Budget for trip and TEFL course - Ajarn Forum

sparkles1 · 15th December 2005, 07:53

Hi guys,

So i'm starting to get excited...and nervous...and scared! I fly out of Aus on 19th Jan ready for my 17day gecko tour to check out diff. parts of thailand before I finally decide where I want to study and settle in for my TEFL. My questions are:
will I have enough cash? and
can I pick up work in the interim between the end of my 'holiday' and the start of the TEFL?

I will be leaving with approx $4500AUD (flights and tour already paid for) so will need cash for 17day trip thru hilltribes to beaches, full moon party on 14th Feb, and living expenses till around March when TEFL course starts (prob T&T, which I haven't paid for yet so will be approx $1500 AUD out of my budget).

Can I pick up work in the meantime for about a month? I have experience in admin/bar/hospitality/teaching (although no TEFL yet) and sports coaching.

If anyone can offer me some suggestions and /or opinions on my idea, I would be very greatful!

I guess I'm a little apprehensive and nervous becuse I'm going solo and it is my first os trip ever! My passion is teaching kids (3-15), so it is not like I'm just doing this 'because I can', I have taught PE here in Aus and I want to expand this skill into english teaching and travelling at the same time.

Do you think this is a realistic idea? Do you think I'll have enough cash until I finish my TEFL and pick up some teaching work? Money isn't really a motivation for me, I would much rather the experience, however unfortunately the cash is a necessary evil that I can't go without

Please help!!!

defender · 15th December 2005, 09:03

Stay away from some of the more expensive "Oriental delights" and you should be just fine. I think about 500 quid got me through my six week TEFL course in Phuket, then a another 200 or so getting setup with accomodation and shit ready to start my first job.

Take it easy at first, see how the money goes, take buses instead of planes, drink chang instead of heineken, etc.

Regarding working beforehand: IMO it wouldn't be that easy to find anything worthwhile, not short-term and not in the "tourist" areas - I wouldn't bother, just enjoy your holiday because once you get into teaching brats the holidays will be few and far between!

Very realistic idea, and you'll have a great time. Good luck!!

the-ugly-one · 17th December 2005, 14:10

I wouldn't bother with drinking that Chang stuff - just pay a bit extra for proper beer -

Added after 8 minutes:

seriously I can't understand people who want to save that 15B a bottle - your head pays for it the next day and you're contributing to the farce that is the Thai beer industry - only farangs know how to make beer - I should know as I am one myself.

kenkannif · 18th December 2005, 11:15

Chang is nice and I don't get a hangover from it at all really. I'd rather drink it than most of the other shite (Heini....urgh! etc.). Don't drink it 'cos it's cheap (although I quite like the fact that it's cheap).

Slim Chance · 18th December 2005, 11:29

Chang wipes me out the next day, Heinekin isn't the greatest tasing beer but at least its fit for human consumption.

I guess this is one of the things you'll need to sort out before you start your course. I'd allocate about 3000 dollars of your money for this most important fact-finding exercise - after all its knowledge you'll carry with you for the rest of your life.

aging one · 18th December 2005, 14:27

For the umpteenth time I am with Ken on the Chang issue. A nice beer that packs a punch, I only like it Thai style with ice, but its been my brew since its introduction.

Matthew · 18th December 2005, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkles1

full moon party on 14th Feb

Very fun and safe but please be careful in the surf if the weather's up and you've ingested anything "special" because another poor guy died out there recently.

Diamond_Ben · 20th December 2005, 00:14

Chang beer to Thailand is what Cobra (or Tiger) beer is to an indian restaurant..... it has to be drunk there! :chug:

So true about it wiping out the next day..... as I found out to my misfortune on my first trip earlier this year....

the aussie guy I was drinking with described it as a 'Changover' the next day....

..... made me laugh for a minute straight!! (maybe his accent made it sound funnier!)

santan · 22nd December 2005, 16:54

After you find out which is the best beer in Thailand let everyone know.
What it cost me to live here in Bangkok and take the tefl course was somewhere around
600 US for living expenses and the apartment costs. Some people can save money here by not using any air con, but it was hot when I moved here, so the electric was outrageous when I got the bill. Be very careful when selecting an apartment as they will try to steer you to the 7000 baht a month model. Working while taking the tefl is not a good idea. You would not make enough and it would just get in the way.
If I did this again I would want twice the amount of money that I came here with. More in the range of 2500 US just so I could have more nights out while in training.
santan

sparkles1 · 23rd December 2005, 08:31

Hey santan thanks for the reply..you said you wish u had 2500 US, is this including the cost of the course or is that after the course is paid for?

I don't want to work while studying, but i thought i might need to pick up something casually for a month inbetween the end of my holiday and the start of the course...but is it really worth it for just a month? The beach sounds so much more appealing and I haven't had a holiday in years...!!

jwaggoner · 24th December 2005, 08:04

Hi,
I'm curious as to what clothing is expected while teaching, attending TEFL, etc. I've heard that Thai's are pretty conservative and beards are out, and maybe a white short sleeve dress shirt and tie are appropriate. IS THIS TRUE???
Joe

Added after 1 minutes:

Also, Santan, can't see that you ever got an answer on your question about finding work for a short period of time. What about it, guys, is it possible to get some sort of a job for a month or so? Also, I'm American.....not speaking the language....a big problem? Thanks.

santan · 26th December 2005, 12:22

It helps if you can speak the language, but when you are first starting out here it is not expected.
Sometimes the students will get lazy and start talking Thai if you understand it, instead of English.
To answer the money question. That would be after you paid the Tefl class. You could get by on 2000 dollars US, but the more the better. I was stressed out the whole time on money and still am some.
You will be able to find work in Bangkok as soon as you want it , if you look.
It takes a little while to get yourself accustomed to Bangkok, but there are a lot of things to do here.
Which is one reason to bring more money.
santan