The short answer: I was selected as a U.S Department of State English Language Fellow. I was sent to south-central Vietnam to train English teachers, speak to tourism bureaus, government officials, etc.
The other part of my project was to enhance the learning of undergraduate students at my host university.
I always imagined living in another country, but I had no country in mind, nor was I really pursuing the dream. Moving abroad was a third or fourth tier goal of mine; or better yet, not a true goal at all.
As a TESOL instructor (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), I always worked with English language learning (ELL) students at either the high school or adult level. So, I knew was qualified to teach abroad, but had no thoughts of where or when that would occur. Although the pathway may not be smooth, be persistant until the stars align for you.
Attend Teaching Conferences
For years, I would attend education conferences and hear about teachers that taught abroad after university, or young Fulbright returnees speaking of their time as a Fulbright Teaching Assistant teaching overseas. But again, in my mind, these programs were for new teachers and recent college graduates.
October 2019, I was a presenter at my state TESOL conference, I stopped at a display table that was seeking teachers for overseas work. As I stopped to get a brochure a young manworking at the booth named Kyle asked me what I did in my profession. I explained what I did, and he said, you are the perfect candidate to become an English Language Fellow. He requested that I complete the English Language Fellow application, although I agreed, I was rolling my eyes as I walked away from the table.
Although I hesitantly completed the application before the deadline, I had convinced myself it was a waste of time and I though this program was not for this 50+ year old Black female teacher.
More importantly, both of my kids were graduating university that year and getting them through the process was the main thing on my plate.
Also, as I thought about it, I recall reading about this program, which didn’t seem like it was for me. I really thought I was applying in vain.
Who Me? Selected as an English Language Fellow
Several weeks after submitting my application, one day while checking my email, to my surprised, the Regional English Language Officer (RELO) at the U.S. Embassy was requesting an interview, and I soon afterwards I was fully accepted into the English Language Fellow program for ten-month assignment overseas.
Now looking back, what I thought would be a 10-month job, has completely altered the course of my life.
So, January 2020, I was thrilled to find out I was chosen to teach in the Philippines. Leaving in August, I knew I had 6 months to prepare myself for the big move to teach.
Covid19 Created an Online Teaching Opportunity
By February, I knew something was happening this Covid19 was rampantly going across the USA. And soon I was notified that the English Language Fellow Program was put on hold.
Everyone that was already teaching abroad as a Fellow would be returned home, which meant the Fellows of 2019 only had completed 6 months of their fellowship before the pandemic sent them all back to their home base.
Online Teaching Overseas to the Rescue
As my regular teaching job turned remote, so did my Fellowship in the Philippines. I had no idea how this was going to work out, but I turned out teaching Filipino university students online & training teachers was actually a rewarding experience.
And it was perfect timing as I could teach remotely online in the evenings in USA, (which was morning in the Philippines). Since no one knew the outcome of the pandemic, everyone was put back in the pool of candidates to be chosen
The Global Pandemic Subsiding (A little)
End of April 2022, the English Language Fellow program slowly began gaining traction, starting up again in countries where the Covid19 virus was low, so I was switch from Philippines to Vietnam. I had about 3 months to prepare my mind that this is really happening. I am moving to Vietnam.
Although the local university would be my host, the secondary duties would be to train Vietnamese English teachers in skills, methodologies and strategies that would enhance their English teaching.
Finally Arriving in Small Town Vietnam
Two of the best thngs about living in Vietnam: one, my daughter moved here to Vietnam with me and two, is the location I was assigned to. It is a coastal town, with beautiful clean beaches. My home is right smack in the alley of a Vietnamese community and my neighbors; at first a bit curious, but always helpful and kind.
Conversely, you will always be seen as an outsider in Vietnam, not always in a negative way, but coming from the melting pot of USA, it was different. Aside from language challenges, sometimes there are massive levels of bureaucracy and red tape, that mostly are behind the scenes.
However, if you can manage those things, and been teaching for at least 5 years; have a master’s degree, are flexible and have an open mind, by all means, take the leap as I did and apply to become an English Language Fellow.
