 12 murders a day and rising) and the stories that I like to pen are gritty, earthy stories of real people over coming poverty and addiction. Your average Joe loves reading that stuff. Phnom Penh and the ruff, squalid urban life seems great fodder for my type of writing. Thanks for the kind words!
A writer lives the sad truth just like anyone else, the only difference is - he files a report on it.
- Phuket2006
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45 is young and do what you enjoy doing. if u have $20,000 u can pick up an existing GH or build one urself
I am curious,
Make sure u have a few grand when u arrive so ur not forced into taking the first job offered.
I lived and taught school in Mexico and its quite different from Cambodia. Not better or worse but definitely different
I am curious,
5 novels and u still need to pick up a job teaching English and what did u do in Mexico. I know having a published novel does not guarantee u will make much but it should have made u something.(I am a published author, just finishing my fifth novel) I have lived twenty-years in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico - so locales being ruff around the edges are not new to me.
Make sure u have a few grand when u arrive so ur not forced into taking the first job offered.
I lived and taught school in Mexico and its quite different from Cambodia. Not better or worse but definitely different
"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer." HST
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It's true. Phuket2000, the publishing game is a tricky fish. Success is all who you know, and I know no one. My books do sale, but I make no more than $500 a month on royalties average and that's only if I go out tubthumping. Basically, I just write because I like writing. I have only been at it for a few years and written many times in my blog I'll likely be famous after I'm dead! haha! There are thousands of good writers in the field, but only a small amount get the limelight. In both Tijuana and Juarez, I worked stateside in hotels - so that is why I think I can run a darn good guesthouse.Phuket2006 wrote:45 is young and do what you enjoy doing. if u have $20,000 u can pick up an existing GH or build one urself
I am curious,5 novels and u still need to pick up a job teaching English and what did u do in Mexico. I know having a published novel does not guarantee u will make much but it should have made u something.(I am a published author, just finishing my fifth novel) I have lived twenty-years in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico - so locales being ruff around the edges are not new to me.
Make sure u have a few grand when u arrive so ur not forced into taking the first job offered.
I lived and taught school in Mexico and its quite different from Cambodia. Not better or worse but definitely different
Thank you for the advice on backup money, I will be arriving with 4k under my belt and no vices...except cigarettes! haha!
A writer lives the sad truth just like anyone else, the only difference is - he files a report on it.
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SunSan wrote:Cigarettes are 25c a pack.
Aye, blessed be! The promised land! Eight bucks a pack here in the States!
A writer lives the sad truth just like anyone else, the only difference is - he files a report on it.