HI, I have a real life dilemma and need some advice/opinions.
I have been doing Tefl in SEA for 6 years now, and enjoy the lifestyle.
I have a choice:
1. Return to UK to be given a free flat (with ownership)
However this would mean living on benefits or working minimum wage jobs.
2. Remain in SEA with independent lifestyle, friends, job, girlfriend etc.. (but no real future)
The idea of living in the UK again sounds like a nightmare, but the flat proposal is tempting
I am 40.
please feel free to say/ ask whatever you like.
cheers
BTW: I am a man.
Moon Lander Champion!"with ownership" means you can sell or rent to others?
Yeah, as Jimbo says, why don't you simply rent the flat out? Good source of income.
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The conundrum of the unqualified TEFLer in Thailand:
Return home to continue a life of shelf stacking.
If fortunate you may be able to pull the midnight shift and afford your two weeks in Thailand once a year.
Or remain in Thailand at the bottom of the barrel.
Though with a girlfriend.
Tough one.
Guy Manpoof sux nuts for $$.
Tomcat trained. Satisfaction guaranteed.
that is 50% correct - ie: I could rent to others.
selling to others may be possible in the distant future but certainly not for 15 years or so.
However the problem is one of 'lack of means'
ie: no real way to pay council tax, bills, agents fees, setting up the flat for renting etc..
---Update---
ThePerfectPresent:
you are correct there.
although it's not just the girlfriend.
at least in Cambodia (where I live) I do have steady employment - not ideal but way better than working at Argos or signing on back home.
anyway, what would you all do?
Going back and then renting sounds good in theory, although practically speaking it may not be so easy and could end up just causing me to be stuck in UK in a nightmare.
I would probably go back for 12 months.
Work and study. Get some sort of UK governed post grad Cert. (even without a B.A. years of teaching experience can get you on one).
After 12 months of work you should be set up to rent out your pad, have some savings, and be better set up to return to SEA as a teacher.
I presume you have no pension to go with your lack of quals.
The years go fast. At 40, perhaps a longer stay and better qual such as a B.Ed would be advisable to set you up of 20 years of proper SEAsian earning in order to set you up for retirement.
...^exceptionally good advice...
...majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd...
what kind of certificate are we talking about here - do you mean something like a DELTA?
but , yes, that's a reasonable idea although out in Cambodia the only things recognised seem to be the Celta or degree in any subject.
I do actually have a Celta, which is fine for out here.
The real crux of the issue is the grey depressing lifestyle of the UK , and let's face it - one year of working at Macdonalds is unlikely to generate any savings whatsoever.
would you go back yourself?
You can get an Advanced Dip. TESOL from somewhere like the L.T.T.C. with your experience, or maybe even get on a M.A.Originally Posted by matilda
but , yes, that's a reasonable idea although out in Cambodia the only things recognised seem to be the Celta or degree in any subject.
The conundrum of the unqualified, penniless S.E.Asian TEFLer.The real crux of the issue is the grey depressing lifestyle of the UK , and let's face it - one year of working at Macdonalds is unlikely to generate any savings whatsoever.
Can you not use your CELTA to work in language centres in the UK?
If I was 40, unqualified and penniless, I would certainly put some hard work into changing that situation.would you go back yourself?
After all, it's going to be better than being 60, unqualified and penniless... or 70, unqual.....
Go back, work hard, save some cash, and get a qual that will mean bigger bucks out here.
Though being unqualified and penniless at 40, likely means that you haven't got it in you.
Enjoy those pension years mate.
its this simple OP, its your life, what do you want! dont ask anyone else.
just trying to see what other people think really, as sometimes that helps.
I'm 50/50 on the issue right now, but hard to find people to discuss it with (in the real world) as everyone seems to have their own agenda.
so hopefully can bash out a few ideas on the forum.
---Update---
Celta without degree is useless back in UK - can only get summer school work (I have tried this in the past)
you are correct here, and I am not ashamed to admit it.Though being unqualified and penniless at 40, likely means that you haven't got it in you.
My college days are past - no way I could sit down and complete a 3 or 4 year degree. (and the funding would be a hard issue to deal with anyway)
So the conundrum remains.
stay or go?
...you've already received good advice: your reluctance to go is clear...if you view a year (or several years) at McDonald's as your only choice, then stay where you are and attempt to put some money away for your sunset years...or at least keep enough cash on hand for a bottle of whisky and a shotgun...
thats no problem
I think you have answered your own question here tbfThe idea of living in the UK again sounds like a nightmare, but the flat proposal is tempting
dont stop what you enjoy for sort of materialistic gain, because the novelty of the flat will wear off.
...although indoor plumbing can be addictive...
How come you can't sell it for 15 years? If you are really being given ownership, and you are happy where you are, then I would probably carry on as you are, safe in the knowledge that you have the nest egg of a flat to sell in the future.
---Update---
And if renting is only difficult because of the logistics, I'm sure you could contact an agent, making them an offer they can't refuse (they rent it out and maintain the property, they keep a large %???)... I'm not sure if that would work, but might be worth a try
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