Job Discussion Forums

Taurus · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 54 Location: Canada

Hello. I am an experienced and qualified Canadian ESL teacher who is looking to teach and travel abroad this August/September. I have lived in Brazil and Venezuela and both experiences were awesome. My objective this time is to experience somewhere new but to also come home with some money I have sent resumes to 3 continents, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Europe is out as most good jobs require a Euopean passport. China was my first choice in Asia as when compared to the other countries, it is the least explored and has the least amount of Esl teachers but the problem there is that most decent salaries seem to be in overpopulated, polluted cities like Shanghai and Guanghou. Everyone and their grandma seems to be going to Taiwan but I hear that Taipei is a concrete, polluted city and given my qualifications, I worry that I will just be another foreign teacher lost in the crowd.

To my surprise and to add to the confusion, I am in the process of being interviewed for the opportunity to teach in Guardalajara, Mexico making an excellent monthly salary (almost the same as I get here working for a school board) at a private school. My past expereinces in South AMerica were awesome and I always said that if the salary was good, I would have to consider returning. I love the Latin culture and would be able to continue to improve my Spanish and make useful contacts for the future, but my problem is I have already been to Latin America and feel like I should go to Asia for a new experience. At the same time I think that the Asia I imagine in my head will not be the reality. I imagine waking up at sunset to Thai Chi on the side of a mountain and having a spiritual buddihist experience. In reality I will probally be in a big, crowded, concrete jungle, devoid of nature. I wonder if Asia is a great place to explore and travel through, but not so great to live.?

SOrry to blab on and on. If anyone has any insight or personal experiences to help me decide it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

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JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

In the words of a wise Thai philosopher (well, actually a b-girl at Nana Plaza) "Up to you."
Now, if it were me, I'd jump at the Guadalajara gig. Two culinary reasons come to mind. Number one, tequila is a far superoir firewater compared to mao-tai. (Does anyone know what that rocket fuel is made from?) Number two, warm tortillas folded around fresh carne asada con salsa cruda beats congealed greasy pig-slop that passes for the average Chinese street grind.

schely10 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 38 Location: Guadalajara, Mx

I'm off to Guad next month. If you decide to come pm me! Im going to be taking an EFL course at ITTO the first month and looking for a job in July. Good luck to you!

Mark-O · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 7:36 pm Post subject:

From reading your post it sounds as though you've answered your own question!

You've not mentioned Korea or Japan in your original post. Supposedly, good money can be earned in both countries.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I prefer Mexico to Asia - but everyone has different tastes.
You need to make your own decision.

johnslat · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 10:11 pm Post subject: Heads or tails

Dear Taurus,
Often, when we have a choice to make between two alternatives, deep down, beneath even our consciousness, we have a preference. What I do in such cases is flip a coin - say, Asia heads, Mexico tails. Then, if it comes up the one I am less inclined towards, I'll think: "OK, 2 out of 3".
Hey what can it hurt - give it a try.
Regards,
John