Job Discussion Forums

[TES]

Know anything about Brunei colleges? Or about how hard it is for Americans to find jobs in Brunei?

After reading the "Thumbs Up for Brunei" and other threads, I'm very excited about the possibility of living in Brunei (or a place like it). A huge thank you to Glenn and the rest of you for sharing your experiences in those threads...also, sorry in advance if I ask a question here that someone already addressed � I believe I found everything I could in searching the forums�

About me: I�m from and am currently living in the USA, have a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and, after spending the last few years in the rat race, just completed my CELTA and am looking at both college and K-12 jobs overseas. I have a few years of part-time US college teaching experience, but no K-12 experience or K-12 teaching cert. I love teaching � I plan to make it my career. I�m most interested in working with elementary age students and/or adults, but am open to most any opportunity. (I�m considering getting the YL extension if I get a job with kids, unless something else would be appropriate wherever I go.) My wife will be coming with me and working on her degree online, so finding a place with access to reliable Internet is must. I hope to find something that starts summer or fall 2010.

My Questions about Brunei:

1) Does anyone here have any experience (teaching or otherwise) or knowledge of any of the Brunei technical colleges or universities (in my research, I found two universities, one of which is a fairly new Islamic university � and it looks like 2-3 tech schools)? If so, can you share your experiences and any advice you have in applying for jobs at those schools?

2) From the various posts I�ve read, it sounds like getting a job in Brunei as an American can be difficult (CfBT isn�t currently taking Americans): any advice for finding a job in Brunei from the US? Do I have a decent shot applying directly to the various schools (elementary � college) given my credentials or lack thereof? I don�t have the funds to travel to Brunei or elsewhere to look, so have to find one from where I am.

3) If Brunei doesn�t work out � for any of you who have lived/worked elsewhere � any other ideas on specific places I should look given my interest in Brunei? (I posted a similar question in the General Discussion Forum that shows more of what I�m looking for.)

Thank you in advance for any advice you might have as I try to figure out our options!

[mandalayroad]

My understanding is that Americans will not be able to get jobs in Brunei K-12 schools. International schools may be a different story. Don't know about the few colleges and universities but imagine they'd be more open to Americans. I assume their faculties are almost all, if not all, expats just like a university in the oil-rich Gulf (Persian).

[TES]

Hi Mandalayroad,

Thanks for the response. That is my understanding from what I've read, too. It's good to get a confirmation of that.

I couldn't find much on international schools in Brunei - do you know of any specific ones there I could check out? I'm not sure if there are any or not...

Thanks again!

TES

[gajackson1]

sorry - marking & evals on just now, plus some other wrapping-up-the-year projects on the burners.

I have just put in a couple of 'asks' about the unofficial status re: USA-type apps for positions for jobs. We will see about that in the next couple of days.

As for lists of schools, I did post up a list elsewhere here in the threads. Try looking in this forum (do a search) for Chung Hwa, and it should pop up there.

If not, then just do a search for Brunei schools wiki

With a couple of the International schools, I never got further than their applications before I was stopped/politely declined (and that as a certified teacher, as well). One school did call me in, and went so far as to say they WOULD definitely be interested - IFF (not a mistake) I had 2-3 years of teaching A/O levels.

>.< Well, how am I supposed to get the experience without the job? LOL!

Anyway, I am getting it now!

Tomorrow, I drop off my BELTA membership, and I hope things slow down enough this next week to shoot over to the CfBT offices & see what additional certificates/classes/endorsements they offer.

Considering the relative shortage of qualified teachers, you would think MoE would look into changing the policy - but I had been waiting for over a year. Patience is a virtue (and one which I have in buckets), but sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands, or else revise the master plan.

Best of luck - if you want/need more help, give me a shout in a PM.

Regards,

Glen

[TES]

Hi Glen,

Thanks for sharing. I'll be curious to hear what you find out in your inquiries into the "unofficial" status of USA-type apps.

Congrats, by the way, on landing a position there. In reading your various posts, it sure sounds like you were quite patient in your search! As you say, I may have to revise my master plan depending on how things go searching from here.

Thanks again,

TES