To learn more about how to become an U.S. Department of State English Language Fellow, check out my blog post: How to Become an English Language Fellow.
I was Not Prepared for Living in Vietnam
Now looking back 2 years later
I found the most surprising (cultural) things about living in this Vietnamese town.
The Stares, Glares, Pointing, Picture Taking Everywhere I Went.
And here’s why…there are very few foreigners walking around and living in Quy Nhon. And for a Black woman to be living here was pure fascination to the Vietnamese residents, old and young, men, women, and babies, it did not matter.
Schooling was Different from the Western Model
On my first day of classes at the university, students were staring in my classroom windows while I was teaching,
I was shocked, that these 20 year olds were shocked!
I found out later, that Vietnamese students were used to a very teacher-centered type of schooling; where the teachers teach, writing on the board and students pay attention (or not) and take notes to memorize for the test.
My first year, I always wondered why the number of students on the roster never matched my actual headcount. But, at the end of my first term, my students revealed that other students were sneaking in my class to have access to the African American teacher.
My teaching style was different, as I was really focused on being student centered, not only teaching my lesson, but making sure they received life skills, soft skills, 21st century skills, all while learning about me and my own culture.
I was able to modify the curriculum, so I embedded critical thinking and open-ended questions in all my lessons.
I made sure my undergraduate students who wanted to become future English teachers, had plenty of varying teaching methods, games, lessons, and project-based activities to engage and inspire their future students.
Western Products are Hard to Come By
Bring your own hair care products. I struggled to find certain spices and food items. But in the long run, I was okay.
I was not doing much cooking in Vietnam. Especially when my neighbors were cooking at their stalls for breakfast, lunch and dinner and selling for a few bucks.
But deodorant, body lotion or your favorite toothpaste may be hard to find. So, if you have a favorite brand, or sensitive skin.
And by the way, yes — The body lotions in the markets have whitening agents to lighten your skin!!
Bring Your Own Clothes and Shoes from your Home Country
If you wear over juniors size 7 or mens XL — bring your own clothing – undergarments included. If your shoe size is over a size 7 or 8 bring your shoes also.
Wearing plus size or XL or above men or women, bring your casual and dress clothing. Even if they happen to be your size, trust me, the Vietnamese styles may not tickle your fancy.
Most People Do Not Speak English
I think over the past two years, the young people in Vietnam are working hard to improve their English.
However, if you are going to a small Vietnamese town, make sure to have your Google Translator updated and ready to get to work.
The translator on my cell phone has been a lifesaver for me inside and outside the classroom..
There are Two Seasons Hot & Hotter
Dry Season
Keep in mind, you will be hot. Hopefully, your classroom has a fan that will be helpful as long as the electricity is working that day.
Rainy Season
Although it is still hot, the rainy season will bring torrential rain with local flooding. Then the rain stops suddenly and the streets are dry in 30 minutes, because of the heat.
My first semester I did not prepare properly for the heavy rain. I did not think about weatherproofing my backpack therefore, my laptop got a little wet. So, make sure you have a waterproof laptop cover and backpack raincoat to at least keep the wetness away.
Do Not Expect High Tech
Cell phones are everywhere. And students use their data phones for everything; including lessons in school, homework, Zoom or Google Meets, etc. Many times cell phones are shared with family members. So, I always kept that in mind, when giving time limits on projects and homework.
Big City Vietnam vastly Different from Small Town Vietnam
Although the big cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh have more western products and more variety. I would not change my small town Vietnamese experience for the world.
With its fresh ocean breeze, small mom and pop shops and food stalls, the beach life. Also, genuinely nice neighbors, less traffic, less motorbikes and cars, less pollution all around.
Although, I was not prepared for these cultural hiccups. I soon assimilated and had a life-changing experience in Vietnam.
Getting Acclaimated to the Vietnamese Dong
500,000 is a little over $20 just blew my mind for months. But I had to get the money conversion right in order not to be ripped off…and eventually I did.
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