Job Discussion Forums

[butterfly11]

Just wondering if anyone with a child (or anyone who knows of someone with a child) has tried living and teaching English anywhere in Asia. Is this totally crazy - can it be done? I'm a New Zealander and I also have a British passport/EU status and I have previously taught English in Korea (before bubs). My daughter is 15 months old, and her dad would come along to look after her while I am working.
Any thoughts from anyone much appreciated.

[laura1d]

Hi there,

My name is Laura and I teach in Thailand. I do not have a child of my own but I know of two couples with kids that teach here. They have no problems at all. One has a girl at high school and one has a baby.

Really, if you are willing to take the leap then all problems (which obviously you will have overcome) will be no worries.

Good luck.
Laura

[Gordon]

Not sure why you would think it would be odd or crazy. Many of us have kids and are teaching overseas. We brought our 6 month old, almost 3 years ago and it is so much fun.
Where do you want to live? Many countries will give your husband a dependent's visa so he will not have to leave the country all the time to get a new visa. Japan is one such place and he could still work p/t, up to about $12,000 US/year.

[Yu]

I am living in China with my husband and our 3.5 year old. We have a housekeeper who takes care of our child when we need to work or to go out an have some fun. We pay here about 1.5 USD per hour (and you can find them cheaper). Not really any problems here.

[daily chai]

Just another supportive post: I don't have kids, but a good friend taught in Japan as a single mother several years ago. She said it was the (positive!) experience of a lifetime.

If I'm reading your post correctly, it sounds like you and the father are not married. If he has a passport from an English-speaking country and at least a BA/BS, then he will be able to find work and get a visa on his own. If not, then you two might want to consider marriage. My husband and I have been together 5 years and love each other totally--but since we come from different countries that spurred us on to marriage. That little document makes it much easier to be together anywhere. We got married in Asia for USD60, including the marriage license and cost of notarized documents from our embassies. It was prohibitively expensive for us in Europe. Please surf around about getting married in another country before deciding to do so in NZ.

If you are, then Gordon is right--it will be simple to get him permission to reside, and possibly to work based on your visa. It depends on each countrie's rules. In Taiwan where I am my husband can't work on his family reunion visa. Even Taiwanese citizens with foreign spouses can't get permission for their spouses to work--they are voters, and they are compalining vigorously so that may change. My fingers are crossed for them. Now that I know this about Japan--I'm going to look into the Land of the Rising Sun!

[Glenski]

Read more on this topic in the Japan forum. Having a youngster and husband here to support is NOT that easy.

[cha muir]

My wife and I returned to Korea with our two year old. It was hard at times but well worth it. Travelling and working in another country with children is a great way to get closer to the local population. Children are like little ambasssadors.

More recently we spent two years in Vietnam, and my wife gave birth in Bangkok.

Now we are planning to go to Japan for a year or two.

If its totally crazy and can't be done, so much more reason to go and do it!


Good luck to you. let us all know what you are deciding. I'm sure all the friendly folk on this forum will do their best to help you.


Truly,

cha