Job Discussion Forums

jello1 · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 40

All,

I'm interested to hear from folks who have worked in SE Asia and now are in Latin America.

Why did you move? I'm guessing the pay was better in Asia, so it's another reason? Cultural, social, quality of life....anything, everything....

Full disclosure, I am taking a CELTA this summer in Colombia and then looking forward to a little career change. Please feel free to give this newcomer any advice you think relevant...

Thanks!

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

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

unforgiven · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 1

tought in Korea for 3 and 1/2 yrs. Worked at a hotel in Japan for half a year and traveled the rest.
Just want the change, I will have to take a major pay cut. But Korea, Japan, and Taiwan are great places to stack the cash for a cushy start in C.America. Gives you breathing room in between jobs or start up money. Anyways, I can respond more. I am just heading to Guat and working my way down to Pan. in a couple weeks from now and hope to work in Pan. If anyone has any good hints about job search in Panama, let me know. I have been through C. America before but not with work in mind. Thanks.

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

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Mexico City is about the same as Merida Tim, in many places higher, but now we're talking SWANK.

Is650 - Now that makes more sense to me. I thought that perhaps you had meant Korea, China, or Japan when you said Asia.

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

Cost-of-living for teachers in Korea is probably less overall than in Mexico, given that most teachers don't pay anything for accomodation. I get a one-bedroom apartment, fully firnished, eight down to the fridge, washer and VCR (no DVD, yet). Food is about 50% more expensive on average, but a restaurant meal (average) would run to about US$4-5. My utilities, including fast internet, are around US$60 a month, except in the depths of winter when my gas bill went through the roof.

I take $300 from my pay which lasts me the month, with a bit left over for the odd treat. I am living by myself at the moment, and I doubt many people could live as comfortably in Mexico as I do here for the same money.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I doubt it also, Mike.

As for furnished rentals, I have never rented a 2 bedroom apartment, but the one bedroom apartments or bungalows that I have rented have been around 2,000 pesos per month--nicer ones in non-tourist areas closer to 3,000. Seems to me that ls650 is getting a deal in Huatulco, as 4 years ago a decent 2 bedroom apartment there was right around 3,000 to 3,500.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I found what I think is a great deal in a good central area of Mexico City...3 bedroom, not furnished place for 600 us. I get a small subsidy from work. I do notice the expenses go up from when I lived alone in a one-bedroom. Lights are at 20 dollar a month...gas now seems more expensive, maybe another 24 dollars per month. Water is only 2 dollars. The telephone kills me because Slim needs a new car.

I usually find one-bedroom furnished rentals in DF for teachers at 150-220 dollars or so per month, with no utilities to pay, but this usually a room with private bath. Kitchen is hard to find in that package.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I haven't yet made the move, but after two years in Japan, I am ready for it. Chile is my next destination.

Why? For some of the reasons you mentioned, plus one listed by ls650. Cultural, social, and linguistic. Japan tends to be passive, and I want a change from it. Enough so that I am willing to take a bit of a pay cut.

When I came to Japan, I came for my job, but I had no real interest in the country. I just got my Rough Guide to Chile in the mail today, and, by contrast, I am so excited!

d

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I missed Spanish and wanted to get it back before going back to China.

Paulie2003 · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 541

I made about 40,000 bucks (all expenses paid) at a private school in China...I very much doubt that you even come close to half that in Mexico...

Of course - you're probably paid what you're worth...

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

And since Paulie was fired from his job and is currently unemployed, can we hope that he is also being paid what's he's worth?

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

Paulie probably expects his reward will come in the afterlife, I am currently in this life so look for more immediate rewards.

God helps those who help themself, so I trust you're at least trying to do that, Paulie. By 40,000 bucks did you mean US$ ? That seems very high for China.

I make 1,900,000 a month here, but you have to move the decimal point quite a ways to the left to get US "bucks."