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Hi:

I don't mind you using the piece I wrote about Cambodia.  Best Regards,

Mark W. Medley
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One Year in Cambodia


                                             




                   I have just spent over a year working in Cambodia as a 
teacher. I worked for several Schools including The University of Phnom, and
enjoyed my experience, although it was extremely hard to make a living
there.

                   The problem in Cambodia is that it is an exciting plave
to live in, but theres not much in the way of work. There is quite a big
"expatriate" community that usually work with Aid Agencies, who often earn
extremely high salaries.  Consequently, the cost of living in Cambodia is high. 

                   Teachers in Cambodia, usually don't work under fixed 
contracts, they often work under a term to term agreement. This means that you 
are only guaranteed 10 weeks work at a time. In Cambodia, there
are four Schools that can be considered professional. These Schools, don't
offer contracts and to be honest with you, two of them don't destinguish between 
"native" and "non-native" English Teachers. 

                   Payment is based on an hourly basis, and is in Dollars
but prices in Cambodia are actually linked to the dollar. Teachers in
Cambodia, don't get paid holidays, are subjected to instant dismissals and
have to pay for their own Visa's.

                   Given the working conditions in Cambodia, no one feels 
secure, and most teachers live on a day- to- day basis, particulary as
most of the students pay there fees in installments. Cambodia is also a
volitile place politically and economically, and has suffered greatly these last few 
months. Jobs are scarce now because of the "Elections", and although I had a 
reasonable job myself in Cambodia,. I have to work in Thailand, as most
schools enrolments are down for this term. 

                   If, you are really serious about working in Cambodia,
first accept the fact that you have no job security, and you really need to
take along enough money to see you through any problems you could encounter there.
At the mkost expect no more than three hours work a day, and few Cambodians
can afford private tuition, there is also no real In- house training 
contracts.

                   Cambodia, is a great place to live and work in if you are 
working for san Aid agency, but if you are teaching its a hard place to
survive in, but a rewarding one because of the students. 

                   Mailto: Markustm@excite.com