Job Discussion Forums

[daniel_hayes]

Would appreciate some advice and know this is the place to find some. I will graduate from University in the UK next summer. I'm a mature student who will be 30 graduation.

I lived in Thailand for a couple of years, where I worked as a freelance editor for various websites and travel companies. I also briefly sampled Oz: certainly not my kind of place. Circumstances changed, therefore, I saw an opportunity to return to the UK, get a degree, give my life some direction. Uni has proved beneficial: I have enjoyed the whole experience. It has put some discipline back into my life.

However, England is not where I want to spend my life. I love Thailand, had some great times there. Everything interesting that's happened to me happened there. From serious accidents to falling in love ... all in Thailand. Thailand haunts my dreams, I smell it in the wind. Everything reminds me of Thailand.

Yet, I feel like Thailand might be too easy for me. It's a safe-choice, but is it the place I want to live and work? There is a fine balance between somewhere you feel comfortable, and somewhere that will stifle your creativity and discipline. But when I research places such as Korea, Vietnam, China, they just don't seem to grab my imagination. I want to find somewhere special.

Another difficulty concerns future study. I would like to get an MA. My university offers an excellent online MA that seems ideal. The cost of doing one in England scares me off. I am not willing to spend �10000 of my own money to get an MA in a year. Doing it online would take longer, possibly not be as effective, but it is still an MA from a good Uni in England.

I believe that teaching would suit me well. I will have a good degree (hopefully a First) in English Literature. I am disciplined, hard-working, responsible, sociable, and keen to learn. Because of the online MA, also due to writing commitments, I would like to work 20 or so hours a week.

So, after much rambling, I plead for some advice. I know there are people out there who've been in my situation. Should I take a chance, maybe go somewhere like Cambodia or Vietnam? Should I commit to Thailand? I could also delay my MA for one year, go traveling, see some more places, then decide what to do. Although that seems advisable, it would mean that delaying my MA and spending money that has to last my whole life.

[rigel]

I know you said Korea doesn't tickle your fancy, but you should consider it. The pay is good, certainly much better than Thailand, and the country is great for hiking and traveling, if you're into that. It's a beautiful, mountainous country. The people can be annoying, but that's the case anywhere. The weather sucks in the winter, but that nice paycheck makes up for the annoyances and shortcomings. Thailand's weather is good, but the pay is too low. You may need that extra jack later in your life. Go to Korea and work two years, save like mad, go get your MA, and then decide what you want to do. That's my advice.

[daniel_hayes]

Everything is still undecided rigel. Korea is an option. I need to have a good, long think about it this summer, do some reading, and make some decisions.

[rigel]

I wish you luck with whatever path you take, Mr. Daniel Hayes.

[daniel_hayes]

Thanks rigel. Seems I have much research to do, and lots of reading. I would not discount anywhere. Who knows, I might end up in Korea.

[Pauleddy]

A lot of folk start in Thailand. it's a "known unknown". Once you get here u can use it as a base.

Culturally, many people find it more acceptable. I heard that in Korea, and Vietnam, people tend to be more uncouth, pushy, rude, industrious, uncaring, whatever, whatever. China has loads of work, but good jobs with good digs in a nice area are said to be hard to get (and the folks there smoke and spit even in restaurants). Japan pays well but many can't cope with the huge culture gap and social stuff they find there. Laos is said to be beautiful but a poverty plus with time warp place.
Cambodia, again, is beautiful but can be dodgy for some.

Of course, Thailand has many downsides too. The reliance on farangs for 'security' is legendary. As a 'presentation culture', the insincerity here can be as deep as the true sincerity you encounter sometimes. Inefficiency in running schools and unis, bribery and exam cheating are also legendary.

Salaries are not good in teaching, and most people can't afford wine, pizza, shopping and dating attractive Thais --plus living in a nice place---for about 30,000baht salary (which may be what you get if newly qualified). Yes, I know that there are people who live on rice and beer in cheap rooms, but I couldn't.

On the other hand, I just returned from a long trip, and was delighted to be back.

There u go....

P

[daniel_hayes]

I love Thailand, have spent a couple of years there. But, I fear becoming too comfortable. I want to try a few more places, Thailand will always be there.

Cambodia and Vietnam see my best options. If they don't work out, Thailand is just a few hours away.

[rigel]

I've already pulled a two-year stint in Thailand, and I wish I had those two years back. I'd pull them in Korea instead. What a fool I was for teaching, er, babysitting people who wanted nothing to do with English. And in the end, my pathetic bank account made me look like the biggest loser around. Don't get me wrong. Thailand is a great place...to visit, to do the tourist thing, to use as a job-hunting base. It just isn't the place to work.

Your students will gain very little knowledge, if any at all.
You will save peanuts compared to what you'll save in a place like Korea.
You will thus have nothing to show for your noble efforts.

If you do the TESOL babysitting thing far from home, at least get PAID. Your students will act up and not work that hard, if they work at all, in Korea. But when you finish up your contract, you'll be sleeping on a pile of cash. I can dig that.