Moving to Asia with little/no money

SattvaPaul

Possible at all? I'm thinking of Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore. Maybe I could get a TEFL cert. and teach English (though I'm not a native English speaker). Any other options or ideas? I don't know where to start looking.

vinlyn

I find that most people that ask exactly this question don't really want an answer. But, since you asked.

I lived in Thailand for a couple of years after I retired. If you think living in Thailand will be easy with a very low income, then you'll be disappointed. What kind of living conditions do you want? I had no money problems. I paid about the same for a decent 3 bedroom apartment in Bangkok as I did on my mortgage for a 3 bedroom, 3 level townhouse. The apartment was much smaller and not nearly as nice. Food is remarkably cheap if you want to eat on the street. Good clothing is more expensive, of course you can buy very cheap.

Can you teach English? Probably. Do you know anything about teaching, or will you actually be doing a disservice to your students?

In Malaysia you need to be careful of what area you would go to. Some areas are getting awfully strong Muslim attitude toward foreigners. Singapore is much more expensive than either Thailand or Malaysia.

I think the biggest question for you is WHY?

Dakini

Have you looked into what it takes to get certified as a TEFL instructor? I did years ago. You need to take university courses in the subject. Maybe you've already done that, but if you haven't, you'll need money to get the training to get the certification. (Actually, being a non-native speaker of English would help you, I think. You'd be an outsider to English looking in, just like your students.)

zidangus

You can actually take TEFL courses online in the UK, remember that you need a university degree to be offered any English teaching jobs though.


Here is an example of where you can get this

http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl/

SattvaPaul

Thanks folks. I think I was feeling a little fed up today. I need to have a break from Western civilisation, even if it's a holiday. I think moving to Asia would be better for my mental health to be honest.

I suppose I could get tefl but I have no university degree. India is another possible destination. There are many volunteering opportunities, but usually they ask for some fee up front.

Gui

Just remember the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. Best wishes in your endeavors.

Mountains

Wherever you go, there you are.

Truer words were never spoken...

SattvaPaul

Well, my experience is that sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side.

I'm finding that my state of mind can be very influenced by my surroundings. I'm staring to realise that I might be quite sensitive to it, perhaps more than others. This can be another discussion topic in itself.

I'm not thinking about moving because I'm searching for some "enlightenment" somewhere else, which often seems to be people's reason for going to Asia. I just want to live in a place which is healthier - in terms of surroundings, society. And I want the sun. And nice food and women And having a Buddhist temple round the corner would be nice.

Or maybe it's just ideas in my mind. I don't know.

zidangus

Thanks folks. I think I was feeling a little fed up today. I need to have a break from Western civilisation, even if it's a holiday. I think moving to Asia would be better for my mental health to be honest.

I suppose I could get tefl but I have no university degree. India is another possible destination. There are many volunteering opportunities, but usually they ask for some fee up front.

Actually I should correct myself, I believe you can teach English in countries such as China without the need of a university degree, but for places like Japan, I think it would be hard to get a job as the competition is strong ( a lot of people want to do what you want to do, in these places and standards are very high).

Anyway check out the different countries and what your chances are of finding work.


http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/articles/workinasia.shtml

Hubris

No matter where you go you have to deal with people, civilization as it were, and their idiosyncrasies. You can run but you can't hide, whether Buddhism is part of their culture or not.

If you are going solely for the purpose of cross-educating people in English and/or Western culture that's great, perhaps you will find solace in that pursuit, however if you are running away it could conceivably be from yourself, and the angst you have within. No matter how far you go it will always travel with you until you address it.

SattvaPaul

That is true (running away from myself) to a degree. But I've found that often changing our environment works for the better, it can release our energy and provide new opportunities. Wouldn't you agree? Then perhaps it is easier to address some of our issues. I know that my life would have been more miserable if I hadn't moved to another country. But it may be time for me to move on again.

compassionate_warrior

@sattvapaul: you don't need a university degree to teach English in the Peace Corps. Are you a US citizen? you could try the Peace Corps. Then you wouldn't have to worry about money.

Mountains

Until the teabaggers de-fund the Peace Corps (just give them time)...

MindGate

Until the teabaggers de-fund the Peace Corps (just give them time)...

I've been seeing a lot of political fueled passion coming from you recently, Mountains. Election season is approaching. To arms!