Growth and Friendship in Vietnam | Sandler Ernst S14 E1

"I was born in a house without electricity, and now I help create families through adoption. It’s like winning the lottery." 

I catch up with one of the very first guests ever on A Vietnam Podcast — my friend Sandy. The last time we recorded together, it was 2019. We were sitting in my apartment with a tiny mic that picked up every sound in the room. Now, six years later, Sandy is back in Vietnam — this time not just as a tourist, but as an adoption lawyer who’s come full circle in the most meaningful way.

This conversation felt really personal. Sandy and I both started as English teachers here in Saigon, and like many of us, we weren’t “just” that. I loved hearing about how far he’s come — from law school struggles to helping families grow through adoption. He also shares what it’s like to see Vietnam now through a very different lens.

Whether you’re a long-time expat, a first-time visitor, or someone curious about the paths people take after teaching abroad, this episode is for you.

Key Talking Points:

• How we met and recorded one of the very first podcast episodes in my apartment with a broken mic
• Why the phrase “just an English teacher” misses the full story
• Sandy’s journey from adopted child to adoption lawyer
• How law school nearly broke him — and why it was still worth it
• What keeps bringing Sandy back to Vietnam, and the changes he’s noticed over time

Chapeters and Timestamps:

• 04:00 – Our first recording memories: Bad mics, hot bedrooms, and blanket forts
• 07:00 – “Just an English teacher” and why that phrase frustrates me
• 09:00 – Sandy’s journey to come to Vietnam instead of China
• 17:00 – Law school, burnout, and becoming an adoption lawyer
• 23:30 – Why Sandy keeps coming back to Vietnam
• 31:00 – Observations as a lawyer: Safety, laws, and business freedom
• 36:00 – What Sandy misses about Vietnam when he’s away

39:30 – Cost of living vs. quality of life

This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.

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