Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear Roger,
Hesse it is - "Steppenwolf", to be specific.

"A middle-aged recluse who lives alone in a bourgeois lodging house. Harry Haller refers to himself as a �Steppenwolf� because he feels like a lonely wolf of the steppes, removed from the obsessions and conventions common to most people. Harry believes himself to be divided between two extremes: a man-half who shares the ideals and interests of humanity, and a beast-half that sees those aspirations as futile, absurd vanities."

Regards,
John

P.S. It's probably not coincidental that the author's and the Steppenwolf's names both have "H. H." initials.

[Harry Haller]

Thanks Roger. Yes, because of the health care issue I am keeping one eye closed when I look at teaching in China. Not that I have significant health problems at the moment, but I hope to stay once I get there, and who knows what may develop? When you say that the major towns are probably all right, do you mean only the three or four largest, or just those that are not small? Hangzhou and Suzhou large enough? Teaching near Hong Kong, if possible, does sound like an idea to seriously consider. Could you give me a more complete name for HBSC? Perhaps I should know what that represents, but I don't. The suggestion that I might find a good doctor through a five star hotel or consulate is a good one--the problem becomes how to pay them if expensive care is necessary. I have checked BUPA a little, but it seems as though one must have access to particular facilities and doctors.

Herman Hesse? Sounds like someone you would meet in a Magic Theater, where entrance was not for everybody.

[Roger]

Dear Johnslat,
you are well-read, indeed! I read Steppenwolf a long time ago. Yesterday, someone offered me a second-hand Hermann Hesse - Siddharta - and I will take him up on that later!
That split personality - Hermann the male, Hermine the female, residing in one human body!

Harry,
you know that the HSBC is a bank, do you? I have it on authority that they offer an insurance policy for HK$ 95 a month (that's about US$ 12), but I haven't joined them as yet. Visit their website www.hsbc.com.
As for Hangzhou and Suzhou, they are sufficiently near SHANGHAI, so you need not worry; however, a trip still takes up to three hours between these towns and Shanghai. In my view, they no doubt do have adequate facilities, but I can't tell you for sure. Rhonda is in that area.

[Harry Haller]

Again, thanks Roger. Particularly pleased to hear that you believe there would be adequate facilities in those cities. And I'll check out that website.

I would highly recommend Siddhartha. It may not be my favorite book, but it might be. For about ten years I read it every year. Hmmm. Perhaps it is time for it again.

[johnslat]

Dear HH and Roger,

And let's not forget Hesse's "crowning glory":

"The Glass Bead Game": (Magister Ludi)


http://www.glassbeadgame.com/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312278497/inktomi-bkasin-20/ref%3Dnosim/104-7611855-0322352

Regards,
John

[SueH]

This thread took me back a bit, and I've just been to check my shelves. Sure I had all those mentioned plus Narziss & Goldmund, but they seem to have gone the way of all books - lent, lost or who knows. I did find a copy of his Autobiographical Writings (translated by Denver Lindley) which looks like it's worth a visit from my now more mature (just) self. Judging by the photograph bookmarks I must have bought it around 1979!

[Harry Haller]

John, Roger and Sue-

Narcissus and Goldmund--a fine book. And Demian. "Only those ideas that we actually live are of any value." Honestly, it is difficult to go wrong with Hesse, if you have a certain temperment. If you don't have that temperment, he is probably excruciating. I have waited for The Glass Bead Game to tap me on the shoulder when it became time for me to read it, but that tap has not yet come. Perhaps some week while the monsoon rages...

[Harry Haller]

Needless to say, make that "temperament" please.

[desultude]

Back to the issue of age:

Several posters have said that the Middle East is a good place for us older teachers, but when I see Middle East jobs, they often post an age limit of 55 or younger. I have applied for a couple of Middle East jobs, and have received replies regarding my age (55). What Middle East countries will hire older teachers?

I am in Korea, and am teaching at a university where I was hired a year ago. I do have an M.A. and PhC (doctoral candidacy), but there were others hired at the same time who didn't have graduate degrees. Korea is badmouthed a lot here on Daves, but I have been doing well here. I saved in the five figures last year, and traveled extensively (Australia, U.S., Thailand, and The Philippines, as well as travel in Korea.)

If I were in China, I would consider getting my serious health care in Thailand at one of the excellent international hospitals, the same goes for dental work. I will be going to Bangkok for a complete physical with all the bells and whistles (lab tests, body scan, etc.) for under $300 U.S.. I have a friend who has health insurance in the U.S., and his deductables come to more than that! He will be getting his workup in Thailand this summer, also.

[Harry Haller]

That is confirmation of what I have most often read about the Middle East, but, as is usually the case, opinions seem to differ.

Has anyone you know obtained a university position in Korea with a BA (in English) and no experience teaching EFL? I am thinking that I might try China for a while then perhaps attempt to obtain a position in Korea.

Are you headed to Thailand because medical care is poor in Korea? Or is it simply far less expensive in Thailand? And wouldn't the cost of the flight make the care rather expensive nonetheless? Are you going to Bumrungrad? I have read about their "packages" and was certainly impressed with the cost. And do you feel that there are few or no decent hospitals in China?

[desultude]

Harry Haller

[Harry Haller]

Desultude-

Thanks for your response and your expansion of what you wrote in your previous post. The notion of those longer vacations combined with enough income to do some serious traveling does appeal to me, but it sounds as though it would be highly unlikely that I would find a position at which my qualifications would be considered sufficient. Like you, I do not feel that pursuing a MA TESOL is worth it to me now.

All that is fine. I just thought I would ask. I believe I'll be content wherever I end up. Not that I feel immune to the horrors that are sometimes recounted in these forums, but I have a hunch that expectations sometimes play a role in transforming difficulties into horrors. Certainly not always, and possibly not even often. But sometimes.

Sounds like good advice on health care, too. Thanks again.

[desultude]

There are good institute jobs in Korea, if you are careful. I have not been interested China because the pay is so much lower. I suppose if you can get a University job in China, thats great. If not, there are other places to consider- such as Korea and Vietnam. Vietnam is tempting for me.

[Harry Haller]

From what I have read, it seems to me as though vacations at universities in China are shorter than in Korea and also unpaid. With pay being as low as it is, the advantage of working at a university rather than a language school might be negated, as travel might wreak havoc on one's budget. But I have not read that much on this, so I may be wrong.

But your comment about Vietnam brings me back to the original question in this topic, as I too have thought of Vietnam, as I greatly enjoyed a short period spent in the North last year. Does anyone know if Vietnamese schools and institutes are more inclined than China to reject an applicant based on age? And does anyone have any experience teaching in Haiphong?

[desultude]

I would post that question on the Vietnam board. Someone may reply within a week or so. I have been told that Vietnam is not a problem for us older teachers. It is worth checking out. It pays a lot better than China, for sure.