Job Discussion Forums

khmerhit · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 5:26 pm Post subject: Why i like cambodia

Why I like Cambodia

by Khmerhit

Sorry to be a bore, however, someone has asked me in a private message (AND RHONDA ASKED IN A POST) to explain my obsession for this sad little country that I keep banging on about, the pathetic but intriguing parcel of land that sits way out on a limb of the Asian continent.

What, indeed, is so special about Cambodia?

Well, it's got it all--- it's got the heat, the skies, the rain and the dust of southeast asia.

Plus, it's got living history, exciting history, wacky history. It's got a king, a queen, a palace, a religion (a few religions)---all of them tenuously restored after being wiped off the map.

It's got something in the air, it's always on edge, forever simmering, perpetually on the boil...and it's indescribable, whatever it is.

It's got people who are eager to get back on their feet, but their proud and they'll do it anyway they can.

It's got people who laugh in their misery, instead of moaning at their prosperity like we do.

It's got different rules to yours and mine, a completely different sense of subjectivity, family, sometimes a different idea of right and wrong, left and right, up and down.

It's got amazing colours.

It's got interesting characters, and some very interesting expats.

It's got a devil-may-care philosophy, like the Wild West used to be--like Afghanistan, Iraq, like Hong Kong of old.

It's got jungle, forests, wild animals, fruit, flowers, ocean, mountains, temples, rivers, waterfalls, national parks, old cities, ruins, national festivals, tons of holidays..

Its got suffering.

It's got pain.

It's got death.

Above all, it's got life.

As someone once said, a bad day in Cambodia is better than any day in the West.

THUH END

Guest · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 5:35 pm Post subject:

EXCELLENT POST!

johnslat

Dear khmerhit,
I think what you posted, although it was about only Cambodia, may well be the reasons (or many of them, anyway) that a lot of us go into EFL in the first place.
Long live Cambodia and all other exotic (to us) places.
Regards,
John

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

You soppy tart khmer... but thanks.

said with a smile....

PS I hope you're familiar with UK vernacular...

Guest · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 10:56 pm Post subject:

Yes, I think you have described CHINA for me. Every day is a new experience, some good and some bad - but the majority good.

I have lived a pretty selfish life up until now and I am grateful for the opportunity to right that wrong.

I sometimes wonder if all TESL teachers truly appreciate the opportunity we have been given here.

august03 · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 159 Location: Jiangsu, China

But what about jobs? Are there any, how does one find a position. What about pay and cost of living? Please entice us even more.........

khmerhit · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 2:23 am Post subject:

Yeah, no problem, August. There's loads of jobs in Vietnam and Cambodia.

It might take a couple of months to get established, like anywhere, but it's certainly worth it.

The jobs journal on this website has some info. Generally, the standards they expect are rising, so it really helps to be qualified now, whereas five to ten years ago this was not the case. Depends on the school of course.

You can make up to 1500usd a month, with a good job. I made 1100 with two jobs, day and evening. A flat costs about 100 to 200 a month, and everything else is inexpensive, but of course if you eat out all the time and you're dining in French restautants and so on, it adds up.

It's not the ideal country for saving, but people dont go there for the money. I didnt.

You can't really get work unless you go there and suss it out for yourself, although it might be possible tocontact a few schools by email, such as ACE/IDP and Regent. Best thing is to go and drop your resume off at different schools, meet the teachers, that kind of thing.

You can PM me if you decide to go.

all best

kh

Cool

gugelhupf · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Jabotabek

A colleague of mine (not a TEFLer) has just gone off for his third holiday in Cambodia and Vietnam. Other people at work were teasing him about how he could have gone to the Seychelles or the Caribbean for the same price. His reply sounded uncannily like the words of Khmerhit.

Mark-O · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 8:33 am Post subject:

Khermhit, the original post was beautiful - the Tourist Board need to up your commission. I suggest 3 spoons of twigs and rice instead of the usual 2. You nearly had me packing my bags ...

senor boogie woogie

Hola!

Khmerhit, go to the 440 board, to the "Speakeasy Board" and answer some questions about coming to Cambodia! I want to come this summer for a four country roundup (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos)

Senor

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Senor,

Is that Ma and Pa Senor at home on the ranch in your avatar?

fat_c

I would want to go to Cambodia and teach English and learn Khmer.

Aramas · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 12:53 am Post subject:

Interesting stuff, Kmer. But you left out English backpacker chicks. Admittedly every country seems to have them now, but they are, after all, 'man's best friend'. They're even better than brown paper packages tied up with string! Smile

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Very good post.
I think khermit's post could describe a lot of countries. But obviously he loves Cambodia. Just loke others of us love other countreis. Smile

Capergirl · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:58 am Post subject:

@Khmerhit...It's about time you made a thread like this! Wink

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Congratulations on having written a fantastic intro to Cambodia!