Job Discussion Forums

vlynne · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Seattle

Does anybody have any experience with CVA in Caracas? Also how is the political strife in Venezuela these days?

RyanS · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 356

I have never teached or anything but have been to Venezuela.

Basically you have nothing to worry about as long as you don't talk about politics with the wrong people or wear a red shirt or Chavista headbands around town, especially the rich neighbourhoods. The opposition controls the media and says some of the most ridicilious things I've ever heard in my life.

Caracas is a nice city, had many fun nights around Parque Central. Very good beer in Venezuela as well.

vlynne · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Seattle

RyanS, when were you in Venezuela?

MELEE · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:24 pm Post subject:

RyanS · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 356

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Better go get that doberman avatar MELEE!

RyanS I think she was trying to gently point out that "I have never teached" is grammatically incorrect (should be "I have never taught") and as such it is a good thing that you are not a teacher. Razz

Down MELEE!

PT

RyanS · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 356

uhhh... It was intentional just to make sure everyone is practising english grammar and everything. Yeah thats what I did.

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Ah I see, just trying to keep us all on our toes! Good job!

No really, I believe you...thousands wouldn't but I'm not in the least bit sceptical.

PT

k8bee · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 1

Hi,
I'm applying to this program. My cousin went a few years ago and said it was the best experience she ever had abroad. It took 2 weeks to get a reply to my email from the director..

dragon450900 · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 26

I have no knowledge of Venezuela personally but i would think it may kinda dangerous? Chavez seems like a loon from what i've heard in the news but mostly you can't trust what your told by the media these days anyway. Just be careful!

T

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

I was supposed to go to Merida in Dec 2002. Then pulled out 10 days before. With the strikes and everything, I was told that I could get to Caracas, but not to Merida which was on the other side of the country. I had been there in Nov 2001 and wanted to go back. But embassies were pulling personnel and missionaries were being evacuated, so I decdied not to go.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 6:57 pm Post subject:

Whether or not Chavez looks like a loon has a lot to do with where you're following the media.

In any case, it's meant to be a beautiful country. A good friend of mine is in Caracas, and says he finds it safer than Quito. But, he's latino, from a bad part of Quito, and dedicates his time to programs for "at risk" young people. (Meaning gang kids, and druggers, as far as I've seen.) So draw your own conclusions.

Regards,
Justin

RyanS · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 356

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 7:36 pm Post subject:

Well said, Ryan.

Although I'd have said the state oil company is "less corrupt." Rome wasn't built in a day. But it is being built.

I'd also like to know where your poverty statistics are from. I don't know Venezuela, but 47% sounds low to me. It's much worse in a lot of Latin America. Maybe something is working.

Justin

RyanS · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 356

Its determined by the Venezuelan defination of poverty and the people who fall under it. Its a 1998 defination and statistic. If the Venezuelan Defination all those that make less then 1 penny a day is in poverty then thats what is used. I don't know what the 1998 defination was though.