THAILAND
Country Overview:
"Thailand, a captivating blend of vibrant cities, tranquil villages, pristine beaches, and idyllic islands, holds a special place in my heart."
Every time I return to Thailand, I'm reminded of its irresistible allure. The warmth of the Thai people, the seamless blend of modern amenities and ancient traditions, and the sheer diversity of experiences on offer make it a truly remarkable destination. From the bustling energy of Bangkok to the serene beauty of Chiang Mai, and the sun-kissed shores of Phuket to the tranquil islands of Koh Phi Phi, Thailand has something to captivate every traveler. And let's not forget the food – a symphony of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds and leaves a lasting impression. Despite the challenges it has faced, Thailand remains a must-visit country, beckoning me back time and time again.
*Currently living in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai / Bangkok / Ayutthaya / Pattaya / Chiang Rai / Krabi / Phuket / Koh Tao
I quarantined in Bangkok in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read more about that experience here.
Job Hunting in Singapore
Looking for a job in Singapore is proving to be more of a challenge than I had thought. I knew that COVID would play a factor, but the other issue is that many companies are only looking to hire Singaporeans or Permanent Residents. I get that hiring a foreigner right now is tricky, but it’s super discouraging when I read the job description, get excited about the opportunity, and then at the very end, I don’t qualify because I’m a foreigner.
The other thing, and maybe I’m just dumb, is many job applications will ask “Are you eligible to work in Singapore?” Technically, yes but do I currently have a work visa? No. So what does that question mean? Also, if I choose “no”, it’s hard not to think that my application immediately gets sent to the trash because some algorithm determines that a “no” answer isn’t a candidate worth pursuing.
The other tricky workaround is that when I click “apply”, for over half the jobs, I’m taken to a Singapore government website in which I’m required to enter my SingPass ID number, which is something that foreigners/non-permanent residents don’t have, so I can’t apply for the job and the company doesn’t need to look bad by writing “Singaporeans only”. Well played.
Job hunting is tough, especially when you factor in COVID, closed borders, and HR teams that seemingly don’t want to have to file paperwork to hire a foreigner. I’ll continue searching and filtering through jobs that I qualify for, though it’s certainly not a process I enjoy.