Job Discussion Forums

[eek]

As this is asia related I am posting here instead of the newbie section. Opinions will be MOST appreciated, both male and female, but being female some female perspective would help a lot.

ok some background info (pls dont fall asleep yet guys!) 33 yr old scottish female (v mild accent ), lived in UK, Europe and S.America. Honours Degree in Fine Art, taught art to adults & children for many years. Decided on a change of career last year after splitting up with partner, moved into cg art, but alas, miss travelling, miss teaching, love culture shock (but not always hah), disgruntled by London and want a change of scenery and some sunshine.

Thing is, I have never been to S.E.Asia, but always wanted to. I'm very green on the teaching overseas malarky and wish to train for a tefl or CELTA in poss thailand or ? Looking for advice from experienced teachers esp from a female perspective. Some forums scare the bejesus out of me in the sense that they go on about how a western female in certain parts of asia will not have any kind of life because men, western and asian alike, will find them repulsive! That they arent respected and given lower wages etc etc. Im not to make my fortune (but i do have to earn!) and im SO not out to bag a man, but doesnt mean to say I dont wish to have enjoyment both in work and socially. I dont need my ego fed, but I dont particularly wanna feel crap about myself everyday either. I know there is a seedier side to certain parts of asia, I dont take a moral high ground regarding this. Im out for a rewarding experience, hopefully can save some cash instead of using up my safety net of savings and hopefully make some interesting (in a good way) friends along the way. I intend to test the water regardless of what is said, but i wish attempt to choose the right first place wisely with as much background info good and bad as possible.

Im thinking maybe my best bet is to do the CELTA in Thailand then take a lil time travelling. I'm doing this solo, so I will need to get clued up on what I should and shouldnt do.

What I mainly want to prepare myself for is what life will be like for a 30ish yr old female in dif parts of asia based on peoples personal experiences. Im not ugly, but i dont class myself as drop dead gorgeous either. Brown hair, blue eyes, 5'7",size 10 (i'l prolly be huge by asian standards tho in any case so i guess blending in wont be an option). Im pretty laid back (or so i think) but do work hard. Do you recon im gonna be disillusioned pretty fast, or have an enjoyable experience? ( i know it depends on the individual though, but like i said, i wish to be somewhat prepared).

Heres hoping this thread wont die.

cheers all who take the time to help.

(p.s thinking of visiting philippines on my own too..is that a disastrous idea? Already know a little tagalog. Love the country from afar, but im only hearing negative stories atm.)

[sigmoid]

[eek]

Great advice, great links.

MUCH appreciated sigmoid!

Im considering that ill do the CELTA in bangkok for a month then take a short break to have a feel for where i want to teach for a year. I was thinking to go to Hanoi and Saigon and really want to visit Cebu. Actually i love filipinos (the few i know) but im not sure if i'll love it all when i actually go there for myself. Id like to visit a lot of philippines actually, but i hear many mixed reports on how safe/unsafe it is. I may go to taiwan and korea (but read that korea isnt so great for teaching in..again i wouldnt know).

Any tips on these areas (or others u recommend) esp phils and vietnam as I know people from nam and philippines (and they have family there so gives me a point of contact too). Of course friends have given me advice on phils and nam but not from a westerner teaching perspective.

[kuberkat]

eek

From your post it is obvious that you are intelligent and self-reliant and can make it anywhere. You will love SEA , and traveling a bit after getting your CELTA will give you a chance to choose a place to stay. During your course you are likely to find out more from local employers. SEA is not the highest paying past of Asia, but it does offer quality of life.

BTW, I don't think western women are considered quite repulsive, just kinda asexual. It didn't usually bother me until Friday night!

[eek]

tnx kuberkat.

[kuberkat]

Hello again, Eek.

Everywhere I have been in EAsia, there was no shortage of new faces keen to make friends. Many local people are keen to practice their English, if nothing else. (Do be aware that they might also want to you to buy something: sometimes this is worthwhile, sometimes not.) Travelers and foreign workers are often wonderful once you get to know them, though many are so distant at first that it might not happen. You might be distant yourself after a while - I know I am.

So social life there will be if you want it, but be willing to be flexible about the form it takes. Many intercultural friendships do not go far beyond discussing cultural differences, which can become tedious. Also, friendships with other expats or travelers may run deep on occasion, but I for one occasionally miss the depth of an established friendship.

As to love, the phenomenon rather harshly referred to as "yellow fever" will rule out your having to kiss too many frogs. Any western male in Asia who is willing to get to know a foreign female is probably a prince anyway, since he will be after your substance rather than your blind adoration or shapely rear.

I must add that I always felt professionally respected by my male colleagues- and as you will see, they make up 70% of Asia TEFLers. At least harrassment was no problem- though my female Asian colleagues may disagree. They were often discussed like slabs of meat. And frankly, m'dear, I'd rather inhabit the androgynous twilight zone of the western woman in Asia.

(As a postscript I have had very thorough ugly duckling rehab since moving to the Middle East, where, though happily ever after may not be on the cards, any western woman is considered a goddess. And that's happily ever after enough for me!)

Feel free to PM me if I can help out at all.