Nice Beach/Weather June 2012 Vaca/Job Search

[cajunpete]

Hi all,

I am a teacher in the US and am planning to try teaching overseas for awhile. I think I would like to start in SE Asia. I want to do a combination vacation/job search. I am looking into the possibilities of teaching in Thailand, South Korea, Viet Nam, or Cambodia...though I think I would probably like to begin by working in Thailand. I would hear some suggestions as where I could use a a "base" for doing my research. Ideally I was thinking of renting a bungalow at/near the beach for a month, and working from there to search for the best teaching jobs available to me. Of course the time of year/weather would be a factor, as would cost. I was hoping to be able to rent a bungalow or apartment for the entire month in the $800.00 to 900.00 USD range. I was considering Koh Samui for the weather/time of year...would that be a good choice. I've checked an found places in that price range, but I am not sure how convienent it would be for travel around Thailand and perhaps beyond to the other countries listed.

Also, would I be better off renting a place in advance or waiting until I get there to see what is available and to negotiate the price.

I had originally thought to rent a place for June and July, but since I would have to leave because of visa requirements, I was thinking look in Thailand for the month, and follow-up any leads in the other three countries mentioned with some vacation in the other 3 countries.

Does that sound reasonable?

I am also hoping to do all of this on a budget of between 5-6 thousand dollars(once I reach BKK). Again, is this realistic?

I am hoping for as much/varied advice as I can get.

Please avail me of the knowledge that I know is available on this forum.

Thanks,

Peter

[CharlieH]

This would probably be better in the Teaching forum.

June is rainiy season

have you ever been to Thailand ?

Koh Samui being an island is not exactly that easy ie cheap to use as a base for travelling, air transport expensive, by sea you have to organise allow for onward links so as a base for travelling not that good in my opinion.

looking for somewhere to stay is ALWAYS better done on location on foot.

Good luck.

[cajunpete]

This would probably be better in the Teaching forum.

June is rainiy season

have you ever been to Thailand ?

Koh Samui being an island is not exactly that easy ie cheap to use as a base for travelling, air transport expensive, by sea you have to organise allow for onward links so as a base for travelling not that good in my opinion.

looking for somewhere to stay is ALWAYS better done on location on foot.

Good luck.

Valid points Charlie...Thanks!

No I have not been before. Where would you suggest? I am not so worried about the teaching aspect in this post...but more so the logistics of looking for a job while also staying near a beach. I understand weather will be a factor, but I will be in the area for two months...surely I should be able to get in some time at he beach. Where would be a good base of operations?...anyone?

[craigt3365]

Yes, I think this is better in the Teaching Forum.

I'll also add my 1 Baht worth...as mentioned above, Samui is an island with expensive flights in/out. Or, lengthy overland options. Your best base would be Bangkok, especially if you plan to visit the other countries you mention...costs to do this will REALLY eat into your 5-6k budget. Flights are not cheap to Seoul and it's not a cheap city to visit. Nothing like Tokyo, but it ain't cheap.

So, if you really want to be near a beach, you might be able to base yourself in Hua Hin or somewhere in the area of Sri Racha or Pattaya. Though the beaches in the latter area are not that great. Neither of them compare to Samui.

I think what you might have to do is take a few weeks to chill on the beach, then relocate elsewhere for your job search?

Have you ever been to Cambodia or Vietnam? Or even Thailand before? There are vast differences among these countries. I'm no expert for sure, but I do have a few friends who teach in S. Korea and they say it's a great place to make money if teaching.

[cajunpete]

Yes, I think this is better in the Teaching Forum.

I'll also add my 1 Baht worth...as mentioned above, Samui is an island with expensive flights in/out. Or, lengthy overland options. Your best base would be Bangkok, especially if you plan to visit the other countries you mention...costs to do this will REALLY eat into your 5-6k budget. Flights are not cheap to Seoul and it's not a cheap city to visit. Nothing like Tokyo, but it ain't cheap.

So, if you really want to be near a beach, you might be able to base yourself in Hua Hin or somewhere in the area of Sri Racha or Pattaya. Though the beaches in the latter area are not that great. Neither of them compare to Samui.

I think what you might have to do is take a few weeks to chill on the beach, then relocate elsewhere for your job search?

Have you ever been to Cambodia or Vietnam? Or even Thailand before? There are vast differences among these countries. I'm no expert for sure, but I do have a few friends who teach in S. Korea and they say it's a great place to make money if teaching.

