Job Discussion Forums

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

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, whilst certainly my home, 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.

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.

Taiwan interests me. But the hectic, frantic big city is not where I see myself. I am in a position whereby I can support myself comfortably for a few years - I have a nice stash in the bank. So I do not need to work like a horse, save money, pay debts and leave. 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.

Anthony Krese · Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 3

If you decide to start your Master's online then I'd go with Thailand. Sounds like you'd be fairly comfortable living there, so you wouldn't have the added stress of a totally unfamiliar environment.
If you decide to take a year off then I'd try Vietnam or Cambodia. You'd be able to cover you daily living expenses and maybe even a few trips to other countries in the area. Hey, you might even decide you want to continue teaching and do an MA in TESOL (I'm guessing your thinking about doing an MA in Lit?).
Anyway, just one guys opinion.

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

My MA will (probably) be in Creative Writing, although Social History and Literary Theory both interest me.

However, your advice about the possibility of an MA in TESOL does make me think. As you stated, if I take a year out after graduation, I could get my CELTA and try teaching in one or two places. Who knows, I could decide to pursue it as a long-term career and re-think my MA plans.

Could I get jobs in Cambodia or Vietnam for a short time. I am worried that my CV would look dodgy, with lots of jobs on it. Should I be?

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Maybe you're already aware of this, since you've done a bit of research, but 20 hours per week is standard for actual teaching hours--in many places, you've got to add prep time, marking, meetings, and travel time, so you end up with what is essentially a 40-hour work week.

d

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Most countries have their distractions, though I guess some more than others. Since you want to study I'd have thought chief criterions are finding a job that's not too demanding in terms of time/energy and a place which (as you say) isn't too hectic. Korea certainly offers such jobs and places. And perhaps Japan. Hong Kong doesn't! In Europe generally the pay is very poor relative to living costs. I think Asia is your most likely source.

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Korea has beautiful countryside and can be very peaceful once you escape the big cities, but it is a real 'culture shock' kind of place and you might find you lose valuable time adapting to it. As you don't need to earn much you might find other places suit your needs better - like Europe! In your shoes that's where I'd go, but difficult to say which country. Most of the EC countries have become relatively expensive - so maybe one of the recently liberated ex-Yugoslavian/Russian countries, such as Macedonia or Latvia, where living costs are very low.

MsDooLittle · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 63 Location: somewhere else

Slovakia is a nice, easy going, often forgotten country. Beautiful countryside and close to the Alps if you like mountains. Great location for exploring Central & Eastern Europe. Nice people. Personally Thailand sounds great... you are already familiar with the life and you can focus on your studies. It all depends on where you want to be...

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

Europe is not where I see myself. Just doesn't fit. Asia has always fascinated me. I like the alien feel that is has. A completely different culture and society.

Thailand does seem a good bet. But is it too safe?

A question for those older than me, possibly in their later 30s-60s: I will be 30 when I graduate, and 32 when I get my MA - if I do it online.

Do I need to be scared and annnoyed with myself for taking the easy option of Thailand? At this time in my life, fresh out of Uni, I feel the best thing for me is to go somwehere comfortable, interesting, fun, get my MA, get some teaching experience, learn to be disciplined and responsible in the big world. In my past travel experiences, I wasted lots of time. I was bored, bored and depressed, in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Now, I know the value of keeping busy and being disciplined.

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

"Somewhere special" is different for everyone.
Do you have any other goals to help you make your decision, like learn a language or a skill. I know people in Japan who moved to specific cities just to study art or learn aikido. The job was just a means of staying there. Having a reason to live in a foreign country (aside from the money) is rather important. I've considered Taiwan, mostly to study Chinese, and Argentina partly to learn the tango. Maybe you are considering Thailand, hopeful to fall in love again, I don't know. I do find however, that the first experience in a foreign country is often the best.

MsDooLittle · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 63 Location: somewhere else

aaaaahhhhh you are not so old. Plenty of time left for adventure! I can identify.... after a lifetime of pedestrian travelling I wanted something more 'cutting edge', and found it here in Slovakia. As well as a comfortable lifestyle. But I too dream of returning to Asia. However... as a late thirtysomething woman I am, I confess, afraid of doing it on my own. There are a lot of predators out there! So... go for it. As an educated guy you can go anywhere. DO IT! How about Cambodia?

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

'not so old'? Young, I'd say! [I'm feeling a bit sensitive about this as yesterday was my birthday, although I did surprise a few team-mates changing after football training yesterday when they learnt I was more than 3 times the age of the youngest players!]

I'd say allow yourself some lee-way, but since you talk about discipline and responsibility, is that what you associate with Thailand after your previous experiences? Smile

You're right about having an aim, though. Here in the Italian mountains I've improved my Italian, my skiing and my football skills, but now I need something else as my physical body is declining!

Make wherever you go special for yourself. I don't fancy the place for work myself, but Chinese working hours can be quite low. Either way, the thought you're putting into it will help you be successful wherever.

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

I know what Buddhists mean: the world is an illusion.

The world is how I see it. Thailand has been a negative place for me - when i was negative and bored. It has also been amazing when I was generally positive, talked to people, kept busy.

The same is true of my home city in England. It used to be hell on earth. But now I keep busy, work hard, live better, I like it.

So the Thailand I am scared of is in my head. As is the Thailand I love.

I know the importance of learning and doing things. In Thailand I could get fluent in Thai, explore Buddhism in greater detail, there are societies and clubs to join ie. playing football, guitar stuff, maybe even book clubs. I would be studying for my MA too. Hopefully, all that would prevent me getting bored and self-destructive.