At the time of applying for my job in Vietnam, I did the usual Google search to find out all I could about my potential new employer. Being a brand new university which had not yet had its first intake of students, however, meant that the search was not that productive! I did come across this promotional video on YouTube, though, complete with computed generated images of how the university will/would/could/should(?) look!!
Rightly or wrongly, it was enough for me and I applied for, and was offered, the job. I was attracted by the prospect of being in at the start of such an exciting project. So, four months in, how has the reality measured up to the CGI?
Well, as the photos here show (and you can see more here), it isn’t finished by any means, but what is complete bears an uncanny resemblance to the graphics and there’s no reason to think that the rest of the development will be any different. We have four classroom blocks completed, though we are only using parts of them at present. The library and administration offices are finished, as is a large function room and another large room which is currently being used as the canteen. A computer lab has just opened. The areas between the buildings are nicely landscaped and the ongoing construction work has little impact on our day-to-day working lives. It is gratifying to see the pace of change. A building which was only just out of the ground when I arrived here in September is now almost complete; the scaffolding came down a few days ago and it is about ready to be painted. When finished, it will be a state-of-the-art lecture theatre.
So much for the buildings, what of the students? Well, we had our first intake of about 750 students at the beginning of October. The majority of them will be studying for a degree in Business Administration which will be taught wholly in English and so, in this first academic year, they are having English lessons every day, with the aim of reaching an IELTS score of 5.5 to enable them to begin their course. It’s proving to be a tall order in some cases!
The opening ceremony of EIU, on 3rd October, was a lavish affair, attended by all of the freshers, their families, and the teaching and administrative staff of the university, as well as representatives of our foreign investors, local politicians and business people and even the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam! We were entertained by the Vietnamese equivalents of Take That, Lady GaGa and Justin Bieber, much to the delight of the students who screamed the place down, even though it was only 10am! The whole thing was captured on film by every TV station in the country! The very lengthy ceremony was followed by a lavish lunch at the newly-opened convention centre in the new city and a good time was had by all! You can see more pictures of the event here.
Since then, it has been a steep learning curve for students and teachers alike as we each adapt to our new environment and try to meet the challenges we’ve been set. We’ve had time for fun as well, though, with our pre-Christmas show, SBA’s Got Talent and our Project Presentation Day on 13th January. For a new university, the atmosphere is very good – it feels like a nice place to work and the students tell me it’s a good place to study.
The authorities here are aiming to make EIU the top university in Vietnam. Ultimately, they want to attract high calibre students from neighbouring countries. We will have trials and tribulations along the way, but I, for one, am happy to be along for the ride!
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That's good to hear. I actually just applied for a position with Eastern International University and it is very much at the top of my list. How are things progressing?
Hi – thanks for contacting me & good luck with the application! If you have any specific questions before deciding to come here, please e-mail me: wade.andrea@eiu.edu.vn
Hi Andrea,
I am tefl teacher with experience in Thailand, U.A.E., Spain and
the U.K. and I'm hoping to find work in Vietnam.
There is a website advertising teaching positions at Eastern
International University but no email address to apply to.
Could you do me a big favour and forward a contact email address for the University and maybe a Head of English department contact so I can send my details for consideration.
It's really interesting to read your initial impressions of the place.
My email address is petermichaelevans@yahoo.com
I'd appreciate any help you can give. Many thanks,
Peter
Unfortunately I never heard back. Perhaps in the future I'll have more luck.
Dear Andrea,
Are you still teaching at EIU? I am considering applying and would love to make contact with you about the conditions/prospects of the school?
Much thanks,
Tom Bethell
tomaszbethell@gmail.com
Hi Tom,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you – I've only just seen your message. I am still at EIU, but only until September 6th! For the past year, I have been managing the general English programme. We now have 38 teachers in the department and the goal is to increase that to around 60 for the start of the new academic year.
If you have any specific questions, please contact me on wade.andrea@eiu.edu.vn
Thanks,
Andrea
FYI:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=110862
Thanks a lot, thats Great !
Hello Andrea,
I hope that you are doing fine. I am considering applying to EIU language centre and would appreciate any advice on what to expect there. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find much information online.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Omar, I haven’t worked at EIU for a long time, but I still have friends there. Feel free to e-mail me via my contact page if you have any specific questions. All the best, Andrea