No I've never been to Asia before. I have been wanting to do this for years, and I 've decided to "give it a go". I've also heard South Korea is a good place to make money. For that matter, I've also heard that Thailand can be as well. I am hoping to get at job at one of the international schools...the ones from S.Korea, usually do their recruiting/interviewing from sites in the US. Perhaps I might have to put of the South Korea leg until I have a job somewhere else...or if offered a position ahead of time.

So, if I were to take S.Korea out of the mix, and were to base myself in Bankok, would my bankroll allow me to travel Cambodia and Vietnam and still get in a little beach time?

I really appreciate the imput from you both...THANKS!!!

Peter

[craigt3365]

Yes, I think this is better in the Teaching Forum.

I'll also add my 1 Baht worth...as mentioned above, Samui is an island with expensive flights in/out. Or, lengthy overland options. Your best base would be Bangkok, especially if you plan to visit the other countries you mention...costs to do this will REALLY eat into your 5-6k budget. Flights are not cheap to Seoul and it's not a cheap city to visit. Nothing like Tokyo, but it ain't cheap.

So, if you really want to be near a beach, you might be able to base yourself in Hua Hin or somewhere in the area of Sri Racha or Pattaya. Though the beaches in the latter area are not that great. Neither of them compare to Samui.

I think what you might have to do is take a few weeks to chill on the beach, then relocate elsewhere for your job search?

Have you ever been to Cambodia or Vietnam? Or even Thailand before? There are vast differences among these countries. I'm no expert for sure, but I do have a few friends who teach in S. Korea and they say it's a great place to make money if teaching.

No I've never been to Asia before. I have been wanting to do this for years, and I 've decided to "give it a go". I've also heard South Korea is a good place to make money. For that matter, I've also heard that Thailand can be as well. I am hoping to get at job at one of the international schools...the ones from S.Korea, usually do their recruiting/interviewing from sites in the US. Perhaps I might have to put of the South Korea leg until I have a job somewhere else...or if offered a position ahead of time.

So, if I were to take S.Korea out of the mix, and were to base myself in Bankok, would my bankroll allow me to travel Cambodia and Vietnam and still get in a little beach time?

I really appreciate the imput from you both...THANKS!!!

Peter

Others will give you estimates of what schools pay here, so I won't comment on that. For sure, taking S. Korea out of the mix is a huge help. Flights to Vietnam are reasonable and Cambo can be done cheaply overland. Cambo and VN have some really nice beaches also.

[Phatcharanan]

What do you teach and what are your qualifications?

If you are a 'licensed home-country' teacher then you should be looking at the good International Schools and they are, for the most part, in Bangkok.

[Scott]

There are several different levels of schools. The true international schools, those that are affiliated and accredited from the home country, pay very good salaries (roughly 80-100,000). Recruitment is almost always done from the home country. Very little local recruitment of foreign nationals is done in country. The international schools, those with an international program or the word international in the name, will recruit locally and usually pay a decent salary (45-55,000). The gov't schools, I believe, are in the 45,000 neighborhood. The bilingual and Thai programs will generally start around 35,000. This is very general information and salary will have a lot to do with the location of the school.

Be aware that it's not only the salary, but also the benefits which can make the job attractive. Some provide free accommodation some don't.

With a degree in teaching and a Teacher's License from your home country, you should have no trouble in finding work and should be able to command a decent salary.

Unless you are seeking employment on one of the Islands, stay away from them during your search. It's too expensive and difficult to be an operational base.

Other posters will hopefully come along and correct and expand the information posted so far.

[cajunpete]

What do you teach and what are your qualifications?

If you are a 'licensed home-country' teacher then you should be looking at the good International Schools and they are, for the most part, in Bangkok.

I am a 47 year old male. I have been teaching for 13 years. I am certified in Special Education and highly qualified to teach english, math, science, social studies, to SPED students. I have a BA in History with alternate certification in Special Education and Master's degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership (administration). I am also considered highly qualified in regular education (social studies). I can get additional certifications in PE and Health simply by paying approximately 100 dollars and taking each test.

You all have been a great help so far...Please keep it coming!

Pete

[RickThai]

Cajun Pete;

If I were you, I would carefully think about the reasons you want to teach in SEA. Thailand is very diverse as are the countries of Cambodia, Vietnam, etc.

If you want to live near the ocean (i.e. resort-type lifestyle), than I would recommend you visit Koh Phuket, Koh Samui, and Koh Chang to get an idea of the differences in lifestyle, before spending a month in one location. A week at each, should be plenty. Koh Phuket and Koh Samui are more expensive than some of the other areas. Other costal areas to consider might be Hua Hin, Chumpon, Samae San, etc.

