Job Discussion Forums

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Hi,

I have been offered a gap year experience at an international school in Vietnam. The school inform me that I will enter Vietnam on a 3 month visa and leave to re-enter every 3 months. Anyone have any experience of a similar gap year opportunity?

Thanks!

pellinzo · Joined: 26 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

Hi

What is the name of the school?

mushroom_season · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 42

Be careful, you might be in for a rough ride. Schools that insist on visa runs as a condition of employment are generally not worth working for. They should be able to take care of your work permit depending on your level of qualifications.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Sat May 31, 2014 9:00 am Post subject:

TRH · Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Posts: 340 Location: Hawaii

mushroom_season · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 42

Thats what I meant by depending on your level of qualifications. I have found the term gap year to be rather rubbery. Maybe stay for the first 3 months but I wouldnt come back to that employer.

skarper · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 477

Agreed - last thing Vietnam needs is young, wide eyed kids on gap years getting used [illegally] to teach English.

OP should steer clear of this as well for entirely selfish reasons. I'd say 99% of the time you'll regret it and it will cost you money.

I'd actually have a bit of a laugh stringing them along - saying I'm on my way etc etc then just not show up at the airport - or if they send you a free plane ticket [unlikely I admit] enter on a tourist visa and have a cheap holiday - just walk past anyone who is sent to meet you at the airport!

But joking aside this is a TWOT for the OP at best. Nearly all GAP years are - better to get a job for 6-9 months and then have a bit of an exotic holiday before university.

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

Damm! Haven't seen one THIS dodgy in a while.

First off, if they are willing to accept you during you "gap year" - generally speaking, this "school" isn't what is properly labeled as an "international school"

The legitimate international schools Viet Nam require, at the very least, a Bachelor's of Education degree AND a Government Teaching License from your home country.

This place doesn't sound like a genuine international school.

Secondly, I know that work permit procedures have become very difficult in Viet Nam over the past year!! So difficult that it has gotten to the point where one major mill is NOW doing four-month contracts (three months/90 days teaching and one month holiday) to AVOID the work permit quagmire.

PROPER international schools in Viet Nam, because their fees to the students go around €11,000 per year, just deal with the work permit rubbish and go ahead and obtain it anyways for the instructor! So this offer to the OP raises red flags all over the place...

Finally, a place claiming to be an international school or even a normal mill - when they suggest "three-month-visa-runs"........turn around and run away as quickly as you can!! (Unless they are paying for the flight and putting you up in a posh hotel in Bangkok.......then take it)!

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Thanks everyone. Your advice is much appreciated! I will take note and think again....