Job Discussion Forums

[AdrianG4]

Hello, I would like to Volunteer in Vietnam (HCMC) teaching English by the end of the year for about 10 weeks. I have a TESOL (No BA, but a considerable amount of post highschool education -- [do not worry, I am not looking to live there]) and was wondering what people on this board may know about this program:

http://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/vietnam/volunteer_teaching_english_vietnam.htm

I plan to live in Mexico (where I received my TESOL,) but before I go and look for my first ESL job, I would like to do something fullfilling and advantageous towards my resume�. In this case, English teaching volunteering. I have always wanted to visit Vietnam .. it looks incredible and the food, THE FOOD ! So this looks like a good opportunity to get some more teaching experience, get to know the culture and do fun things on the weekend around Vietnam.

Is this a good idea ? And what do you know about the program ?

Thank you !!!

[mark_in_saigon]

I am not an expert on this, but here is my 2 cents worth.

1 - if you are here, and willing to volunteer your time, you will have no problem finding takers.

2 - having said that, you can also give your time to the age range and skill level you prefer, that is, not have to teach children (unless you want to).

3 - depending on where and how you live, you can get by for about $12 a day on your own, pretty quickly, as soon as you scout around a bit on lodging. Add a dollar or two for special treats if you are a glutton like I am.

4 - insurance means very little to me here, it may be of value, but to me, the question is if you get killed or not. If you get killed, what value is insurance? I think the odds on getting killed here have to be higher than in the west, no matter whose insurance program you use. In other words, I think you are just basically taking your chances here, and you sure better enjoy the life.

5 - if you do create your own program, which is not hard as a volunteer, you can teach it the way you want to, without having to follow someone's process. Maybe they have a good process. Maybe not. You can also create your own awards and certificates for the students, and make your own documentation seem a lot more meaningful and professional than the mickey mouse stuff the volunteer program will give you. Or maybe their stuff looks 1st class. If not, too bad.

If I am gonna give away my time, I will do it in the kind of environment I choose. I am not gonna pay someone to make me follow some program or process. If I knew the program/process was first rate, then I might reconsider.

[CThomas]

Uh... I just took a look at that website and have several scattered comments...

Yea paying $350/wk to volunteer = no good. To echo Mark, you can live here comfortably for that and volunteer at one of many, many places here. Honestly, for as good as their intentions may be, that "seems" like a scam from any angle I can conceive of. If it's not a scam, it's just a really, really, really, really bad deal.

I tell you what: you can pay me only $300/wk and you can teach all want! (just kidding). But really, if you want to, you could...

In general, paying to volunteer here in the big city is like paying someone to spend money on them. It's no good. I could understand if the program were in Tibet and funded by volunteer money, but not here. Seriously, if you have that kind of money to spend, then you could just come here on a 3-month visa and teach. If you're not interested in a WP and you need some experience, then just show up and talk to schools. You will probably get (low) offers -- maybe $9/hr. But maybe more; I don't know. If it's just resume experience you're looking for, this would be doable.

A former member of this forum works at a very, very good reputable non-profit here and I could give you his contact info. I've visited their place and they really seem to be well organized and genuine. Just please do not pay to volunteer in HCMC. PM if interested... or just reply here and I can get info and post it. In any case, we (on the forum and our contacts) can help you do a lot better than this program.