Tell us a bit about yourself! What’s your background, and what inspired you to teach abroad?

Xin chào from Haiphong, Vietnam! My name is Evelyn, but everyone knows me as Lyn. I’m 23 years old and am from County Mayo in Ireland. I completed my BSc in Psychology last year at UCD and just like many others I wasn’t sure what to do next. I have had many different jobs and  have lived abroad first in Germany as a horse trainer and then in Switzerland for 11 months during my university exchange year. Though my teaching experience was minimal, I felt it could be a cool new string to add to my bow and a good way to boost my qualifications while I decide what to do with my degree. I love the outdoors, adventure and coffee so Vietnam was a perfect location for me!

What made Vietnam your destination of choice? Had you ever been to Asia before?

I had never been to Asia before however, for reasons unknown, I have always felt drawn to Vietnam. When this opportunity came available, it felt like the sign I needed to finally cross it off my bucket list. I previously volunteered for several weeks in Uganda and since then I have been craving the type of experience where you jump into a completely unknown culture, and immerse yourself in the lives of the locals. It is easy to become overwhelmed in this scenario, due to the immense difference in lifestyle. Going from the comforts of familiar Irish life to a predominantly buddhist and largely communist country seemed to be an extreme jump and so I was glad to have had experience of exploring a third world country before arriving. It eased the transition somewhat… That being said, my experience after 2 months is that the difference is nothing to fear but rather an exciting new experience just waiting to be embraced.

If you crave adventure and real human connections, Vietnam is the place to go. Despite language barriers, poverty and the basic challenges of everyday life you never feel alone, but rather as though you are being welcomed and embraced as a new family member. On top of that the countryside is breathtaking and the food is exquisite so there really is no reason to hesitate. If you are nervous about taking on such a big adventure I empathise because it does seem scary, but I can only promise that you won’t regret taking that leap of faith and you will soon grow to fear the thought that you will be leaving.

What type of students do you teach, and what is your typical day like as a TEFL teacher in Vietnam?

The working day is chaotic from day one, giving a real sense of what local life is all about. Some schools start as early as 7am, though the Vietnamese tend to already be up and active well before this. Some days you won’t start until 2pm so you can spend the morning enjoying a coffee and preparing your materials. Evening classes can go as late as 9 pm so there really is no set daily routine although you will settle into a weekly schedule. Occasionally you are called in to cover for another teacher, but these hours get scheduled as “on-call” and so you will never be expected to drop everything without some warning.

I teach every grade from 1 to 12 which includes students of 4 years old to 18-year-olds. The levels of English and motivation vary greatly and the class sizes can get as large as 40 students. This is very challenging and initially it will be one of the hardest parts of the job, but it is all part of the learning curve as a new teacher. Often there will be several children with special needs in the classroom. I would like to have received a little training or information about how to help these children to get the most out of the classroom setting so if I was to go back in time I might search for some more information regarding this so that I can be a bit more prepared. It sounds daunting, but your confidence and understanding will grow every day and your efforts will not go unnoticed.

The love you receive from the local students, particularly those in the more rural country schools is unmatched. Being swarmed as you arrive on the grounds feels like you have achieved celebrity status. Getting bombarded with hugs, high fives, little gifts, stickers and sweets all while the kids chant “teacher, teacher, I love you” brings a feeling of warmth that I cannot describe. During the breaks, don’t be afraid to take pictures and little videos with your classes aswell. It is a fun way to bond with them. It felt jarring at first because we would never do that at home but here social media and photo taking is hugely important and this interaction is actually encouraged! Plus they will quickly become some of your most treasured memories. Some days are exhausting but remember the other teachers are experiencing many of the same shocks and this sense of camaraderie is a huge support while navigating your new life.

What’s one thing about teaching abroad that caught you by surprise or that you weren’t fully prepared for? 

I would definitely research the structure of work life in the country you are heading to. The Vietnamese day begins at the crack of dawn, but then there is a long break between 11 and 2 where students go home for lunch and a nap before tackling the evening. This also affects opening hours of shops and restaurants so it is important to keep that in mind. Similarly, Vietnamese schools are open on Saturdays so if you want to make travel plans it is important to keep this in mind. This hasn’t stopped me from exploring the country, it just means you have to improve your time-keeping and organisation.

There are definitely other cultural differences in terms of what is expected of teachers, standards of teaching, etiquette and so much more but honestly just as with any new beginning, you just have to approach it with an open mind and be ready to make some mistakes along the way. It’s impossible for me to cover everything we have learned and experienced but I also wouldn’t want to. One of the best things about this experience is that there is so much that you don’t expect. You learn to adapt, communicate and open your eyes to new things.

In relation to culture it is important to remember that Vietnam is still considered a third world country. There is a lot of poverty and you may feel overwhelmed by certain aspects of daily life that seem hard. The resources will vary greatly between schools. The types of food that are available for some people will reflect tough conditions. Some teachers found this harder than others and depending on your previous travel experience you may equally be surprised in the opposite way, as there are plenty of built up and luxurious areas aswell. You will see both extremes and will have to accept that you are no longer living as a Westerner. Everything will be fine but try to manage your expectations of what daily life will look like and get used to expecting the unexpected. 

Have you had a chance to explore Vietnam? What are some of your favourite places you’ve visited so far?

