Southeast Asia Work and Study
Working in South East Asia is possible yet it is often difficult to obtain long-stay visas and work permits if you come from a country outside of the region. There is however a great need for English language instructors in the region, and native English speaking teachers will find it easy to get long-term positions.
Most schools can secure work permits and long-stay visas for teachers after their arrival in the country, but obtaining the correct paperwork can be a lengthy process that often involves travel to a neighboring country for a temporary work visa before a work permit can be processed. For other professions, local employers prefer to hire less costly natives, making job options for foreigners limited.
Obtaining the correct paperwork to study in South East Asia is straightforward, with students able to apply for one-year study visas in their home countries once they have been offered a place at one of the region's educational institutes. Many of the region's countries present considerable language difficulties for foreigners, with Asian languages being difficult for non-natives to master. Singapore is the exception, where English is a recognized official language.
Part-time work possibilities include volunteer work, with a host of NGOs accepting volunteers in fields such as refugee protection, education and wildlife conservation, as well as casual English teaching work. Finding bar and restaurant work is difficult due to work permit restrictions and the abundance of locals willing to work for less.
Teaching English is one of the easiest professions to get into in South East Asia, with some schools requiring no formal qualifications, just that you are a native English speaker. Other educational institutes only accept candidates that have a TOEFL or other formal teaching certificate.
Popular South East Asian countries in which to study include Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, with top universities in these nations offering a range of degree, master and language programs, typically at half the costs of similar courses in Europe or the US. Getting a place is easy, with most institutes accepting international applications and assisting with study visas. Studying in Cambodia, Laos and Burma (Myanmar) is less feasible unless you want to enroll for language instruction.
