Job Discussion Forums

[Hsinchuguy]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with teaching in Myanmar. I''d like to know the details; pay, housing and so on.

[Skyblue2]

Housing is expensive for expats now. Sadly. It used to be OK. That's going to be most of your paycheck gone. Inflation has made it a much less attractive place to work (like Vietnam and even lowly Cambodia).

[globalcitizen]

Hi, I was teaching there for 10 weeks in 2008. The school is called Horizon, I did their summer camp from March to May. I was in Mandalay, they have a school in Yangon as well.
We lived in a great hotel (paid by Horizon) , got free rides to and from school, free lunch and 600 dollars for a month paid in US dollars. If you want to know more, feel free to ask.

[Skyblue2]

[Hsinchuguy]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like it's not worth it. In terms of savings potential, which is better, Vietnam or Cambodia?

[deessell2]

Horizon School is part of the Gulen Movement which is a Turkish/Islamic cult. I would do some research on the movement and decide whether I wanted to help the Burmese or aid in the revival of the Ottoman Empire.

They are highly controversial in Turkey and also have over 120 Charter Schools in the US which are coming under scrutiny. I have experience at another of their "educational facilities" elsewhere in Asia.

[Skyblue2]

[Overhere100]

Financially the cost of living has rocketed by around 20% and the exchange rate against the dollar is dire! Schools to avoid are ILBC - who cheat and break so-called contracts, despise the foreigners they hire and have appalling teaching conditions, MISY who fire at whim on age, nationality etc... and ISM - who are ageist i.e. you need to be under 35. There are no labor laws protecting foreigners working here. Only take a job that offers medical coverage (getting medi-vacced out costs a fortune), a return air ticket and paid vacations. ILBC tries to shove people into a cut-price rundown slum without water and electricity half the time to save money and accommodation at other schools varies. You need to pay at least $600-900 a month plus bills to get anything half-way decent. Landlords require 6-12 months rent in advance. You also have to leave the country every 10 weeks to get a new visa which becomes an expensive pain as some of the schools don't cover the full cost of these trips.
I am off to Vietnam as figure better savings there and certainly better living conditions with regular Internet and phone service (not available in Burma as Internet is regularly blocked and slow).

Good luck!

[ladymadonna]

[bentanddisfunctional]

Myanmar is getting more expensive,certainly much more than Thailand.

The kyat has depreciated signifigantly against the U.S $ and with fuel and electricity subsidies being reduced/removed and the opening up of the country to foreign investment/personel and anticipated NGO invasion the cost of living for expats will likely rise signifigantly as demand for housing increases in a tight market like Yangon.

However with a bit of door knocking it is still possible to find an apartment or modest house in the $200-$400/month range depending on your expectations.

Decent 'International' schools pay between $1700-$2500 plus a housing allowance,and cover your visa runs so despite the increase in costs it should be still possible to have a decent standard of living and put away some money for a rainy day.

It's not all doom and gloom

[Teachurrrr]

MOD EDIT:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=88421&sid=ae7420fb0c210cfd74ccd82369d1bc52