Job Discussion Forums

mickeyrex · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 65

^ Thanks--- OP look into it. I lived in Korea for quite some time and you'd be taken aback at how bad a seemingly innocent visit to Korea can be. Make yourself known when you arrive on both boards and I think you'll get some help or at least a Shocked

shoulder to cry on.

Danaa · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 40

MOD EDIT

From my experience with some, but not all of the long term people here, they are on a slow and steady decline.

They don't have 1 foot in the grave, but they are in quicksand.

Going down.

Down.

Down.

Over time.

I have seen some of these people get older, and age. They wake up in older age when it's too late to go back home and do something constructive.

They will rot in Saigon until they get too old to jump around a language school for a pittance, or they get kicked out when the work permit regulations are enforced.

But people who get themselves into this situation were the same back home, and they are in this situation in Saigon and South East Asia by their own choosing.

MOD EDIT

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

It's simply quite a boring, annoying, ugly, depressing place.

Naturally, many turn to alcohol etc. to alleviate their suffering and stress.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 216

Yeah! We always want and need more. And never ever enough.

London Bridge · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 34

ChuckECheese · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 216

eddiek1syou · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 23 Location: Out there

London Bridge · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 34

blateson · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144

Eddiek1syou said to sigmoid: "I know you're going to think I'm trying to be rude, but I'm not. If you feel that way about Vietnam, I don't understand why you don't leave. For one, you live in a third world country and are living much better than a large portion of the population out there. "

Now is probably a good time to say this, it's better that you cease using the 'post reply' feature and get yourself over here. After 3 months+ you may
start to balance things out more.

Sigmoid has made a lot of valid points and I really agree.

London Bridge · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 34

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Thanks for your posting Eddie.

eddiek1syou · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 23 Location: Out there

sigmoid, after reading what I posted I realized that even though I stated that I was trying not to be rude, I still was. I actually haven't been to Saigon.... Ever... To be completely honest, I am just irritated that I am not hearing as much positive feedback about Vietnam than I expected. I've already booked my flight and spent countless hours/dollars in prep for my trip there, so I guess I am kinda in denial. I don't want to accept the fact that things are going to be real difficult out there. I'm convincing myself that it is not as bad as some people are making it out to be. At the same time I'm not expecting this to be easy.

My situation is a bit different than a lot of posters on here- I'm not teaching English as a career. Rather, I am doing it for the experience. My major in college was IT Rolling Eyes

, not teaching. I'll be there teaching English and building homes. I guess you could call me a tree hugger Laughing

. Ultimately, I wanted to start a group teaching English for free to the people that can't afford it- Kind of like the financial aid programs that we have here in the states (which I think is super positive because I wouldn't have been able to go to college if it weren't for programs like that). I understand that a lot of ppl here are doing it to make a living and such. Some people on here have called me a backpacker, which I think is immature and outrageous. I thought a backpacker was a person that likes to go hiking- That is not me!

Blateson- You said I should just go there and that things might just balance out. I did decide on just pulling the trigger and booking the flight. I've prepared myself for the worst and know that my goal there is not to live a great life, but to gain a life experience. Hopefully I can handle it. Fortunately my parents were real supportive. They told me not to hesitate in calling and asking for help or money for a flight back in the event that I cannot handle it.

To be honest I'm really stressed out about going there- Almost to the point of depression!!! Sad

shrimp_whiskers · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 12

eddie,

don't stress yourself out so much. you just have to take it day by day. everyone has a different experience everywhere and yours may be awesome. maybe you'll spend a few months here and hate it or spend a few years here and love it. all you can do is try!

i just got to HCMC a few days ago. i have a return ticket booked for two months from now. if i hate it, i'll most likely go back to korea (where i spent the last year and a half) or head back to the states. if things are good, i'll let the ticket go and stay. although, i'll most likely move on to Hanoi.

anyway, if vietnam doesn't work out (and i recommend NOT preparing for the worst, but having a POSITIVE attitude, instead). you might think about teaching in korea. you could teach in a rural area and help the local folks out on the side. you don't have to be in snobby-ass seoul.

someone said that it's too bad you don't speak korean or you could make a lot of money there. i find this to be the opposite. all the kyopos i worked with were told to tell the students and parents that they could not speak any korean. most of the time the schools never want you to speak korean and even privates (which pay a lot) only want you to speak english.

regardless, just be happy that you are doing something you really want to do. you should be excited and take all the negative comments with a grain of salt. you're trying to realize a dream of yours. most people don't even try. whoo-hoo for you!
Very Happy

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

lost_gypsy · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 274

Hate to say it, but (my experience is from China by the way) if you aren't white, and look Asian, then I think you will be treated differently, as in treating you just like another Vietnamese. They won't want to pay you the same money as white teachers. This happened to two American born Chinese I knew of. They both (one a girl, the other a guy) left after only three months.

I did read that there is a number of American born Viet. who have moved to 'Nam and are setting up high tech business ventures. Are they successful? Not sure, but just be prepared to not get the same respect as your fellow caucasian teachers there.

On that note, I wanted to add that I have been living in Hawaii for over a year now, and there is a lot of discrimination towards whites here by the local Hawaiians. So it goes back and forth all over.

Give it a shot, and if you feel too pressured by the treatment in 'Nam, then go to one of the EU countries! They will love you I am sure.

All the best!
Michael