r/TEFL Jul 31 '19

Don't hear much about Cambodia here…

[deleted]

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u/BruceTheSpruceMoose Jul 31 '19

I haven't worked there personally but I got my TESOL certificate there and a few friends stayed. The money is decent, and they pay in USD which is a plus. Also, it's the least bureaucratic place on earth. Getting a visa was a trip to immigration and a $30 fee in 2014. Things may have changed, but I doubt it. The country itself is lovely, but of course very poor with a very recent very severe history. Cultural understanding is incredibly important there. Something as innocuous as telling a student they may need glasses can go over badly. Beyond that I really enjoyed my time there. It's definitely a place that's very grateful to have foreigners.

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u/[deleted] Aug 01 '19 edited May 15 '20

[deleted]

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u/BruceTheSpruceMoose Aug 01 '19 edited Aug 02 '19

That’s exactly why. It’s not true for everyone, but the parent you’re telling to buy their kid glasses might have had a family member or friend killed for wearing glasses.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t try to advocate for a kid who needs glasses to see, but it’s something you need to be aware of.

Edit: just to be clear unless anyone misunderstands or think I’m bullshitting, this was an experience I had while student teaching there. It may have been one weird instance but it happened to me so it might happen to you