Working or Living overseas

I have been looking into teaching esl overseas.  Has anyone had any experience living out of the country with our crummy disease.  I have been looking at Thailand, Japan, and China

My husband used to live in Singapore and we recently traveled there and Phuket, Thailand. I felt GREAT the whole time I was there! The food was very healthy for my gut. There are also public bathrooms everywhere in Singapore and a friend from Japan said they have them along the street just like we used to have phone booths. Singapore is also known for having great medical care. You might get into some alternative medicines in China. Someone on the crohns board goes there regularly for chinese treatments. The only thing is I heard that Asia has VERY low rates of IBD so it might be tough to find a doctor savvy in that area. But if you were coming home yearly to see family you could have your check ups in the US and just have some information about your disease and what you need in a flare in a file from your doctor to give to your oversees doctor. Also, almost everyone speaks English in Asia unless you are in rural areas. You should have no problem in that department. I just hear you should carry your on TP in Japan b/c they don't always have them. Oh also a lot of people prefer the squat pots there but I never had a problem finding a seat. Most bathrooms have both.

Hi Aaron, I don't know about those countries, but I am a teacher here in the states.  I thought there was a pretty big demand for esl teachers here.  Do you want to go?  Otherwise, I bet you could find a job here.  Just wondering.  Good luck to you whatever you decide.  Bellski

I went to Australia for a couple of months and forgot my meds. I only took a fiber supplement, the entire time I was there only had one bad day,and it only lasted for about 2 hours. Felt awesome the whole time. Food was great all free range, organic animals and lots of veggies and fruit. It was great. I would not suggest you forgetting to take your meds though!!

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diagnosed with left-sided UC in 1997. (45cm)

I travel a lot but I try to stick to countries with reliably drinkable water for any extended trips. It's just too hard otherwise. My doctor recommends Pepto for protection against traveler's diarrhea. You can also refer to the CDC website for travel recommendations.

Japan is fine. I would exercise some caution for extended stays in China and Thailand. Teaching ESL, you may be in very rural areas.

(On a side note, you might want to confirm payment before you leave. It is my understanding that some ESL service only pay after the contract is completed. Should you have to leave early for a medical problem, you may not get paid.)

Hi Toobs,

My sister is going to teach esl in Tong-Yeong, Korea, she will be leaving at the end of this August. She just got her packet of information/contract from the recruiter a few days ago. Unfortunately she has been having bowel issues for the last year and is finally going to see a GI (as it has gone from a once in a while aggravation to all the time) and probably have a colonoscopy, hopefully before she goes. All we know so far about the health care over there is that she will pay half and the school pays half. She is looking into what she will end up paying if there is any co-pay's and things like that. I think everything changes with each school and offer.

I read her contract and it does state that there are only 10 paid sick days per year and you need a Dr's note if you take any more than 3 days off in a row and you can only get 3 paid days in a row off for sick days, so days 4, 5, etc. would not be paid.

It also goes over timeliness and stresses the importance of that. (I know when flaring it usually add's another 15 to 30 minutes to my morning routine). The contract states that they want to mutually settle any problems to everyone's benefit. However, it does not state anywhere in there that they would not let you go if you became sick and unable to work for a few weeks and then you would have to pay for your own plane ticket home and owe them for the plane ticket there (if you don't stay the full year they withold that from your last check, she would be paid at the end of each month). This is all just worst case of course, but I think it's good to know what she is potentially up against.

All that said, there appears to be some negotiating that can happen w/these contracts.

If I get more info, I will let you know. I think this is a great opportunity and hope it all works out wonderful for you!

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Beth, 32 ~ small flare - hoping caused by aspirin - hydrocortisone e's

Oh and remember that just because Singapore speaks English as a primary language does not mean they do not have ESL. My husband went to SAS the American School and they still had ESL there even! Lots of people move there that don't speak English.