Job Discussion Forums

wildnfree · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 134

Hi all,

I have been working in Hong kong for 3 years teaching English and want to go to LA next year. I was wondering if someone could help me with some general info that might help me decide on where and when.

When is the best time to look for work?

I have a bachelors in Political Science and Graduate Diploma in Business, worked in High Schools teaching English for 3 years - what kind of institution should I look for work? Would any Universities consider me?

Which place in LA, as a caucasian (or in my case, mediterrean) background person you can feel the most 'at home', 'accepted' and 'local'? After living as the token foreigner here, this takes on raised importance.

What are the major dangers and annoyances /surprises I look out for? Any pleasant suprises?

Thanks alot!

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

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

To expound on 'when' to go...Central America and Mexico generally see more positions opening up for September starts, meaning, you should have a job locked up no later than late August. mid January seems a good time as well.

Most of South America starts the fall semester in March, so late February is when most positions are locked up.

On dangers...you should read through many of the threads in the Lat Am forum...I don't think there are too many outside of having street smarts and staying away from certain foods, or Colombian narco rebels.

On pleasant surprises...numerous. If we told you, they wouldn't be surprises!

You'll probably find Latin Americans more welcoming than in Hong Kong, though I don't speak from experience. As far as feeling at home, that depends on how comfortable you are with yourself. Some of things that are most important to people in this part of the world are love, family, good food, and a place to sling a hammock.

Aramas · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:37 am Post subject:

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

Epicurus, eh? Laughing

Yes, add friends to that list, as well as many other things.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 7:14 pm Post subject:

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

MELEE · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 6:52 pm Post subject:

I think us moble Americans who move arround so much inside our own country work the other way don't we?
Our friends become our family. Those of us who are university educated WASPS and lived in dorms, probably experienced what its like to have an large extended family with lots of cousins in your age group for the first time when we lived in dorms. I only have like 6 relatives who are within 5 years of my age younger and older. I moved abroad, but many of my college friends still see each other more often than they see their families and those who are in the same city get together at holidays like Thanksgiving.

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

My wife noted that about my choice of friends...and when I say noted I mean derrided me for it! I often spend a lot of time with newly arrived teachers, or getting together for drinks with people who have been here awhile. We'll also do a US Thanksgiving Day dinner at my place for the Americans.

Maybe I should get some Mexican friends. Crying or Very sad

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

oOh! I made a new Mexican friend today at the airport!

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

That's actually the thing about being in Latin America (well, Mexico, at least) for me - I was able to make some good friends. And I mean REAL friends. I'd hang out with other ex-pats quite often as well, but I had - still have - plenty of good friends who I stay in touch with in Mexico.

I don't know how or why that is. Maybe it's that the people have more in common culturally, all of us being Americans. Maybe it was because I learned the language better, and maybe it's because I was playing music semi-professionally instead of always teaching. Maybe a combination of all those things.
I'm in China now, and I don't have many Chinese friends. Well, a few. And one or two I might stay in touch with. But it's tougher. I feel a wall between me and the Chinese people. Most are friendly enough, but there's always this, "I'm Chinese and you're not, so you'll never understand me" wall between us.

I was amazed that the Mexican people could accept a foreigner as a permanent part of the neighborhood. I stayed there long enough that I was a fixture, and people remembered to include me in neighborhood meetings or just hanging out at a bar. Not just acted nice to me when they saw me; they'd call me up and invite me along.
I thought that was just amazing.

Never, ever happen in Indonesia. Could happen, maybe, in China, after a good long time.
Mexicans are very cool about that sort of thing though. Not NEARLY as racist as Asians from most countries (though there are exceptions to that).

No, man, the amistad thing there is awesome.

Just...learn the language. That makes it a LOT easier.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

Fatcat · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 92 Location: Athens, Georgia

Fatcat · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 92 Location: Athens, Georgia

I don't quite know how to highlight the quotes yet and respond!! Don't know what just happened there, but I'm working on it...