I have fallen in love with this country. We began with orientation in Hanoi, the capital of North Vietnam. It was the perfect introduction as many locals had some English and we got acquainted with the dishes of Vietnam, how to use chopsticks, the traffic and some other new ways of living. Not only is it a beautiful city, but there is so much to do and it’s not far from our permanent location in HaiPhong so it is easy to visit on weekends. HaiPhong was a very big change of pace. Though a massive city there are almost no tourists so the locals are very intrigued to meet foreigners. Though fear not, the Vietnamese are probably the kindest and most generous people I have ever met. They will be happy to help you adjust although you will likely need the aid of Google translate! I am very fond of HaiPhong, though after a busy week in the mania of the city you will likely wish to explore further afield.

We have also visited Ninh Binh which is about 3 hours south. It is a peaceful paradise on earth, perfect for a refreshing country get away. We visited Hoi An and DaNang during the Lunar New Year holiday, both of which are as beautiful as Instagram depicts. We had a fantastic time. Transport and accommodation is very cheap when you travel as a group and the opportunities for exploration are endless whether its history, natural beauty, shopping, partying or food that takes your fancy.

There has been no location that wasn’t beautiful, enlightening or fun and everywhere is accessible through the local taxi apps (Grab) or by public transport such as bus/train. Vietnamese history is so indepth and fascinating so when you combine this with mesmerising natural views, every destination takes your breath away. I suggest getting a guide for tours of cultural sites in order to gain key insights or alternatively do your research in advance so as not to miss out on the full depth of the travelling experience.

How do you spend your free time outside of teaching?

In the evenings I am usually exhausted. Motivating teenagers and entertaining children is hard work and it is important to remember that you are coming to work a full-time job. This is NOT a holiday! That being said, there is still plenty of fun. I personally love to explore the incredible café culture to do my lesson planning and enjoy the local delicious beverages. Cà phê muối (salt coffee) and cà phê trứng (egg coffee) are quickly becoming favourites of mine that I will be heartbroken to say goodbye to once we leave Vietnam.

To stay active I joined the local gym. A few of us take part in the evening Zumba classes with the locals which is a great laugh. The yoga is also brilliant, I have never experienced anything like it at home. We decided to give the locally beloved sport Pickleball a go and on Monday evenings we rent some courts with the local teachers who are teaching us how to play. We also explore some of the local boutiques and thrift shops or the huge shopping mall. Cinemas sometimes play movies with English subtitles as well if we need to do something quiet of an evening.

There are hundreds of spas and salons with extremely skilled staff so I enjoy getting my nails done a lot more than I could afford to at home. Our school has also provided us with optional Vietnamese lessons on a Wednesday evening which is helping us to form closer bonds with the locals, though I admit my attempts to speak are mostly met with confusion!  Once you get to know some of the local teachers you may get asked to go for dinner or beers, though be warned, Vietnamese beer culture is not for the faint of heart and once you hear the chant “Một – Hai – Ba – dzô” (means “one – two – three – drink”) just know you are in for a fun night!

How have you found the cost of living compared to your expectations?

The cost of living is as expected. We have to source food for ourselves every day as there are no cooking facilities. Lunch typically costs between 30 and 40,000 Vietnamese dong which is a whopping 1.50… Not only that but the portions are large and filling but the ingredients are so fresh you can just feel the goodness seep into your body. The coffee is the best I have ever had. There are so many variations to choose from and I would recommend them all! Just keep in mind you should start by slowly sipping them… They are delicious but the first few, particularly those from smaller shops, made me fear I was having a heart attack! The coffees can vary in cost but our local morning spot is between 20,000 and 30,000 VD, which is roughly 90 cents.

The only thing to keep in mind with regards to cost is that yes everything is much much cheaper than home, but that makes it very easy to make excessive purchases, which then add up! Don’t be afraid to enjoy the benefits of local prices but don’t be surprised if you spend more than you expected once the costs add up! Before you sign up make sure you have budgeted enough to cover other expenses such as legalising your certificate, flights, your mandatory medical check on arrival and other small expenses that will arise in the first weeks. Day to day life is cheap once you have established yourself here, but getting here is pricey.

What’s a must-visit place in Vietnam that you’d recommend to future TEFL teachers?

There is nowhere I have been yet that didn’t take my breath away. The influencers and Instagram posts are all true. Vietnam really is that beautiful! I can’t choose a favourite from the top of my head so instead I will just encourage you to see as much as possible while you are here. So far we have seen Hanoi, HaiPhong, Hi An, Ninh Binh and DaNang. In the next 2 weeks I also plan to cross Sapa and Cat Ba island off my list and so I will be adding more pictures to my social media. I have only positive things to say about our travels so far. Tour guides have been extremely helpful and friendly, the scenery, food, accommodation has left nothing but a good taste in my mouth (quite literally). My only word of warning is don’t be naïve about the weather! There is warmth and sun but, especially in the North, it can get quite cold and rainy, so do bring a few layers and a raincoat for those days and thank me later!

What advice would you give to someone considering teaching in Vietnam?

I would remind you that this is not the same as a backpacking trip. If what you want is to travel around the country and spend your days relaxing, this is not the trip for you. Teaching is hard work and there will be expectations and effort required, especially in the beginning as you find your feet. However if you are the type of person who loves to get immersed into another culture, you will learn so much more from this experience than you ever could by just backpacking. It is through getting to know the locals, establishing a rapport with your community, and teaching the children while challenging yourself to adapt to a new way of life that you really learn what it is to be Vietnamese. I stand firm on the hill that this is the best way to know a country. 2 months on the job and I feel very confident making that statement. There will be many revelations and surprises but also plenty of laughs and moments that will remain on your mind and in your heart for a long time. I know for sure that Vietnam will be keeping a piece of my heart when it is time to go.