So while I was in Laos, I talked to many students there and asked them what they were going to do after graduation. They didn't really know. I asked them what they are learning in school and they weren't very enthusiastic. Seems like they just go to hang out. Most of the rich kids show up late and just leave anyways, pretending to go to school. In the end, the grades are just given to those with the most amount of money, so learning doesn't really matter. I was told that for someone to get a job at a bank, they had to actually pay to get that job, then only after about 3 months they would start to make some money. This is only if you know someone and your family is well connected. Don't matter how smart you are, you will not get the job. Also, working at a bank was considered the ideal or prestigious of jobs in Laos, not sure why. To get a university education costs a lot of money to the average person in Laos and afterwards, you can't even get a decent job so why bother even going? They told me that most of the rich kids go cause their parents pay and its just for show, they don't exactly do anything with their degree's after, just something for their parents to brag to others about. I don't mean to always talk about negative things about Laos but these are the things the locals tell me about which I just want to share. Students with no hope, english teachers who don't speak english, jobs that you have to pay to work at. Anyone else think that there is something wrong with this picture? :o

You need good connection to have a good education and job in Laos. If your parents are rice farmers, or selling vegetables at a local market, employers don't really take you seriously.

The public also don't take you seriously and they look down on you because you're poor. Only people in your village will associate with you because they know you.

Sad but true. I went to school in Laos untill high school.

In America to get a really good paying jobs most of the time you need education and connection. Anybody can get $10 an hour assembly jobs, but $80k-$100k a year jobs sometime "Its not what you know it's who you know."

Same as anywhere else in the world. Money talk if you're rich, well connected you can get into good school, and get a good jobs. Harvard, Yale University for example is tuition is about $100,000 a year. So not everybody can attend.