Job Discussion Forums

[stillp800]

Hi Everyone!
I'm and American guy and I've done a year-long student exchange in Juiz de Fora, MG and I speak Portuguese fluently. What I would like to do is take a year off before college and go teach English in Brazil, ideally for a year. Does having TEFL certification or a bachelor's matter (Will they hire me without these things?)? Can I get a job before I head down there? Under the best circumstances, I'd like to get a work visa, but from what I've heard, this doesn't seem likely. So is six months the maximum time that you can stay on a tourist visa, and if you overstay are there serious consequences? I don't really want to mess up my "relationship with Brazil" so that it would affect my getting a visa to visit in the future. When I go there I'll be staying with my boyfriend in Sao Paulo (so it's not like I can just get married...) so that's where I'd like to get a job. I'll also be going to bartending school so maybe I can get a second job as well. Any answers, advice, or experiences that anyone's had would be welcome! Conversely, if anyone needs info on Brazil (eg, culture) or Portuguese language I can probably help you out (I don't want to feel like I'm taking without giving in return!)

Thanks!

Paul

[amanda22]

Tudo bom? Look into the program IICA. I am planning on doing it next year and there are some people in this forum who have done it. The website is: http://www.mgt.com.br/icbeu/

Look at the Trainees Reportings and Trainees Handbook. You teach English(and learn to teach it) for a year, working legally on a cultural visa and earn some money also. I think it's possible to arrange your own placement, seeing as how you already have a city in mind.

I'm not sure what your plans are for the future, but a great way to spend time in Brazil is going to college there. You said you speak Portuguese so you could always go down on a tourist visa and take the vestibular(entrance exam) to a private or federal university. (Private universities are easier to get into since you pay for them). I did this and my student visa was valid for as long as I was attending college there. You can't legally work, but you can always teach english on the side at a school or do private lessons.

Hope this helps a little bit.
Amanda