Job Discussion Forums

[1st Sgt Welsh]

I think it depends a fair bit on what your obligations and expectations are. If you have got a family to feed than it's understandable to perserve with a work situation you thoroughly dislike simply because it pays the bills. It can also depend on what you are trying to achieve by staying at a place. I knew a guy who wanted to put his head down for two years to finish his MA. He figured all he would have time to do was work and study anyway so he went to Saudi. He hated his time there (didn't like the country at all), but, on the plus side, he was able to finish his education and save a lot of money . In short, he set himself a goal (which he achieved) and, in that sense, his time in Saudi was well-spent.

But if you are single and footloose, I am a great believer in that you should move on before you get bitter. That can take one year or thirty depending on the place and the person. It's just my two cents but, when you start to feel yourself getting fed up, it's probably time to consider making changes.

[Trebek]

No kidding 4 years is a good rule of thumb. The only reason to stay longer is because you intend to buy a house and marry a local. The reason to make it for 4 years (maybe three), is to learn about the area, culture, ect and you plan to leave a positive mark in their community.

Of course this is never a perfect world....

[cormac]

Might be a silly question by why all these dramatic changes in location? Why not just more to another school/university in your city or province?

[lucia79]

If you feel it's time to go then it probably it is. If you're happy where you are and things are going well then I would stay.

[Sudz]

To each their own.

I've been at the same gig for 7 years now, and would have left some time ago if it weren't for:

a) the savings potential

b) the traveling opportunities

c) the ability to save while studying (somewhat related to 'a' ), which I'm currently doing, though wish I'd gotten on a while back.

d) the freedom (also somewhat related to 'a')

Where I live (Ho Chi Minh City), there are plenty of teachers who - I think - realize that they wont be able to do better in other countries (me included) due to their qualifications (non-related degree, or even no degree). As such many seem almost stuck here (some happy, others not). While I'm still fairly content here, I see myself adopting traits of that 'bitter teacher' (which I try and hide as best I can), which make me think that it's time to move on once I'm in better standing to do so.

I've had some people ask whether I'm a lifer, to which I promptly reply 'no'. If that works for some people, that's great, but I don't see myself settling down here.

I think certain countries definitely have a higher 'settle down factor', and judging by the forums, I think Japan seems to be one of them (definitely a more chilled place than Vietnam). However, due to the economy back home, I think people are settling down all over the globe now, and I have noticed that there are many more long-term teachers here in Ho Chi Minh now.