Hi all, I'm new to the forum. After doing several months of research, I would love to get some advice on my plans to move to Thailand. Firstly, a little about myself and my plans...I am a 27 year old American woman, and I am graduating from a university here next May with a Bachelors degree in English. I would like to move to Thailand for about 9months-1 year, possibly more. I have decided that teaching English would probably be the most plausible way of staying in Thailand, considering my degree. Plus, I would really enjoy the experience.
So, a few things have come to mind in developing this plan that I am having a hard time figuring out completely. First, what time of year should I move to Thailand? I have read that it is best to set up the job while you're already in Thailand, and that May and November are hiring times. I wouldn't be graduating until mid-May so I assume I'll have to go with the November hiring season? Should I move there some time in advance of the hiring season? What is the best way of going about choosing a place to live? I have looked into each region, and I know I don't want to be in a city like Bangkok, however I would like an area where I can bicycle/walk to eating places, a market, etc. Also, another issue that I'm trying to figure out is how difficult it would be for my fiance' to come with me to Thailand. He would not be working since he does not hold a Bachelors degree. However, I have read that he can get a visa by studying at a Thai university or by doing border-crossings. What are your opinions on these scenarios? I would appreciate any other input you may have, as this is a big undertaking and the more I understand about it all, the better. Thanks all!
Hello and welcome to the forum.
I would say that most schools will have already started in May and November, as my school's terms actually start in May and October. I would also say that it would be best to look for a job while the previous term is wrapping up. Schools will try to secure teachers for the next term before they go on holiday. If I were looking for a position at my school, I would probably approach the school in March for the term that starts in May, and September for the term that starts in October. Although, I don't think you would have too much trouble finding work if you came to some provincial school in November. A young educated lady like yourself is quite in demand. If you are white, even more so.Originally Posted by lostdoll
Your fiance doesn't have a Bachelor's degree. So, is he wealthy or plan to live off of his savings while in Thailand? How would he pay for his expenses? If you live in the provinces, I'm not sure about the quality of education available for him at a Thai university if he wants to get the visa that way. But if he just does it to get the visa, the quality wouldn't matter. Also, if you two only plan to stay for 9 months to a year, his visa runs might not be a problem, but they might. People cannot just make visa runs indefinitely. He may eventually get refused by Immigration.
Good luck!
"Thailand is way past the days of tuna, pineapples, and bargirls." - Sharky
From doing a budget, I have determined that by me working and bringing savings we have, he will not need to work for us to make it financially. Really we just need to find a way for him to be allowed to stay with me. It seems that getting a double-entry visa and doing runs/extensions will be our only chance. I'm just afraid that I'll be in the middle of a teaching contract and he will be forced to leave.
You need to re-evaluate this. Honestly, what is he going to do while you are in school 8 to 10 hours a day? You're not going to make enough money for him to hang out at Starbucks all day or travel around taking photos everywhere. There is also the issue of temptation and it is available in abundance here. You know what they say about idle hands...
"While Jim is milking the Russian Boar, I'm in the shade of a Baobab tree being served a cool drink by a beautiful young indigenous girl. "
Marlin Perkins
Aloha - Aloha HARD
lostdoll, have you or your fiance ever been to Thailand? I'm just asking because I am really hoping that you know what you are getting yourselves into. I don't know your financial situation, but you are going to have just graduated when you come over, and I'm only assuming that you won't have a lot of savings as you were presumably not working full time while in school and probably have debt from going to school. And I have no idea about your fiance. Maybe he is the heir to a multi- billion dollar oil tycoon and never needed to work or get an education. If that's the case, yes, he would not need to work. Otherwise, one teaching salary is not going to support two people, especially one that will eventually be spending money to keep himself busy while not working.
