BootsnAll Travel Community

So, an opportunity has come up for me to teach English in Vietnam after I graduate university (one more year!). I have discussed all the details, and it seems like a pretty good deal, although I don't know much about the whole market really.. $1800/mo, accommodation provided, teaching to adults, etc, etc..

Anyways, I'm having an internal battle about whether or not to go. Here's why: when I went traveling in Australia a couple years ago, I met some friends, and have been planning to do the whole backpack around Europe thing with said friends. Then I was planning on heading out on a RTW alone.

On one hand, I want to get out there and just travel once I'm done school (Europe with friends, and RTW), and not be tied down to one place right away. On the other hand, Vietnam seems like a great opportunity, and I'm afraid if I don't take it now, I might miss out. Plus I'd be able to save more money for doing a RTW a bit later... Another thing adding to my indecision is the fact I've never lived abroad. Is Vietnam the best place to do that for the first time? I'm just having doubts, and don't want to end up making the wrong choice (even though I realize both are fantastic choices).

I have a million more questions, but I'll leave it at that. I've talked to friends and family, but they don't really understand why the hell I'd want to do either... so I figured I'd ask here. Help? Thoughts? Thanks!

Sounds like it is a bit of a dilemma. Is the job for one years, two, or open ended?

My first thought is to take the job. You'll get to really get to know the place, people and so on. I think you'd enjoy Vietnam, plenty of travelers going through you can find when you want.

Like you said save some money while your doing it, take some side trips to Laos, Cambodia. Taking your trip afterwards will make sense to an employer when you look for work later. You may need some home time before heading out though. Only down side would be not going on the trip with your friends you planned to. Personally, I like meeting people on the road travel with them while we want to do the same things and then find someone else. Good luck!

It was similar for me when I graduated from school too. Things are just too overwhelming after we close a chapter of life and about for a new one.

Vietnam is a good place to live generally, and I've got some foreign friends living here with us in Vietnam for years without any difficulty going about their daily life. They love the country and the people. But I'm sure everyone is not the same and you may have a different taste when choosing which country to live in. So if you are not sure about the place why not travel to Vietnam for a couple of weeks to get to know the country?

Also, temporary things seem more charming than they are sometimes and in Vietnamese we have a saying "The missed fish are the bigger ones" meaning we all tend to exaggerate things that we want to get and miss. Living a happy life needs a good philosophy and sometimes good luck.

Reading your case I first felt you just wanted to try different experiences before settling down. I'd try different things first and actually I did after school. Experiences make me more aware of who I am and what I want to do in life. Maybe I had missed some opportunities already, but what I care more about is what I'm doing and what I'm planning to do.

Hope you make your best choice!

Take the job. You'll be able to invite your firends over and go traveling in Asia during school holiday. Living abroad is a great experience and if you have it all lined up, do it.
It might be intimidating at the moment - but three weeks into it, you'll wonder why you have ever worried. It's not like you move to a war zone.

I think there are two separate questions:

1. Should you teach and stay in one location or do a RTW or other kind of traveling?
and
2. Should you commit to this particular job right now.

I don't have much to add to what others have said about 1., but having taught English I know that there are a LOT of EFL jobs. I believe in Vietnam it is common for teachers to earn fairly good wages without even a tefl certificate required. This could change - sometimes specific events lead to big visa changes as there were in Thailand and Korea I believe - but a potential change would affect you regardless of whether you decide to commit now or wait till you graduate.

The opportunity you have access to may be a good one, but I guess I'm a little skeptical (of the potential employer, not you) as to why you'd have to commit to it a year in advance.

I understand you're kind of looking for tips in general ... I also kind of like to know what I'm going to be doing in a year and so on. But - without knowing you - I guess my tip would be - think hard about whether you really need to commit to that job a year in advance. My personal impression is that you would find other similar or at least good opportunities without tying yourself to that job so far in advance.

I guess I should clarify a few things. The job contract would be for one year, and I could choose to renew after that. I definitely don't have to commit to the job yet. I've basically been told that in a year (when I graduate) if I'm still interested, there will be a spot for me. The employer has worked with my family (who run a school in Canada), so I do know them... they also teach ESL here, as well as general literacy, and are opening schools up around the world.

All the points you guys made are exactly what I'm thinking.. on both sides! I know there are lots of teaching english jobs out there, and who knows, this one might be around for me in two or three years still. However, it would be a great opportunity to do some traveling in that area, as well as save money for a RTW. But I'm not sure if I want to be tied down to one place right away. Anyways, now I'm just repeating myself. Thanks for the thoughts so far... if anyone else has anymore, I'd love to hear them!

Okay - I see - and personally knowing your potential employer is probably a pretty good advantage, so I can understand why this job could be better than the others.

Good luck with your decision...

Take the job, no question.

That one year of living overseas will provide you with invaluable skills when you do the RTW. More importantly, you'll have a whole different mindset.

Being tied down for a year is going to be frustrating for you, from the sounds of it. I think the payoff will be worth it.

I'm actually really glad to see this thread. I currently have another 2 years left before school will be done but afterwards I have a job lined up already with a friend who is a principle at a school in Indonesia. It will be low pay but housing and all bills paid for. I keep thinking in the back of my mind, the decision I will have to make once I graduate. Do I go back to Africa and travel more or do I immediately take the job.

It is good to see the advice for you but unfortunately I don't have any additional advice other than... I'm glad I'm not the only one that faces this decision. I still got o few years and things will change for sure.

Take it. You can alway fly back on a moments notice if you absolutely hate it. If do not go you will regret for the rest of your life, and really you will never know what you missed.

I will grosly guess here, but simply the fact that you desperately look for someone to encourage you is a clear indication that you should go.
Remember most people do not travel and they'll never know what they missed.

I agree with Traveler_2007...you're second post seems like you're slightly inclined to take the job. The 'pro' column is lengthy--gain an international work/travel skill set, time to save money, familiarity with the region, etc.

But here's the crux of the issue: there are two types of decisions...fear-based and love-based.
Whether you teach or travel, it doesn't sound like you'll be held back by a fear based decision--very wise indeed
Pick the one that means the most to you!