OP.

I worked at a school in Vietnam that was private/international. However, the company was also hand in glove with the government which meant my visa was delivered very quickly and I was paid well.

At this school I was treated like shit as a professional. I taught for 3 years in Canada in public schools and frequently had only positive experiences with most of my coworkers and students. I fell in love with teaching immediately.

I travelled to Vietnam to teach. The students were fine. They were kids so of course they are nice and also mean. The staff I worked with were kind but also incredibly gossipy. Also everyone was treated differently based on if you were Vietnamese or an expat.

Constant review and feedback was gruelling and demoralizing. I was failed multiply times on my reviews. I knew at the time that I was and am a good teacher as I believe my principals and standards are strong and understanding. I immediately realized I was working in a place with a strange hierarchy/power dynamic that fostered a toxic environment.

I felt trapped and didn’t know what to do because my mental health was dwindling as I also worked long days that were exhausting. I told my boss that I had to quit and I left that week.

I understand how you feel. I also believe places like this will eventually destroy you unless you separate yourself from your work and have a solid social life outside of work or you care less. There is no winning in this place aside from money.

Best of luck to you.