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thetuanster
Joined: 22 Sep 2014
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Vietnamese American Newbie moving to Saigon |
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| Prof.Gringo wrote: |
| thetuanster wrote: |
...the only financial obligation I have is student loans (around $500 a month).
My philosophy is life is short you gotta enjoy what you do!
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Just to be clear, money is not really an issue for me right now as I have enough to hold out for at least 3 years over there.
I'm at the stage where I want to really enjoy what I do instead of sticking it out everyday being unsatisfied with a typical day job in America
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So, you have money saved, but you continue to pay monthly debt of $500 USD instead of paying the principle loan itself off now, so I fail to see the reasoning there.
BTW, I know another former cop here who works his butt off teaching all over the place at multiple language centers, govt. schools etc. plus private classes on the side. And he has a whiteface as well, so life sure isn't easy for him here.
Now, if your real goal is to party, meet girls & use "teaching" as a vehicle to do so, by all means come on over. Plenty of other guys doing the same exact thing. Of course, don't be surprised when you wake up one day, broke, without any recent skills in IT or even able to get a cop job back home (pretty sure the departments frown upon guys living overseas for years without being able to verify every single movement you made, with the standards for police recruitment nowadays...) Something often called a reality check sets in. But often, once you have been in the "TEFL lifestyle" for a number of years, it's kinda hard to get back out.
And don't let any of the posters on here discourage you in anyway. Just because 10 different people all gave you pretty much the same answer, but it wasn't what you wanted, feel free to do as most people do who have already decided to do something & just want some moral support to go along with it and if they don't get it, go ahead with their plan anyways. Just don't say: "Nobody ever told me so!" |
You're right! I don't make decisions base on other's opinions. As for my debt situation, it's quite complicated I'd rather not go into details about it on here but let's just say that I have it under control. I can spend all day over analyzing the situation but you can't really build a house unless you take your time out to lay the first brick! I know there will be barrier due to my ethnicity but I believe people have to work hard for what they really want. We wouldn't have electricity if Thomas Edison didn't try hard enough would we? Cheers!  |
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thetuanster
Joined: 22 Sep 2014
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Prof.Gringo wrote: |
| thetuanster wrote: |
| Prof.Gringo wrote: |
| thetuanster wrote: |
Btw, does any of you have a list of decent schools/language centers that you don't mind sharing? |
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schools that are worth it to take a look at  I know of the big schools like ILA, VUS, ACET, AMA etc. Aside from these big names, does anyone know of any other reputable establishments? I hope that clears things up for you Prof. Gringo |
Spend a few hours reading posts on here  , and you will get a much better idea 
Or better yet, just come on over and see for yourself 
BTW, AMA is very reputable |
it looks like I have to find out the hard way by myself, doesn't it! On a serious note, which schools do you think are worthwhile? They can't all be bad! |
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mark_in_saigon
Joined: 20 Sep 2009
Posts: 837
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Also, it does help that I come from a well priviledged family Very Happy. Eventhough I'm a newbie here but I've experienced quite a lot as a former police officer in DC. I'm at the stage where I want to really enjoy what I do instead of sticking it out everyday being unsatisfied with a typical day job in America Very Happy |
I would respectfully question the logic. Who finds that a typical job in the U.S. is less satisfying than the job you are likely to get here? It's not the work, it's the rest of the life that is the reward here. If you do not understand that, you really do not understand this place. It can take years to work your way into something decent, and if you have various hickeys, you may never.
Copy and paste your postings into WORD. Let Microsoft point out your errors. Not to be rude, but teaching English requires a solid foundation of English, unless you are just doing kiddies, in which case you are competing with the nominal speakers of English, which may indeed describe your skills (he said with respect, but honesty).
Finally, you should know better than we what the VN think of "priviledged" (sic) VK. Mostly, they act like jerks over here, and the natives know it, and mostly don't like them. Even if that is not you, it is your stated profile, so there is just one more additional prejudice to overcome. Some of the VK get past this by pretending that they were born and raised here.
My advice - be prepared to live off your wealthy relatives, have fun, and don't expect teaching to be important in your life. Possible, but not likely. In days past, maybe, they were really in great need. Now, we are totally loaded with people who speak passable English and are more along the lines of what employers are seeking in other ways. We are also loaded with Filipinos who are very competitive with you in terms of appearance and skill, and willing to work for a lot less. It is not pretty at the low end. The high end is quite small now, and to reach it, you would be better off cultivating your language skills in the U.S. among native speakers than over here.
I would just conclude by saying, welcome to VN, nice to meet you, we are happy to have you as a friend, but we try not to mislead our friends. I think most of us have advised you in that spirit. |
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skarper
Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 477
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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Yep. M-I-S is long termer here and pretty much always gives good advice.
I repeat - come for a longish holiday - 6 month career break - and do a little teaching on the side - voluntary work - teach the kids of family and friends - get your feet thoroughly wet. And then see if you want to make it a full time lifestyle.
It is possible to find a livable work gig if you pay your dues, network, work hard and have a large dose of luck - but it takes a while.
Even then - we are not talking major job satisfaction - just a livable way to get by.
You should still come if it's what you really want to do. It's your life. But please have realistic expectations. |
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thetuanster
Joined: 22 Sep 2014
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the advice guys! Wish me luck! |
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jas5sk
Joined: 07 Aug 2010
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 2:52 am Post subject: |
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It seems like you're ahead of the curve already. It sounds like a great idea for someone with enough savings not to be forced into hustling for a job. I think most people who go to Vietnam to teach show up with like $1000-$2000 in savings and then try to get settled into something quickly. If you have enough to live off for 3 years, then just enjoy your time.
You'll figure out what you want to do in Vietnam sooner or later. Yeah, you could stay and save for retirement, but it sounds like you've been working hard and just want a break from the rat race.
Some posters have already mentioned how -thanks to a large chunk of the China 'professionals'- ESL experience can be like a Scarlett letter on your resume, so maybe you should do some kind of work on the side ( Maybe play one of the markets?) to keep up the appearance that you weren't just messing around for a year or two. (Not throwing shade at any ESL teachers that take what they do seriously/AP certified)
Just from experience, It doesn't seem that easy to spend $200 in a night in Vietnam. I'm sure there are places you could find that could help you spend that and much, much more, but on average I think even spending $100 can be kind of odd. I'm not sure which city you're from, but, usually, going out back home will cost you at least $100 and that's not anywhere near the average in Vietnam.
$1000-a-month budget should be ok for someone who's unemployed. |
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