Hong Kong: Live Abroad Without Spending a Dime

27-Oct-2010

I like this.

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An eternal optimist, Liu-Yue built two social enterprises to help make the world a better place. Liu-Yue co-founded Oxstones Investment Club a searchable content platform and business tools for knowledge sharing and financial education. Oxstones.com also provides investors with direct access to U.S. commercial real estate opportunities and other alternative investments. In addition, Liu-Yue also co-founded Cute Brands a cause-oriented character brand management and brand licensing company that creates social awareness on global issues and societal challenges through character creations. Prior to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Liu-Yue worked as an Executive Associate at M&T Bank in the Structured Real Estate Finance Group where he worked with senior management on multiple bank-wide risk management projects. He also had a dual role as a commercial banker advising UHNWIs and family offices on investments, credit, and banking needs while focused on residential CRE, infrastructure development, and affordable housing projects. Prior to M&T, he held a number of positions in Latin American equities and bonds investment groups at SBC Warburg Dillon Read (Swiss Bank), OFFITBANK (the wealth management division of Wachovia Bank), and in small cap equities at Steinberg Priest Capital Management (family office). Liu-Yue has an MBA specializing in investment management and strategy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Stern School of Business at NYU. He also completed graduate studies in international management at the University of Oxford, Trinity College.







By Sara Beth Baxley, International Living

It’s true. Here I am, barely out of the proverbial nest and already taking vacations most people would only dream of. After graduating university, I began teaching English in a Hong Kong kindergarten during the week to fund my adventures. I just returned from a vacation to Malaysia, three days after a weekend jaunt to Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok.

Whenever anyone back home tells me they would like to travel like this for free, I simply ask—”what’s holding you back?” I’m snorkeling with sharks in turquoise water, exploring wild jungle and ancient rainforests on a rented motor scooter. That may not be to everyone’s tastes…but you can do whatever you like over here.

Hong Kong

Moving away from everything you know to a place you have probably never been is a scary, once-in-a-lifetime roller coaster ride. It can also be the best decision you ever make.

Teaching English abroad is the perfect “trial run” to experience life as an expat. I am very fortunate to have plenty of disposable income, while my friends back home are struggling in entry level positions in a floundering economy.

I had no teaching experience, so I was offered a basic package given to first-year teachers—a flight from home to Hong Kong, health insurance, a furnished apartment provided in the heart of the city, a stress-free job singing with young Chinese children, and many weeks of paid vacations to travel some of the world’s most exotic corners. It’s a 12-month contract, no strings attached.

This is the most fun money you will make. My background is in Spanish and business, not education, but even I am able to teach English! If you can read this, you have a very valuable gift that people are willing to pay to learn. Do you need to speak the language of the country you are studying in? Absolutely not! The subject you teach is so easy, you dream in it!

I guarantee that you will be amazed by the different walks of life international English teachers hail from. All kinds of people feel the tug to leave their old lives for a while and enjoy the freedom teaching brings!

Whether you are like me, wandering this awesome Earth with eyes wide open, or looking to retire without touching your nest egg while having your life’s grand adventure, you will find the answer by teaching abroad.

Editor’s note: “TEFL” can be a great way to cover some living costs when you spend time abroad (and Hong Kong is one of the best-paid places to teach English).



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