Job Discussion Forums

[Varvian]

Hello,

I am a university student who will graduate with a BS in Fashion Merchandising in two years and I would like to spend my first year out of university teaching English in a foreign country (preferrably in Europe). I only know two languages, English is my native language and I am also proficient in French with the reading level of a 10 year old.

Now I understand that you cannot get rich in TEFL, but you can live comfortably. I have a lot of students loans, which I can easily defer for a year. But I do have to pay them back someday.

My question is after my one year deferral is up, what are my job options (and their qualifications) in the world of TEFL when I have to pay approximately $400/month in student loans? Considering how high the demand for jobs are in Asia, I wouldn't mind living in an industrialized nation there.

I would like to have a salary and lifestyle that would allow me to: pay back my loan, have a studio or one bedroom apartment (I don't mind sharing one if necessary), use public transportation as my main way of getting around, cook meals at home, go out to a coffee shop (or similar place) twice a week, go to a movie, museum, or cultural event every weekend, be able to take a short trip to a different part of the country two or three times a year, plus other miscellaneous expenses like the occasional gift and little things like that.

Is this a reasonable lifestyle considering my situation and the TEFL field?

[Gordon]

Varvian,
This is certainly doable in Japan. You seem to fit the profile of many of the young teachers who come here. You will not be alone and you have lots of time to read up on a country and prepare to teach.

The only concern I have is that you don't seem to say anything about wanting to teach, only to make enough money to pay off loans and have fun. Like I said before, you will fit in perfectly with the language teachers here in places like Nova, AEON, or Geos.

I have a question for you. Why do you want to teach EFL? It has nothing to do with fashion merchandising.

[Louis]

If I may, I think the answer to that last one is "to pay off my loans", which is a perfectly acceptable answer.

Forget Europe, you won't save a thing. The Middle East pays well, but I would stay out of there if I were you. You're looking at Asia: Japan or South Korea, probably. I work in China myself, so although I know these countries pay better, I don't know whether or not you can sock away 400us a month while living comfortably. You've got plenty of time to do your homework, though.

[Varvian]

I've always wanted to find a fun way to be paid to live in foriegn countries. The only reason I ask about the student loans is in case I fall in love with teaching I don't want to be forced to return to the US. If I just wanted to pay off loans I wouldn't take any risks by leaving the country.

[rj]

I can't comment on what finances will be like in another country, but you can buy more time than a single year on your loans. Contact your loan provider for information about income sensitive payment plans and for more information on how much time you get for putting your loans in deferment or forebearance.

You can go years without making a payment due to financial hardship. Eventually you have to pay those loans back, they never go away, so be careful about putting them off too long as interest will continue to add up. The income sensitive payment plans are something you might want to look at, I know Sallie May lets you pay 4-25% of your monthly salary which often means you'll only be paying on the interest.

[Varvian]

I'm not comfortable with the idea of defering my loans for more than a year.