Job Discussion Forums

Mr Wind-up Bird · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 196

I assume you're talking about Apollo Hanoi. Apollo HCMC is one of the best-run businesses in HCMC. Good management, happy students, and fussy about who they employ. Only reason I left was because they aren't the best payers ($16 per hour when I was there, though this was 2 years ago).

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I'm talking about the Apollo in Honoi, anyone know about that one? Apollo seems to be better than ILA and VUS, right?

Tanker · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 72

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I wish it were that easy to just come, but I'm married and have to worry about my husband, who doesn't speak English. I need to make sure that I work for a good school that'll get him a visa as well and help him find private students to teach Spanish to.
After all, I'll be taking him away from Peru which is the only country he's known. I don't want to just up and leave and then find out after a month in X country that' it's ruining our relationship.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 216

lexpat · Joined: 23 May 2004 Posts: 56 Location: Meh

Oh I dunno Chuck. There are lots of diplomats in Hanoi, and lots of universities too. I would be surprised if there weren't a few Spanish classes to be taught in town, though not knowing English would indeed be a logistical problem.

Don't worry about being stuck at Apollo. If it doesn't work out there are many schools and females are always in demand. As for visas, well it's mostly a matter of $$$ and considering you would probably be making more than double what you made in Peru while spending marginally less...well I don't think you should worry.

I, on the other hand, very much want to go to South America but have just about decided the pay is so low there that it is better to work here and only visit. Seems there are a number of Vietnam teaching vets who have disappeared from the scene for a year or two only to come back with tales of five dollar an hour gigs and split shifts in LA. The grass may be greener on the other side of the ocean but the money isn't...

Of course you will have to put up with a lot in Hanoi, though if you already have a partner you will probably not come to grief in the same way that many do. Most of the women I knew in Hanoi loved the place, or at least they did until their local boyfriend asked them to buy them a motorbike.....

ChuckECheese · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 216

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

My second interview went well. It sounds like a great place to work. Yes, it'll be scary to go somewhere where neither of us speak the language and it'll be challenging, but I think we're both up for a change.

boogiet · Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 22

Hi, I'm wondering how it went with Apollo!!!
Did NatureGirl make it in Hanoi?!
Did Peruano husband find work as a teacher or translator?!
I'm dying, fill me in!
A sympathetic reader,
Boogie T

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Nope, actually, leaving for Korea on the 1 Nov. But only for four months. We were planning on a year, but my husband got a job offer he couldn't pass up. So I' quit all my jobs and am leaving for a bit. Will be back in Lima in march.

boogiet · Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 22

If you're in Seoul and your husband needs people to speak spanish with, I'm always looking to practice and I have a Korean buddy who lived in Mex for years. I'm sure he'd be happy (and probably available) to show dude around.
PM if I can help!
BT