If you want to have plenty of access to bars (read girls), then Bangkok and Pattaya will certainly give you more options for jobs.

If you want to understand Thai culture and help the Thai people, then teaching at one of the larger cities (Phitsanalok, Nakon Sawan, Lamphang, Chang Rai, etc.) located in-land, or even some of the smaller villages (up which might result in a more gratifying lifestyle).

You might also find out, that you hate the entire culture and lifestyle. I would trread cautiously before abandoning the life you have in the US to go and live in another country or area of the world that you have never visited before.

Good luck.

RickThai

Edited August 19, 2011 by RickThai

[Phatcharanan]

I am a 47 year old male. I have been teaching for 13 years. I am certified in Special Education and highly qualified to teach english, math, science, social studies, to SPED students. I have a BA in History with alternate certification in Special Education and Master's degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership (administration). I am also considered highly qualified in regular education (social studies). I can get additional certifications in PE and Health simply by paying approximately 100 dollars and taking each test.

You all have been a great help so far...Please keep it coming!

Pete

With those quals and experience you really need to be in Bangkok and looking at the 'true' Internationals. Any teacher who has SPED or SEN (UK) qualifications is highly desirable at these schools.

The opportunities for being hired though will very much depend on the time of year. Try looking at some websites such as

www.tes.co.uk

www.teachanywhere.com

www.search-associates.com

The schools generally hire from overseas and from Job Fairs. Benefits are usually excellent......free flights, free housing, generally free utilities and medical insurance etc.

However, they will also hire ex-pats locally. This is down to luck though. If you are hired locally you will often receive a decent salary but will not qualify for most of the benefits. (Generally speaking) Basically, if you are within Thailand, just knock on the school doors, drop off a portfolio and take it from there.

Get yourself a good portfolio together, resume, letters of recommendation, photocopies of qualifications, perhaps a CD/DVD of you actually teaching a class etc.

Good luck.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Phatcharanan

[cajunpete]

Cajun Pete;

If I were you, I would carefully think about the reasons you want to teach in SEA. Thailand is very diverse as are the countries of Cambodia, Vietnam, etc.

If you want to live near the ocean (i.e. resort-type lifestyle), than I would recommend you visit Koh Phuket, Koh Samui, and Koh Chang to get an idea of the differences in lifestyle, before spending a month in one location. A week at each, should be plenty. Koh Phuket and Koh Samui are more expensive than some of the other areas. Other costal areas to consider might be Hua Hin, Chumpon, Samae San, etc.

If you want to have plenty of access to bars (read girls), then Bangkok and Pattaya will certainly give you more options for jobs.

If you want to understand Thai culture and help the Thai people, then teaching at one of the larger cities (Phitsanalok, Nakon Sawan, Lamphang, Chang Rai, etc.) located in-land, or even some of the smaller villages (up which might result in a more gratifying lifestyle).

You might also find out, that you hate the entire culture and lifestyle. I would trread cautiously before abandoning the life you have in the US to go and live in another country or area of the world that you have never visited before.

Good luck.

RickThai

Hi RickThai,

Thanks for the information and suggestions.

I am able to take a quasi-sabbatical for a year...my job will be waiting for me if I want it. The situation is getting bad where I live. Kids that are only in school because they are ordered by a judge. Kids just sticking it out until they are old enough to drop out. An accountability system that will keep me at the lost end of the pay scale until I retire because of the population of kids I teach. Recently divorced too. I believe I potentially have a chance at a much better standard of living in SEA. Definitely more respect for my profession.

No....I'm not saying I'll stay, but I am going to seriously give it a go.

Anything anyone has in the way of information, suggestions, networking help...it will ALL be greatly appreciated.

Please keep the information/tips coming

Pete

[otherstuff1957]

Pete, if I were you I would try to keep my vacation/leisure time (and place) separate from my work. If you want to spend a few weeks at the beach before you start looking for a job, do so. A week or so on the different islands would be quite enjoyable.

Then, go to Bangkok and start looking for a job. With your qualifications, you shouldn't have any trouble getting a fairly well-paying job (50k baht+). Try to get hired directly by a school, rather than through an agent, so that you get the best benefits. Also, make sure that your get a decent amount of paid vacation ( I get about 5 weeks per year).

Working in Thailand is not always a piece of cake. When you are on the job, you need to work hard. So, I generally keep work and play strictly separated. When schools out I head to the beach or the mountains. The rest of the time I keep my mind on the job.

