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Argofoto · Joined: 28 Aug 2012 Posts: 61 Location: Philadelphia

So, I plan on going to Thailand next year starting in the beginning of April. My question is how much money should I save up for start-up costs and the such. I would stay in Bangkok, in the proximity of the NIST school.

I am vegetarian and seldomly drink alcohol, so for emergency and personal effects, starting food costs, would two thousand dollars on hand be enough?

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

$2000 US? I wish I could say yes, but I don't think so. I would say $4000 US minimum. That is assuming that you can't get ahold of money easily from other sources. All sorts of things could happen for instance, no income due to loss of employment for months (during which you would also have to be dealing with visas), unexpected medical problems (you could get bit one of the street dogs requiring rabies vaccinations, lung problems from the nasty pollution, unexpected injury etc.).

tttompatz · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:18 am Post subject: Re: Green Money

Argofoto · Joined: 28 Aug 2012 Posts: 61 Location: Philadelphia

I am Caucasian (though slightly tan but tall and blue eyes (worse than ASL? ....)) and a native English speaker from the U.S. I don't know how I could prove that besides writing more informally. Honestly, I prefer British English (Queens/Kings whatever you want to call it) but when I pissed off I'll just swing back in my mother tongue from the city that never sleeps (ok that was pretty bad). At my current job I have to use professional business English which is pretty much British.

I wonder if pursuing a Master's in Bangkok would help prolong the visa. From what I understand, I can get a 3 month visa through a TEFL course here, which is part of the Master's (UEC Thai). I have no educational background in education regarding my Bachelor's, so a Master's is essential in my mind and is what I will focus on primarily. The Master's course presumably will last for a year and a half, possibly less but likely more.

I will have a lot more than $2000 saved up, with the rest being for the Master's courses. I also have credit cards for even worse emergencies but hope it doesn't come down to that. Worst case scenario is I take a hiatus and fly back and work (merchant mariner), saving up more money to come back. Amazingly, it will still be far cheaper than any college in the states, and I want to attend the school (not distance learning).

Otherwise, I hope I can find fresh raw local food...

I wonder how one would compare the air quality of Manhattan to Thailand. Manhattan on a hot summer day for a year and a half...

tttompatz · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 5:18 am Post subject:

Are you going as a student or are you going to work?

If you are going as a graduate student (working on a Master's degree) then I don't really have an answer for you. $2000 is about enough for 2-3 months of living expenses in BKK NOT including things like deposits for your apartment, furniture, nights in the bright lights, etc.

If you are going to find work as a teacher (assumed since you are posting your questions on an ESL/EFL teachers forum) then you clearly fit profile <a>:
Caucasian, undergrad (bachelor's) degree and native speaker (US passport).

April is the best time to be looking for work.

You do not need experience to find work as an English teacher (there are all kinds of government schools and language academies who will hire you straight off the plane come next April).

You meet the requirements for a visa (non-b) and work permit.

A TEFL/TESL/TESOL course, certificate/degree is NOT a requirement for finding work, a visa or work permit although it certainly would be an asset when you are dropped into a classroom and expected to know how to impart your knowledge and skill to your students.

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