Being An Expat In Cambodia And Work As A Diving Instructor

Cambodia is an incredible place. You should not miss it if you ever get the chance to visit that part of the continent. Asia has great places, but Cambodia shines for its natural beauty. It is a very popular destination when it comes to tourism. That means that you will find a lot of services related to that industry. And a lot of foreigners both visiting and making a living there.

Diving is very much the main attraction in Cambodia. You can find some of the greatest spots for scuba diving in the world there. Also, a good amount of schools to learn to do it from scratch there. This creates an opportunity for ex-pats looking to work in Cambodia, given they have the skills. Let’s dive in.

Cambodia under tourism exposure

As we mentioned above Cambodia is big on tourism. This comes as no surprise because of its beauty and location. Those aren’t the only factors though.

Cambodia is very safe. One of the safest spots in the region. They work hard to keep tourism safe. They know that it is one of their main sources of income.

It is also a good spot to visit at any time of the year. That makes it very enticing for people planning a trip. It offers flexibility to design your vacation. There are certain spots that are not very safe to visit, especially at night. Most of the country is fine in this regard though, so no worries.

Because of their tourist-centered culture, you will have no trouble finding people from all over the world. Language should not be too much of a barrier either. It is a great place for an ex-pat to explore and maybe try to find work in their tourist industry.

Let’s get a bit more specific and focus on the diving scene. If it is a thriving one, and what you can expect from it.

Diving in Cambodia

There are a lot of great places in the world to practice diving. We would be hard-pressed to state which one is the best. Cambodia is for sure one of them. There are a lot of great locations to practice here. The water, tides, and general geography all help towards this. You can even find plenty of underwater caves.

You will have a good deal to choose from here. There is something for every level of expertise. If you are a novice there are great spots to do this sport for the first time. You can also find many more difficult options if you are experienced.

This has a wonderful consequence. There is a thriving diver’s community in Cambodia, and diving schools always have customers.

That will give you a great opportunity to find work if that is what you are looking for a job.

Since you will be dealing mostly with tourists, you won’t have many roadblocks if you don’t know the local language, either. It is always good to have at least some basic knowledge of local language and customs, though. Especially if you are not familiar with Buddhist culture at all. It is very different from what you may be used to.

Most of the spots to dive are located in the south of Cambodia :

Preah Sihanouk

Koh Rong

Koh Rong Samloem

How to find job as a diving instructor and work in Cambodia

If you are seeking a job you will find it in Cambodia. If you are an expert diver, that is. There are a few options to consider. Let’s go over them in a bit of detail to see what might best suit your wants and needs. You can find more tips on how to find a job in Cambodia article of Movetoasia.com.

Work independently as a Freelancer

This is a risky option. If you already know the place and the locals you will find that this is the option that gives you the greatest amount of flexibility. You can charge what you want. Work on the location that you feel like working on and even set your own hours. All of these things are great, but they come at a price.

That price is that you are not guaranteed to get customers. Cost of living in Cambodia is not too high. You could make a living with little. But that will depend on what you consider acceptable. If you are just looking to experience the beauty of this country and cover some of the costs of your adventure by working this option is for you. Be prepared to spend little. Also, it might be a good idea to arrive in the country with a certain amount of savings. If you manage to establish yourself in this manner the potential rewards are excellent.

Backpacking Cambodia is an experience of a lifetime as you get so see a country in which modernization crushes with the undeveloped third world, natural beauties, still hidden in the tropical jungles and remnants of ancient past still waiting to be discovered.

Try to get hired by a local school

This option is a bit less risky. You could even attempt to be hired before you get there. If you can establish contact with a few schools before getting on your plane you will gain much. Maybe you do not get hired right away. But you could establish a relationship that will facilitate that. You will also get to know the landscape very well. Those people will, of course, be looking for excellency. That is the case with any reputable establishment. If your credentials and skills are good you should not hesitate to apply.

Working with an established school would give you long term security. You would be guaranteed to get work and paychecks on a regular basis.

It could also be a jumping-off point for you to branch out on your own. You could get to know the locations and regular clients to eventually go off by yourself.

Having a good life as an expat in Cambodia

Expats can usually find work in a country that has tourism as a main source of income for their economy. This is the case in Cambodia, and if you are a skilled diver this place is for you. You will probably find good opportunities there if you are consistent and patient. You may be able to get a head start even before you set foot on the place.