Job Discussion Forums

[Anne Stevens]

Hi,

As we speak, I have saved 2500 dollars for my next adventures

anne stevens

[denise]

When I left for the first time, I took probably about $1000 with me, and I had a whopping $500 or so left behind in the bank. I had no job lined up--just an airline ticket, a spot in a TEFL course, and enough money to cope for maybe a month. I got very lucky and landed a job before the course had finished.

When I came to Japan, I brought about the same amount of money with me, had about the same in my account back home, and had about $40,000 in debt to deal with. Luckily, I already had a job that paid my airfare and housing. I just needed enough to carry me until my first paycheck, which came quickly.

d

[JosephP]

How about the equivalent of twelve dollars in pocket, no job and no place to stay. I've done it but I don't recommend it.

[spidey]

Is it just me...or is there something wrong with this pole?

"Would you leave home to teach abroad with less than $2500?" is the question, but there is no where to answer yes or no. Is there?

[ContemporaryDog]

[spidey]

My point exactly.

[Glenski]

Moreover, Spidey, the poll (not pole) doesn't specify any country. I suppose responders could do that, but it still begs the question.

[Roger]

I, too, have to comment that posters who brag about how little savings they carry on them when they move abroad are a nuisance and/or a menace to the world at large.
Daredevil, after-me-the-deluge types who roam1 the field in search of some temporary jobs are flirting with disaster. I have never gone to another continent with less than the equivalent of U.S.$ 5'000, including a return ticket or cash to buy one, in my pocket; either I carried traveller's cheques, or I had access to a well-stocked bank account.

I never had a loan or debts to repay before I left any country where I lived and worked or studied before!
Maybe I hail from a different planet; I certainly frown on people making debts and buying things on credit. It's a lifestyle question. If you mean to be an ambassador for your own country you are not advertising your own poverty to the hospitable natives of other countries!

[spidey]

I agree, Glenski.

As a side note...I think you missed the joke in my post.

You really need to read things more carefully.

S

[merlin]

[denise]

Roger,

I don't know how insulting or condescending you meant to be, but I feel thoroughly put in my place now with the impoverished masses. I simply have never had the luxury of traveling around with more than $5,000. I have never fled from debts--I am actually repaying them from my salary here. I certainly was not bragging about traipsing across the globe with not a dime on me--it just worked out that way because I am not independently wealthy, never have been, and probably never will be. I have never had a "well-stocked bank account" back home, which is in no way a reflection on my lifestyle. It's merely a reflection on the life of an average hard-working American. Without relying on credit and loans, I would not have been able to go back to school. Please spare me the financial responsibility lecture.

d

[donfan]

I am going to Russia in January with $200 in roubles to my name and a couple of thousand dollars in outstanding debts.

I have worked for the school before and so know what I am going to. There is no way I would do it if it was a new job.

What if the job turns out bad, you hate it and want to go home. If you have no money you can't even get home and you are at the mercy of your employer. No thanks.

[Anne Stevens]

you are absolutely right:
I entered 2 options, tried to preview the poll
but it does not give that option ...
and I ended up with that question
it should have have been: "how much money ..."
with the options following, i guess.
I don't know how to edit now


as

[Roger]

[Seth]