Job Discussion Forums

[todd]

Hi there,

I want to go abroad for a year or so. I have connections to a music guru in Chennai India, so being able to work there would be lovely. Otherwise I'd like to teach in Indonesia or some other island in the area (papua new guinea, east timor, sri lanka, etc). I will probably get a CTESL, I have a B.A. in philosophy, studied some linguistics, and have six months experience as a lead tutor in a supplemental education program for high school students which included some minor esl work.

I'd like to commit to less than a year but a year would work, leaving in the fall of 2005 would be best, I like civilization but also enjoy slow paced life, riding bicycles, living spartanly, nature, and learning exotic non-indoeuropean languages (esp. austronesian ones). Any advise on various programs, paths to take, etc., would be lovely. I have read some horror stories and wonder what the best way to avoid that is. The reality of my journey is that I'll have very little money if any if I can pull this off, and so couldn't afford to be screwed with.

thanks, todd

[Hyo-Shin]

[Roger]

They hire 0.0.. foreign teachers in India.

[Ludwig]

'Todd', "abroad" is a big place and it contains many locations where it may well seem it "would be lovely" to work. This does not mean there is any work there, though, (or that the places are indeed in any sense 'lovely').

Indonesia is probably not best described as an "island", and Papua New Guinea (itself the second largest island in the world, roughly the size of Turkey, or around 15% larger than Texas), East Timor, Sri Lanka, etc. are not exactly known for their employment possibilities within the field of TEFL (or, indeed, within any field outside of aid relief and perhaps, for some, occasional calls for mercenaries).

Here is a picture from a recent political rally in Papua New Guinea:

It is hard to see who, exactly, you think would be in a position to employ you.

[Taiping04]

Todd, there are several international schools in PNG, principally Moresby, Lae and Rabaul. Organisations like Australian Volunteers International offer opportunities to people with ideals and commitment. I worked with them for two years.
However, if you are selfish and cynical, listen to our resident troll and general smartarse, "Earwig".

[Hyo-Shin]

you could try getting a job on the east coast of taiwan, if you can go there and find something, you'll definitely be far away, you'll be taking a lot less money, but could very well find yourself living in paradise...give it a look

good luck bud

[todd]

Thanks to all the people with helpful comments!

Ludwig-

I could have utilized more precise geological specifications and talk about archipelagos and whatnot, but I don't think having rigorous definitions of the area I am seeking to travel to is necessary here, no? On a petty point, as far as I know size doesn't really matter as to whether or not something is an island. The distinction between island and continent is not cached out in terms of 'bigness' it is made in terms of plate techtonics.

On who would employ me, I don't know thats why I am asking. Sometimes there are NGOs who go into countries to do pro bono work and could perhaps have money for teachers, not like 1000$s of dollars, but enough for room and board. I am just guessing, but it is worth asking about.

On the political situation in sri lanka, papua, timor, etc., I am well aware of this. It is art of the draw for me, I don't plan to just teach, but am also interested in doing political work.

On whether I thought it would be idylic... I didn't. Basically I was saying I don't want to teach in Jakarta or Medan, I'd like to be able to ride a bicycle safely so as to not have to rely on petroleum based transportation.

But you with your amazing cultural insights into the political, geological, and social worlds of Southeast Asia/South Pacific have totally rocked my world, and I am shattered. I feel so enlightened with you thoughtful and helpful comments, I will dedicate my life to studying your principles

[todd]

Two last things:

About India, yeah I am not really into large scale urban life in general, but want to go to Chennai to study with my mrdangam guru at some point.

I didn't parse my questions very well. I should have done it as follows:
1. Are there any opportunities around Chennai? I was pretty sure this was a no, but thought to ask anyway.
2. What other cities have decent programs in Indonesia other than Medan and Jakarta.
3. What other decent programs are there in neighboring countries around Indonesia. I haven't found very many and can't evaluate the ones I did find.

On 'exotic' languages. A lot of the austronesia languages, papuan languages, etc., in the area have 'exotic' features from an indoeuropean perspective. There are ergative-absolutive languages as opposed to english which is a nominative-accusative based language. I could go on, I use exotic in the sense of interesting and different not in the sense of orientalism. There is much to be learned from these languages, especially from Papua, as they fall off the radar of most linguists. I bet this responce doesn't matter much anyway, since its source seems one particularly hell bent on conflict.

[Taiping04]

"Ludwig" wrote:

Quote:

What would make a language "exotic"?

A dictionary is what he needs. Try:
# From another part of the world; foreign: exotic tropical plants in a greenhouse. See Synonyms at foreign.
# Intriguingly unusual or different; excitingly strange: �If something can be explained simply, in a familiar way, then it is best to avoid more exotic explanations� (Chet Raymo). See Synonyms at fantastic.
# Of or involving striptease: an exotic dancer.

Let's eliminate the stripteaser answer. NOW do you get it, Ludwig?
I suspect there will soon be a post revealing that he doesn't "get it" at all.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[naturegirl321]

PNG, isn't known for it's safety either. I lived with an MK kid from there, not safe. east timor, same thing there. India, not lots of jobs, indonesia might be possible, though sometimes not safe. Why don't you try someplace farther north, like malaysia, thailand, very exotic, or china?

[naturegirl321]

Todd,
one more thing, if you want to do something, do it no matter what people say. I don't know much about NGO, but I htink you could do a yahoo search and find tons, though I think that you would have to pay money for most of them.
a good site is volunteerabroad.com
or teachabroad.com
they are related.
Good luck!
Let us know what happens.

[Ludwig]

[kait]

Ludwig,

Why is this so important to you? Whether Todd considers something exotic or not is his opinion. Honestly, you spend so much time splitting hairs, that you must have a really bad case of the frizzies.

[Ludwig]