Job Discussion Forums

guipo

I recently found out that I was not eligible for a work permit in South Korea because although my native language is English I didn't go to an English speaking university (it's not in an English speaking country either). I really wanted to go to SKorea because everyone said it was the place to go if you wanted to save money. Now that I've scratched this option I wondered where would other places be that allowed me to save money like SKorea. So if anyone out there has any suggestions I'd appreciate it if they shared them with me. Take into account the non English speaking university thing, it has to be a country that doesn't take that into consideration. Thank you for any help you can give me...

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

Taiwan, or the Middle East. Where did you go to uni anyways?

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

If the yen stays this strong, Japan.

Sansibar1 · Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 43

Hi guipo.

I was in the exact same position as you are in now.
I'm a native English speaker that went to a German university.
Even though 70% of my studies were in English I wasn't able to get a work permit for SKorea.
I then chose KSA instead and was able to save a good amount. (About 20K in one year.)

So like naturegirl says, try the Middle East.

chrisms86 · Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 30

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:55 pm Post subject:

Dear guipo,
Unless you have an MA (in TESOL or Applied Linguistics) and a few years overseas experience (3 to 5 would be good), the chances of your getting a job in Saudi Arabia where you could save $20,000 a year are between slim and none.
I spent 19 years in the Kingdom.
Regards,
John

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:32 am Post subject:

So 19 years times $20K...

If you're not absolute crap at investing, I assume this helped a lot with retirement planning! Wink

I've heard that some of the Mcschools (EF; Inlingua) are active in Saudi, and require less quals than say, the local unis. Money's still said to be good, but a lot of hours for it...

Best,
Justin

johnslat · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:16 am Post subject:

Dear Justin.

You have heard, perhaps, the saying:

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Guess who inspired that.

Yes, EF and IH and some other private language schools are in the Kingdom, and that's just about the only place a "non-MA" could find a job. It depends a lot on the branch manager, of course, but a quick scan of the Saudi forum will reveal that there are not too many good things to be said about such a position.
And if anyone could save $20,000 a years in such a job, they would
have to be somene who'd make Scrooge look like a spendthrift.

Regards,
John

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

Dear Johnslat,
I bet I am not the only one who would love to hear your life story. I bet there were some ups and downs. Yet you always post like a true gentleman.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:20 am Post subject:

Dear Nabby Adams,

Why, thank you. It's been . . . interesting. Some high and low-lights:

Two wars, one as a participant (Vietnam), one as a spectator (Desert Storm - though we did get Scudded in Riyadh), one revolution (Iran in 1976), three marriages (first wife far too crazy; second wife much too sane; third time lucky . . . going on five years now, a record for me.) Taught every level from Head Start through university (and loved every job I've had.) Too many years (late 60s, 70s and 80s) lost in a booze haze, but clean and sober now for seven years,.
Have taught in Iran, Saudi, Indonesia, Florida, Colorado, California, Kansas, Missouri. Now teaching at the New Mexico State Penitentiary, GED.

Life has been good (although I have occasionally been bad.)

Regards,
John

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:45 am Post subject:

I always figured a fool and his money were lucky to get together in the first place. But sometimes it can be a heck of a one night stand.

And think, over the years, how many times you've probably been told you would wind up in jail? Bout time, I say! Wink

I'm currently in Korea, earning serious adult money for the first time in my life...leaving on Saturday, though.

Best,

Justin

EFL is the last refuge of scoundrels and other interesting types!

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Sansibar1 · Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 43

No one said I lived like a king while I was there, but I wasn't hogging my money like most of you expect. My basic salary was just 8500 riyals and everything else was paid for. Definitely not enough to save such an amount. However I was lucky enough to find a very rich family that needed a private tutor for their 3 boys. That's what gave me the extra boost each month. I just lived from that and saved nearly every single dime of my salary.

@chrisms86
PM me if you're interested in more info about my job in Saudi.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:05 am Post subject:

Dear Sansibar1

" . . . everything else was paid for."

Do you mean then that all your food, your utilities, your laundry, etc. were paid for in addition to your housing. And was your housing fully furnished?

Regards,
John

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

Check out STA, Language Solutions and SANG:They all hire people without MAs and you'd easily save 20,000 Dollars a year on what they pay. Won't be much fun with those outfits though.

Forget IH, EF and all the well known chains...they pay nuts and get monkeys.