Job Discussion Forums

[Sudz]

Hi guys.

I'm planning on making a move to Kuala Lumpur next year to study for the MA TESOL at Nottingham. It looks as though the program will suck up most of my funds, and so far my only offer for part-time work has come from ELS (granted I've only tried a couple of other schools).

They mentioned that the salary would work out to be around 2000RM a month (part-time). Assuming I rent a room, and eat local food (which I enjoy), might this be doable?

I hope to find something better than ELS btw, though this might be what I'm stuck with. I lack an undergraduate degree, but Nottingham offers a part-time work visa.

Thanks.

[KayuJati]

[Sudz]

Thanks a lot for that. Makes sense, and it is nice to hear that it can be done. I'd definitely have to cut down on (or basically cut out) the booze (I know how expensive it is there).

With the scooter: I'd be very willing to purchase one, and would be fine with driving in KL. My only worry is that my Canadian license has expired, leaving me without any kind of a license. This hasn't been a problem for me in Ho Chi Minh, though would it be a problem there?

Perhaps I could get a Malaysian license if need be.

(Btw I do have a Yamaha scooter here in Ho Chi Minh. I wonder if I could get it there).

[KayuJati]

[Sudz]

Yeah it's a bummer. Think it would be easy for a foreigner to get a motorbike license in KL?

[KayuJati]

[Sudz]

Think I misplaced it some time ago

I'm sure the test wouldn't be too taxing, especially for a scooter. The MA TESOL program is mostly self-study, and as a result I'll have very few in-class lectures. Lots of time to do other things (inexpensive things hopefully!)

Thanks again!

[Sudz]

Any idea how a Vietnamese license might fare?

[KayuJati]

[Sudz]

Thanks again!

[Sudz]

I'm wondering (since there aren't many in-class lectures), if anyone would recommend any other cities in Malaysia? Perhaps 2000RM (assuming I'd make that elsewhere) would be better used somewhere else.

I like Penang, though I think boredom might be a factor after a while.

[the lowlander]

I'm sorry to disagree withe Kayujati, but I think you are off your head if you try to live in KL on 2,000 RM per month!

That sort of money is absolutely nothing.

KL in particular, and Malaysia in general, are both expensive in SE Asian terms, at least twice as expensive as BKK and Thailand.

If you go to KL with that sort of budget, you will run out of funds very rapidly.

As for the Nottingham course, it is vastly overpriced, and you would be better rethinking your studying/teaching plans.

Do me a favour and don't do it. I can see nothing but misery and financial woes on that type of cash.

[KayuJati]

I do believe that sudz is talking about working part-time while pursuing a graduate degree. Launching into a graduate program, I am sure that he has weighed the financial consequences and is simply asking for advice regarding KL.

Using that fact as context, I still suggest that RM2,000 per month is good pay for part-time work. Most international students are working as waiters and waitresses for just a few hundred ringgit a month.

the lowlander, you do know that the average annual wage in Malaysia is only ~US$7000, right? At that rate, a monthly salary works out to RM1,810 per month. Making OVER the average annual salary for part-time work isn't too bad when put into context. [The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants used the value of RM21,000 per year in this report (http://www.cimaglobal.com/Documents/ImportedDocuments/SalaryGuide08_Malaysiamembers_100408.pdf), which is from the Malaysian government Department of Statistics for 2007. That works out at RM1,750 per month.]

Initially, sudz indicated that the pay was RM3,000, but has since re-stated it as RM2,000. I hope that he isn't trying to raise a family on that wage for the next 20 years.
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If bitterness wants to get into the act, I offer it a cookie or a gumdrop.
James Broughton

[KayuJati]

[KayuJati]