You need to seriously think about this. A foreign man with unlimited free time in a land full of beautiful ladies that often have a very high affinity for foreigners. He will have nothing but time(hopefully) on his hands while you are out teaching all day. When the cat's away, the mice will play. And if he's patiently sitting at home waiting for you to come home from work, are you going to be full of energy every day to go out after work to keep him from being bored. And even so, would you be able to financially support it? Really, what's he going to be doing the whole time?
double-entry-tourists visas were how i rolled for my first four years in Thailand. that ended when i decided to work for a living, and that was three years ago, so my info's not the most current. he might be able to get a second passport if he tells 'em he wants to visit both Israel and Malaysia (the US will do that). fewer visas = fewer raised eyebrows. don't know anyone still doing this (the rest of my visa run buddies have decided to grow up too) but i'd imagine he can get away with a year at least.
---Update---
he'll have little money though, so i think the best plan is to get a PS3 and park him in front of it.
Imodium can't stop me.
What is your top priority? Living in Thailand? Or getting a teaching job? If it's teaching, you might want to get your first experience closer to home. Best of luck!
yep it would dramatically increase your odds of having a good second experience of teachering.
These are all very helpful thoughts, thank you! Like I said, I've done a lot of reading but this has been more eye-opening than anything I've read through before. I appreciate all your input! Regarding the finances, it seems that I was mistaken that we'd both be able to live off of my income as a teacher. Coupled with the visa issues, do you guys think I should look into teaching somewhere else? My main goal in all of this is that I want to experience living in another country (preferably of Buddhist culture) and to teach English. I would also really prefer that my fiance' come with me. Is there somewhere else that has less visa restrictions that we could afford living in on one teacher salary? Or a place where he could find a little work without a degree?
Have either of you been outside of the US?
Daniel Bedingfield claimed that his new album is what it would sound like if Sting, Stevie Wonder and Micheal Jackson were in a basement together - I haven't got the album so I'll have to imagine the sound of a blind bloke and a Geordie kicking the shit out of a pedophile.
you mean TEFLing? or are you fully qualified? if you mean the former, hope you both like instant noodles.
i don't now offhand, but the pool of Buddhist countries is limited isn't it. what's his background? maybe there's something legal he can do (besides PS3, which doesn't pay).
Cream, we have both been to Mexico and the Caribbean area, but other than that--no. I do understand the drastic differences in living in another country, and this is what we're looking for.
---Update---
zeusbheld, yes, I mean teaching English there. I do not have a TEFL certificate, but I will hold a Bachelors degree in English. My fiance's background is in retail, really. He has managed a fish & reptile store for 10 years, so most all of his knowledge is going to be in management or dealing with saltwater fish/aquarium maintenance.
so your'e looking at about 30 k a month? learn to love instant noodles. retail's a bit tough for foreigners and may even be on the gov's no-go list. maybe he should some sort of junior management position with a manufacturing firm, i think the degree thing only applies to teachers.
You should work there and save up some money first. I have always felt it is not hard at all in the US to get a job for 6 months to a year, get a cheap cheap place (maybe even stay with folks), and save all your income (or almost all). I mean that would be a bundle here, then you wont have to worry so much if you are working.
I would look into other countries, see how they hit you. South America is beautiful and some countries very cheap with much better climate. In short, save some funds or look into another country is my advice
Resident Troll.
I am a big proponent of this, although this usually falls on deaf ears on this forum, where people seem to be very financially illiterate.
Assume you stay living with your parents and make $10/hr after tax. This is not impossible. Work 40 hours a week. That's $20,800 in a year, or $1733 per month.
Spend $433/mo. on food/entertainment, leaving $1300 in savings monthly. After a year, you will have $15,600. That's enough to invest and get $100/mo. in passive income at least. That's over 3000 baht, so it's like getting 10% extra income doing nothing.
Alternatively, leave it alone and let it grow on its own. You're 27--retire at 65. You'll have $290k saved if you earned 8% interest, which is a pretty unspectacular return on investments. That's without adding a dime in savings.
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