Interview with a teacher in Brunei

The majority of teachers who are accepted to work in Brunei live in and around its two main towns - Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) and Kuala Belait (KB). A small number of teachers live and work in Temburong. Each of these areas has its own charm: BSB is the capital, with large houses and good international schools, whilst KB has a large expatriate population and is within easy reach of the Malaysian town of Miri. Temburong is much more remote, and teaching here provides a truly unique experience of living in pristine jungle. Fleur Hanekon is a Temburong teacher and was interviewed about her daily life. She has taught in Brunei for two years as an English teacher in a secondary school.

"I was looking for a real change in the way of life I was used to. I chose Temburong for that reason. I just love it here. It's just so pleasant and safe. I can relax in my home with all the doors and windows open and be completely safe," she says.

From her comfortable four-bedroom home, Fleur reflects on her time in Temburong. "I have to reiterate that it is an incredibly easy place to live. I asked to be placed in a rural area instead of a city. I wanted to be isolated so that my experience would be real, I didn't want a watered-down cultural experience, I wanted to be educated."

"It's also a very healthy lifestyle. I live on tropical fruits, and there is access to fantastic seafood. There's less dairy and bread in my diet, and a lot more rice. But it's all part of the experience."

Brunei's location is also a positive in Fleur's books: "The financial freedom that CfBT's package offers frees my income for holidays. I've managed to visit Vietnam, Malaysia and Australia. Plus, I have more trips in the pipeline. Locally, there is fantastic diving among warships, which is something I get out and do most weekends. Also, the capital of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, is a 45 minute boat trip away."

Fleur is a 45-year-old single female, and has taught in London, South Africa, and Turkey. She is one of six CfBT English teachers working at Sultan Hassan High School. Fleur is responsible for improving the English of 17 to 19-year-old Brunei teenagers, and her classroom sizes range from 16 to 28. In her two years, with a third year underway, it is clear she has faced little challenges within the classroom: "It's easier in terms of classroom management to what I have been used to. These students have a real sense of family. They hold a lot of responsibility within their family, which means they have a great respect for adults."

"They're not highly motivated, but they don't give up. They shrug their shoulders and carry on. Life is less competitive in Brunei. They are incredibly quiet, and no-one speaks out. But as you peel back the layers, they are the most lovely kids," she says.

As a CfBT teacher, Fleur says she has been very well looked after by the organisation: "They are very professional, and I am in regular contact with them. I have a welfare nurse who visits me every month. They are easily contactable if I were to have any problems," she says.

For prospective teachers, Fleur offers the following advice: "Be very clear about why you are coming. Be well-prepared, read, and listen. This is what I did, and I have never regretted my decision," she says.