Like to meet expat teachers (K-12 or University)

jlaborda wrote:

Hi, I'm an American looking to meet long-term expat teachers who have been working in Vietnam for some time.  I am currently a professor of biology at a Florida college.  I have been spending my summers in Vietnam since 2008 and am thinking of moving there permanently.  I am 48 and thus have questions about willingness of international schools to hire long-term, health care (including preventative), taxes, retirement, etc...  I would love to chat some on these issues as well as anything else you would like to talk about.  Hope to hear from someone soon.  Jeff

I'm a teacher, but not in your class (pun intended)!

With your qualifications you should be able to land a job at one of the better schools, such as RMIT.  You may be able to get on at The British Counsel, as well.  Americans are last on their preference list (just below dogs that can mimic words), but with your experience you could probably get in.

I can't give an honest answer about health care, or retirement benefits.  I plan to teach until I drop anyway!

Thanks for the thoughts/ideas.  I don't know about working till you drop...have you ever been in a class with an 80 year old as your teacher...?   I am hoping to secure appointments with some of the schools like RMIT while there this summer to pick their brain on employee philosophy, etc...  I had never thought about the British Counsel...I'll check that out.  How long have you been living in VN?  Do you think you'll look to stay there long term?

Dr. Robert Irle was my sociology professor during my freshman year in college.  I think he was pushing 80.

What a character!  He had a flamboyant personality, spoke his mind (even when he should not have)and was a graduate of Yale. I know he graduated from there because there wasn't a class that went by that he didn't mention it at least once.  I always wanted to wear a Harvard sweatshirt to class, but was afraid he'd give me a bad grade if I did. 

He gave me a D in that class and I was bitter for a few decades, because I never wore the sweatshirt!  I'm joking, but I was mad at the time.  In retrospect, I know I earned what I received, but his class was tough for an introductory course.  I took it again as a sophomore and earned an A+, with a different instructor.  I told her I was repeating and when I mentioned his name she just rolled her eyes.  One too many staff meetings I assume.

I've been here 3 years and plan on staying a while longer.  One of my friends is 67 and has just retired from teaching to start a business.  I figure I'll be lucky to make it to that age.  I'm surprised I've made it this long, actually.  I was voted "Most Likely to be Killed by Friendly Fire." during my stay in the Army, but have survived somehow!

College teaching is a hoot.  I do enjoy working with all the flamboyant personalities that one finds there.  Some say that I am one of those....but I think I am very normal.   I think you said you've been in VN for three years now....that's a pretty good length of time.  I also noted that you are close to my age.  I'm 48 now.  How many years have you been working as an expat, and what kind of work are you doing there?  Your 67 year old friend - is he in VN or some other country?  I'll be in country this coming July-August (about 5 weeks)...will likely rent an apartment for that time.  Last year I rented in D4.  I have friends there in HCMC and also south in the Tan An area.  TTYL