Good luck!

[cajunpete]

Pete, if I were you I would try to keep my vacation/leisure time (and place) separate from my work. If you want to spend a few weeks at the beach before you start looking for a job, do so. A week or so on the different islands would be quite enjoyable.

Then, go to Bangkok and start looking for a job. With your qualifications, you shouldn't have any trouble getting a fairly well-paying job (50k baht+). Try to get hired directly by a school, rather than through an agent, so that you get the best benefits. Also, make sure that your get a decent amount of paid vacation ( I get about 5 weeks per year).

Working in Thailand is not always a piece of cake. When you are on the job, you need to work hard. So, I generally keep work and play strictly separated. When schools out I head to the beach or the mountains. The rest of the time I keep my mind on the job.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply,

If you don't mind me asking...

Where do you work?

How did you go about finding your job?

What time of year were you hired?

Thank you for your time...

Pete

[Ijustwannateach]

You should be aware that the countries you mention vary WIDELY, as Scott says.

I am familiar with some teaching options in various countries in this area, so I'll try to throw out some general advice based on what you've said/hinted:

1. If you're thinking of the Beach/Teaching life, think again. This will basically keep you (as a foreigner) in the worst possible situation as far as people in Thailand are concerned- you will be in areas surrounded by the type of people who deal with tourists, who are really the worst sorts of people to deal with (on the whole, with exceptions I'm sure, yada yada yada). Furthermore the job options will be few and low paying (there are lots of people who had your idea already- though not as qualified- and they depress your market). This only works out for people who don't really need money and just want to do a little teaching on the side, who can live in non-tourist areas where there won't be schools that can pay anything like your market value.

2. If you really care about retirement, you need to stick with the real international schools (which are not on beaches). Check out the recruitment websites and take full advantage of your credentials. That would also give you access to various countries. Realise that you will be more attractive as a hire if you are already living and working in your HOME country, not in Asia.

3. Understand that schools here are not paradises. Read all the material in all the pinned threads and the links recommended there. Schools here have politics, crazy people, troubled students, even more troubled teachers, unbelievably troubled management, and the usual assortment of dysfunctional and neurotic parents and students. Add corruption, paperwork, foreign culture and differences in curriculum. It's not an EASY job.

4. If all of these things don't dissuade you, in fact you are probably right about having a better quality of life ultimately if you don't make too many mistakes.

5. Some miscellaneous advice- since you are straight, why not try out Japan or Korea? Plenty of top-notch international schools there and some other first-world facilities.

[cajunpete]

You should be aware that the countries you mention vary WIDELY, as Scott says.

I am familiar with some teaching options in various countries in this area, so I'll try to throw out some general advice based on what you've said/hinted:

1. If you're thinking of the Beach/Teaching life, think again. This will basically keep you (as a foreigner) in the worst possible situation as far as people in Thailand are concerned- you will be in areas surrounded by the type of people who deal with tourists, who are really the worst sorts of people to deal with (on the whole, with exceptions I'm sure, yada yada yada). Furthermore the job options will be few and low paying (there are lots of people who had your idea already- though not as qualified- and they depress your market). This only works out for people who don't really need money and just want to do a little teaching on the side, who can live in non-tourist areas where there won't be schools that can pay anything like your market value.

2. If you really care about retirement, you need to stick with the real international schools (which are not on beaches). Check out the recruitment websites and take full advantage of your credentials. That would also give you access to various countries. Realise that you will be more attractive as a hire if you are already living and working in your HOME country, not in Asia.

3. Understand that schools here are not paradises. Read all the material in all the pinned threads and the links recommended there. Schools here have politics, crazy people, troubled students, even more troubled teachers, unbelievably troubled management, and the usual assortment of dysfunctional and neurotic parents and students. Add corruption, paperwork, foreign culture and differences in curriculum. It's not an EASY job.

4. If all of these things don't dissuade you, in fact you are probably right about having a better quality of life ultimately if you don't make too many mistakes.

5. Some miscellaneous advice- since you are straight, why not try out Japan or Korea? Plenty of top-notch international schools there and some other first-world facilities.

Justwannateach,Thank you for the reply.

I do not envision "living" in a beach/tourist area. I just want to be able to go there some on my off time...without too much trouble. Closest beaches to me now are in San Diego, about a 13 hour drive

I would imagine that even if I lived in Bangkok, (not that I am say that is where I want to live...), I could make a trip to a decent beach every second or third weekend without too much of a hassle.

