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dicey eye

Mandalay Musings

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dicey eye

Mandalay Musings

Adventures at Mandalay Universities

Stopped by 2 universities to hand the powers-that-be my CV.

First one did not allow me on the grounds. Security guards surrounded me and had me wait (actually detained, could not exit; one surly guard with attitude wearing a “longyi†marched back and forth in front of me to make sure I didn’t try to escape) for 15 minutes until someone that spoke a little English came to read me the Riot Act.

Was informed that I needed a formal letter from my embassy to set foot on the campus. Asked politely if I could leave a CV.

Absolutely not! All hiring was done at the Ministry of Education in the capital. Was forbidden to leave my CV without a letter from the ambassador. Martinet bozo.

Inquired if all the universities in Mandalay had the same policy. Was told that was the ministry’s rule and it was law of the land. Repeated the same 3 lines, 3 times; shades of “The Manchurian Candidateâ€.

Just bit my tongue and smiled; what else could I do? Was outnumbered and out gunned. Once a totalitarian regime, always a totalitarian regime crossed my mind. Never imagined dropping off a CV could be viewed as a kind of terrorist gesture.

Discouraged but not out.

Decided to try another university about 4 miles away.

Guards were polite, escorted to the admin office, secretary offered a cup tea. Let me update and retype my CV on her computer. Saved the revision on her screen and she then gave the private email addresses of all the jeffes. What difference 4 miles makes: from militaristic to genteel.

Might surmise that Myanmar is going through growing pains. Parts still cling to the old guard autocratic ways - while other parts are becoming quite urbane.

Bet those two sensibilities are gonna clash sometime.

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Parrothead

Did you pee-pee on yourself when your little incident happened at the first school? 

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dicey eye

Nope. Just figured I didn't wanna teach there, not an environment conducive to quality education.

Had been through similar situations 5 yrs ago, so wasn't that shocked - more bemused. You should have seen the look on their faces when I tired to hand them my USB flash drive with my CV - they looked like it was a mini IED.

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phuketrichard

i am confused, after less than 2 weeks ur already leaving the job?

 

wow , that was quick

 

Try the American HS in Yangon.

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Parrothead

He may just be exploring his options. It seems as though they pay more than here in Cambodia. But, it seems some of the schools have more shit to deal with than in Thailand. 

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dicey eye

I am definitely NOT leaving my job!! Just my schedule is so light I'm bored so I've looking for extra work at other schools. One university supplies housing free for foreigners, then I could pocket the $600 per month that the school I'm at allots for housing. I'm certainly not contemplating quitting - just looking for more extra work.

And as for Yangon, me no like it there, turned down a job at another school that paid $800 more cause I'm not a fan of Yangon.

Edited by dicey eye

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phuketrichard

got ya;

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Parrothead

 

 


turned down a job at another school that paid $800 more cause I'm not a fan of Yangon

 

Pissed off ex- lives there? :D :D

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dicey eye

The two reasons I'm not a fan of Yangon are: 1. motorcycles are banned there which makes getting around a royal pain. In Mandalay I just hope on my Chinese knock-off moto and off I go. Second reason kinda what Cebu mentioned, fear of former common law wife - girl friend, though was told she is now residing in a western country. Just don't wanna take a chance and accidentally bump into her.

Did throw caution to the wind when I stayed 2 nights in Yangon before heading to Mandalay. Took Brian out and about to all the freelancer places to give him an ides of the night-life options, but fortunately did not see her.

Edited by dicey eye

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dicey eye

Compare work hours in Battambang to work hours in Mandalay:

Battambang - 40 hrs per week at international school - 7 hours per week at university equals 49 work hours per week.

Mandalay - 15 classroom hours per week at international school. Shooting for 6 hours per week at university equals 21 work hours per week.

Even without university classes I make well over double the salary in Mandalay.

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