Job Discussion Forums

[intoanotherintensity]

Hello!
This is my first time posting. I've been looking through all the advice you guys have given to others and I want to start off by saying THANKS!

So about myself: I'm an American, recent graduate with a BA in English, but no teaching experience other than tutoring in the US and in Italy (during my semester abroad). I just got accepted into International House Minsk for the CELTA and I will be there for all of July. I want to teach in Russia or another Russian-speaking country (Belarus, Ukraine, etc.). I have about $18,700 in subsidized and $23,000 in unsubsidized loans.

Now on to my questions:
1. Can anyone tell me anything about International House? Good experiences/bad experiences, general reputation compared to other places, etc. I chose it for it's location, since I have a friend in Belarus who I've been meaning to visit. But since I read on here that often people apply at the schools where they take the CELTA, I want to know more about the school and what my chances are of getting a job there.

2. I don't want to get a job in September because I can't leave the US until December at the earliest. Will it be much more difficult to find a job from the US (assuming I can't set something up while I'm in Belarus)?

3. What are the costs and the approximate monthly salary I could make in this region? Will I be able to make any payments on my loans? I know others have posted asking about deferments but anything else you can tell me would be really helpful.

There's one post by a person from Dallas, TX that was especially good for me to read because I'm in almost the same situation (I'm even in Dallas, too!).

Thanks again and I'm sorry if these questions have been asked before but I want to know about this school and this region in particular and didn't see any posts that dealt with them specifically.

[coledavis]

I think you'll get better help on the 'Russia & CIS' board and, if that part of the region appeals, the Ukraine board too. My general opinion is that apart from International House, opportunities for decently paid work in Belarus are few if truly existing at all. Russia is a much better bet. I'll leave it there, as I think the boards mentioned would be a lot better for the advice you seem to be after.

[sharter]

I've spent 17 years teaching of which five were in Central Europe. I was in Poland three weeks ago. I also taught for IH. What I'm going to tell you isn't pretty.

First of all, IH are generally the worst payers in the countries each 'franchise' operates in. It doesn't matter if it's Belarus, Poland or Timbuktu......you'll be flat broke on what they pay.

Secondly, as an American, you're probably blissfully unaware as to just how expensive Europe is. Flat prices per square metre are higher in the east than in Berlin. So are clothes, electronic goods and lots more.

You have zero chance of paying any loans off.

After you've put your time in, it is possible to make a living wage for a single person.

[coledavis]

[tttompatz]

If you want culture = go to Europe.

If you want to pay off $40k in loans = go to Asia. pay off your loans in about 4-5 years (and have some cash in the bank to boot) then head for Europe (if you are still interested).

.

[Kofola]

Belarus might prove to be a bit of an adventure.

Last week the government issued a new 200,000 ruble note. And while it is only worth 20 euros, it is twice the amount of the previous highest denomination. Last year inflation was running at 100% at one point and the ruble lost 64% per cent of its value against the US dollar overall. There's no indication that the economy is going to improve drastically in the near future. Quite the reverse.

Russia or Ukraine might be doable, with a certain amount of luck, and also Kazakhstan. If I were you, I would do some careful planning and work out exactly how much you would want/need to pay off each month and then look at what's being offered. You also might want to factor in currency fluctuations in this uncertain climate. Not having any experience means that you would find it more difficult to compete for the better paid jobs. On a positive note, there seems to be more jobs around in Russia at the moment than is sometimes the case.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Russia would be possible if you:
1) Get to a smaller city with few native speakers;
2) Establish yourself in the teaching community and make connections; and
3) Are able to sell yourself as a private tutor (get to know Business English, IELTS and SAT!).
You should then be able to make enough to save; perhaps even quite a lot ($1500-$2000/month, say; this also depends on your lifestyle, of course).
Otherwise, Russia is pretty much month-to-month.
Good luck

[sharter]

Coledavis I think someone has twisted your melon man. Maybe IH pays a little more but it's like saying death by getting shot is better than death by stabbing. All of them pay a pittance and this guy has $40,000 of debt.

What you do find with IH teachers is that they've bought into this idea, promoted by IH, that they are somehow better trained teachers, which us oldies know is absolute pap. Don't be suckered into IH. Even the Belarussians will sneer at your salary.