One of the things that is seriously lacking where I live now are things to do during my down time. I live in a desert. The nearest "city" has very little to offer. The nearest true cities with anything to do are 2 1/2 to 4 hours away...and still just shopping (not a big deal) or a movie theater and some decent restaurants...but 150 miles away.

I could put up with varying degrees of crap, if I have a better standard of living and things to do during my time off. I do not mind hard work, I just want to be fairly compensated for it, and to be able to save some money and have some fun when I am off.

My initial research (bear in mind it is in its very early stages) definitely bears out what you are saying concerning teaching and pay in Japan and S.Korea. From everything I have seen and heard from boards like this and friends that have traveled SEA; Japan would be VERY expensive, and a difficult place to save money in the best circumstances. South Korea sounds like a better option (please correct me if I am wrong), due to a better standard of living being possible. Working in S.Korea in an international school would be my first choice from what I have researched to this point...and definitely a route I am going to pursue on this end prior to making my way there. I am trying to plan ahead in case these jobs don't pan out...other options.

As I said in an earlier...I welcome ANY advise that people here are willing to offer. Please feel free to avail me with any other observations or experiences that you feel might be of value to me as I continue my research...it is appreciated. If you would consider relating your personal experiences to me as well...that also would be appreciated. I would like to try to learn from you all as much as possible.

Please keep 'em coming...

Peter

[Phatcharanan]

It should also be pointed out that June/July are really bad months to be looking for work as well.

[otherstuff1957]

Hello Pete, generally speaking, Bangkok offers the most jobs and the highest pay. However, I would repeat IJWT's suggestion about looking for an international school. If you google international school job fair, you should come up with some good results. While you really should be in-country to be hired for most schools, for international schools you are better off as an overseas hire.

There is a lot of competition for places at the best international schools, but the extra pay - often 100K baht or more per month - would make it worth it. If you cannot get into an international school before coming here, try to get into a school with an EP program or a bilingual school.

International schools are on the western calendar, so they will be hiring in the months before schools opens in early September. The better organized ones will be hiring a few months in advance, the rest during the summer. Thai schools run from early May to the end of September (1st Term) and from November to early March (2nd Term). Most schools have summer schools and grading/prep weeks, so your actual time off will vary from school to school. This year, I am getting 6 weeks off, plus the usual public holidays. Other schools offer as few as 2 weeks off to over 2 months off. Some government schools and language schools will give you 2 months off every years... without pay . Which is why I work at a bilingual school.

[cajunpete]

It should also be pointed out that June/July are really bad months to be looking for work as well.

This is very good information...Thanks!

Pete

[cajunpete]

Hello Pete, generally speaking, Bangkok offers the most jobs and the highest pay. However, I would repeat IJWT's suggestion about looking for an international school. If you google international school job fair, you should come up with some good results. While you really should be in-country to be hired for most schools, for international schools you are better off as an overseas hire.

There is a lot of competition for places at the best international schools, but the extra pay - often 100K baht or more per month - would make it worth it. If you cannot get into an international school before coming here, try to get into a school with an EP program or a bilingual school.

International schools are on the western calendar, so they will be hiring in the months before schools opens in early September. The better organized ones will be hiring a few months in advance, the rest during the summer. Thai schools run from early May to the end of September (1st Term) and from November to early March (2nd Term). Most schools have summer schools and grading/prep weeks, so your actual time off will vary from school to school. This year, I am getting 6 weeks off, plus the usual public holidays. Other schools offer as few as 2 weeks off to over 2 months off. Some government schools and language schools will give you 2 months off every years... without pay . Which is why I work at a bilingual school.

Thanks for the information. From everything I have read so far, It seems that my chances of getting a job at an international school once I am on the ground in Thailand are poor...or if I do, it would be with a lesser salary or with fewer benefit...or both.

Therefore I will definately be working on getting the international school job before coming.

That said, I wonder if might not be better to even not come and take any job except one at an international school?

How well can a single guy live in Thailand on 50,000-55,000 Baht?

Would I still have money to enjoy my free time and still be able to save some?

Please let me know what you think.

Thank you all,

Pete

[RickThai]

Hi CajunPete,

Although you can definitely live cheaper in Thailand than you can in the USA, the standard of living in Thailand is generally lower than what most people experience in the United States.

Things you take for granted like clean, drinkable tap water, and nice comfortable housing / furniture may not always be available in Thailand, unless you have a lot of money.

