Job Discussion Forums

[Dwest15]

Hey, I have 4000 dollars and would like to go down to brazil and live for maybe 10 years (while the US fixes its fiscal problems). What would I have to do to get that done???? I already have a BS from a american university and I could possilby finish a MS in 2 years. Will I be able to find a good paying job down there with those credentials without knowing portuguese or will I have to learn it? Please discuss!

Any information will be of use to me.

[JZer]

Dwest15, It might help if you tell us what your BS and MS are in and what you want to do in Brazil? I mean do you want to teach English or get a job with a foreign company? If you have an MS in computer science you could probably find some independent contracts and live in Brazil while you work on some programs and stuff. There are many options, it just depends what your skills are. If you are living the US because of its fiscal problems I would be hesitant because Brazil has many fiscal problems as well. You would just be running from one problem to another.

[Dwest15]

I have a BS in natural science and am thinking about a MS in Information Science (telecomunications). I wouldn't mind teaching english at all. I really would just like some advice about what I should do. I really want to see/live in brazil (I have heard so many good things) I just don't know what is the best way to do it. I mean should I just take like an extended vacation down there for 2 or so years teaching english? should I attempt to get a more permanent job? Is this even a good Idea? Any help would be appreciated.

[JZer]

Dwest15, Brazil is a great country. In 2000 I spend 10 days in Salvador, Bahia. It was great and I have wanted to return ever since. I have applied to the IICA program and hopefully in February I will start teaching English in Brazil. With that said, I have heard that it is hard to secure a proper working visa in Brazil and this is a problem because Americans can only spend 180 days a year in Brazil. You cannot just leave and come back and get another 180 days. If you have been in Brazil for 180 days and leave, you cannot return until next year. People have said that if you stay over 180 days, you will have to pay a fine for each day over 180 when you leave the country.

Another problem is that you will probably only earn about $500-600 a month which is not a lot of money. Teaching English in Brazil is not that lucrative. That is what I know and I will tell you more when I finally make it to Brazil. I would suggest that maybe you should try working there for one year and if you decide that you want to live there for a long time you might want to explore other avenues in which you can earn a better income.

[sousa]

DWest15,

I'm heading to Brazil in June for the first time and with the same amount of cash. I too, have hopes of staying longer.

Although my background is in business; I have spent the last three years teaching English overseas in Asia.
I speak fluent Portuguese (Portugal) and feel pretty much open to doing anything including teaching for the next few years.

My plans are to check out the country first and get a feel for it. I have no doubts I'll fall in love with Brazil. The problem is just as JZer put it, in the last post: The pay is low and of course there's the visa issue. As far as crime is concerned; I'm a bit worried about it but what can you do other than not go at all.

Anyway, I'll be starting off in the North East (bumming around on the beaches) and fitting in some research on job opportunities in between.

Send me an email if you would like to keep in touch. I'll keep you updated as to my progress and relevant information. In the meantime, here are two links to which I found helpful regarding teaching English in Brazil.
(just copy and paste onto your browser).

peace and good luck.

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0503/teaching_english_in_brazil.shtml

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/3941/brsfaq.html#acc

[JZer]

sousa, make sure you go to Salvador. It is wonderful. Secondly I hope that I will be joing you in Brazil soon. I have considered looking for a university job while I am doing the IICA teacher training program. I thought that if I am already in Brazil I can apply for some university jobs for the following year.

[Dwest15]

I mean, could I just get on a flight from miami, land in any brazilian city get a job teaching english? Is that a foolish idea? Any advice on what I should do to get down there?

[JZer]

Like I said before, the problem with Brazil is that you can only stay 180 days a year. If I am wrong someone please correct me. In say Peru, you could just show up and if you got a job under the table which would mean that you would have to leave the country every three months. The difference with Brazil is that after 180 days you will be fined for everyday you remain in the country and there is no escaping because when you go to fly out of the country they will know how long you have been in Brazil and will force you to pay the fine.

Yes, you can show up and look around. Just be aware that many employers will not offer you a proper working permit and due to Brazilian law you can't really get around not having a proper visa. You might be better off going to Venezuela or Peru because you can work there illegally if you have to but I would recommend securing a proper working visa if it is possible.

You could also apply to IICA but the next starting date is February 2006.

[sousa]

Hey JZer,

I have heard great things about Salvador and look forward to checking it out. It will probably be my third stop from Rio following Vitoria along the coast; (That is if all goes according to plan).

Let me know how the IICA gig works out if you wouldn't mind. Perhaps we will meet up somewhere along the road for a few caprinhas!

[email protected]

peace,

sousa