Job Discussion Forums

[nyc2323]

Hi!

Some basic background on me - i'm a 29 year old woman from NYC, in the middle of a CELTA course. I'm interested in leaving in June or July to go teach somewhere. the key problem i have right now (not a bad problem!) is deciding where to go. I'm single and taking this big leap alone. I'd like to go somewhere for a year and then travel and then come back to the US.

My original interest was in going to China, Thailand, or Vietnam. But the more I read on these forums, the more I think that as a woman it might not be the best choice. I was wondering if other women could weigh in and tell me what good/bad experiences they've had as they relate to being female? I guess i should point out that I am white...seems like your appearance/race has a lot to do with how you are perceived when traveling/working as a teacher in foreign countries.

Here are some more specific questions:

-safety - are there any places that are especially unsafe to live alone as a woman?
-sexism - from people you meet socially as well as students, colleagues
-healthcare/health insurance
-dating - are all the male expats in asia going after asian women? seems that way from what i keep reading.

Aside from the original countries listed, i am also really interested in going to Chile or Argentina.

thanks for any help!

[tomstone]

Even though I'm not female, I can tell you I've seen absolutely no sexism against any female teachers either by the administrators or the male teachers, Chinese or Westerners.

The rest of your concerns are so all-encompassing that they can't be answered with specific comments; no, ALL Caucasian males are not after Chinese women ONLY.

Just like anywhere else in the world, there are always going to be unsafe places for anybody, i.e., dark alleys in the middle of the night, etc. Maybe too flippant, but you see what I mean.

Health insurance depends on the place you're working, some have comprehensive, some have accident only (that's what I have).

[yaramaz]

I'm female. I live in China, teaching in a uni. My boyfriend is American (but we met years ago in Turkey). Can't say I've had any real problems based on gender when it comes to the world of tefl and I've been doing this for 8 years now

PM me if you have any specific questions.

[MsDooLittle]

Sometimes it is an advantage being female. Many students prefer it... and if you take care of your appearance the good jobs are easier to get. In my experience, students + employers prefer a presentable bad teacher to a scruffy good teacher.

Safety issues? If you're careless and unlucky bad stuff can happen anywhere. Be careful and keep your eyes open

Men and dating? As above.

[khmerhit]

[Kalima Shahada]

I have no experience with Vietnam. However, I have plenty of experience with Thailand and China. There are big differences between the countries!

In Thailand, you can expect these things:
*The vast amount of expat male teachers are drunken backpackers who are interested in pubs and sleeping with as many Thai women as possible. Either that or they are gay or married or really OLD and very undesirable. Don't even think for one second about dating any males whatsoever in Thailand! It will only depress you!

*Safety has never been a problem for me in Thailand. But if you have a drinking problem as a western female, you will have a serious problem with your safety - many of them are raped when they are drunk and the law will do nothing to help you in such a case!

*Sexim is ripe in Thailand! You will experience it at every turn wherever you go. Most of the females here just learn that that is the way it is in Thailand and there is nothing you can do about it except leave.

*Healthcare is quite good in Thailand. Most schools offer BUPA and it's better than anything you will ever find in the USA!

In China, you can expect these things:
* A very wide variety of expat teachers with outgoing and helpful personalities. Of all the countries I have been, China generally has the nicest set of expat teachers who cooperate well. The males are not really the drunken, womanizers as you see so much of in Thailand. So, dating would be a real possiblity for you there!

* Don't expect your Chinese bosses to be anywhere as nice as your fellow co-workers and they can make you life a living hell with their shouting, lies and indifference toward you altogether. You can expect to experience more racism than sexism in China. BTW, the government is very anti-American and they charge us double for our visas.

* I would be VERY fearful of the healthcare in China! Don't get sick or hurt!

* Safety wasn't a big issue for me in China, but I don't trust the governement's appauling record for how they detain desenters. Don't speak your mind against the government or you could have a serious problem with your safety IN JAIL!