Getting used to living with lizards (chin choks), scorpions, etc is not for the squeamish. In Bangkok, the traffic and pollution (air and noise) is about 20 times worse than anything I have ever seen anywhere else in the world.

Minor crime (robbery, assaults, etc) is very common in Bangkok and most of the resort areas.

On 50k baht a month, you can live better than most Thais, but your lifestyle will still not be what you might consider well-off. I would think in the US it would be about the equivalent of making $26,000.00 USD a year. Enough to get by, and have a little discretionay income, but not a lot.

As posted, many people who teach in Thailand already have another income from their home country (retirement, pension, etc), and use that to supplement their teaching pay.

Since you have the option of a sabbatical from your job, taking a month off to come to Thailand and check out the country is a really wise move.

Also, having a "nest egg" to tide you over until you get hired and the paychecks start coming in, is also an important consideration. Some people think you need at least $5 - 15 thousand USDs just to get started.

Again, best of luck. I always admire people who are willing to re-invent their life (and take the chances that go along with major lifestyle changes).

RickThai

[cajunpete]

Hi CajunPete,

Although you can definitely live cheaper in Thailand than you can in the USA, the standard of living in Thailand is generally lower than what most people experience in the United States.

Things you take for granted like clean, drinkable tap water, and nice comfortable housing / furniture may not always be available in Thailand, unless you have a lot of money.

Getting used to living with lizards (chin choks), scorpions, etc is not for the squeamish. In Bangkok, the traffic and pollution (air and noise) is about 20 times worse than anything I have ever seen anywhere else in the world.

Minor crime (robbery, assaults, etc) is very common in Bangkok and most of the resort areas.

On 50k baht a month, you can live better than most Thais, but your lifestyle will still not be what you might consider well-off. I would think in the US it would be about the equivalent of making $26,000.00 USD a year. Enough to get by, and have a little discretionay income, but not a lot.

As posted, many people who teach in Thailand already have another income from their home country (retirement, pension, etc), and use that to supplement their teaching pay.

Since you have the option of a sabbatical from your job, taking a month off to come to Thailand and check out the country is a really wise move.

Also, having a "nest egg" to tide you over until you get hired and the paychecks start coming in, is also an important consideration. Some people think you need at least $5 - 15 thousand USDs just to get started.

Again, best of luck. I always admire people who are willing to re-invent their life (and take the chances that go along with major lifestyle changes).

RickThai

Hi RickThai,

I thank you very much for your input. I am thinking that the only way I would move at this point would be if I got a job at one of the international school paying in the $80,000 to 100,000 baht range (which is what I was told should be my market value) I was initially considering just coming and taking one of the lesser paying pseudo-international school jobs (if I could get one) until I was able to get a true international school gig. From everything I have read on this form and from others...my chances of landing an international school teaching job at the salary I would want (and the benefits I would want...i.e. housing and return ticket home etc.,) would be next to impossible once I was "in country". I guess I will continue to pursue the international school application/job fair route here over the next 10-12 months and see what happens.

I am already vested in a couple retirement systems but am too young to collect yet (only 47), but was hoping to get a jump start on exploring possible places for an expat retirement (while still young enough to actually live in several different places before choosing where I want to live...and possibly begin paying for that place once I find it).

I am ready for a change and I am afraid that if I wait too much longer I will let the idea did; and the last thing I want to do is be sitting around wondering "what could have been" had I tried it.

That said, this is exactly the kind of thing that I was hoping to hear on this forum. I hope you "veterans" will continue to advise me...you input is most welcome and appreciated.

Thanks again to: Scott, otherstuff1957 ,Patcharanan, ijustwannateach, and Charlie H for all of your help. Your willingness to take time out of your day to advise someone with the lack of knowledge that I have is a testament to the kind of people that you all are and the kind of forum this is...First Rate

Thanks.

Pete

P.S. Please keep it coming!!!

[RickThai]

Cajunpete;

I just got an e-mail from internationalteflacademy.com that included a popup showing various cost-of-living vs. pay scales and start-up costs for various countries. Although it is primarily concerned with teach English to foreigners by native-English speakers, it might give you some kind of an idea of where you might want to go to teach.

RickThai

[cajunpete]

Cajunpete;

I just got an e-mail from internationalteflacademy.com that included a popup showing various cost-of-living vs. pay scales and start-up costs for various countries. Although it is primarily concerned with teach English to foreigners by native-English speakers, it might give you some kind of an idea of where you might want to go to teach.

RickThai

Hi Rick...thanks for thinking about me...good information.

Pete