Job Discussion Forums

k32081 · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:10 am Post subject: Bolivia

Does anyone know anything about Bolivia? What is it like there? What is "Cochabamba" like? What is the best way to travel from Bolivia to its surrounding countries? Plane? Bus? Other? Anything in general would be of help. Thanks.

danielita · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 281 Location: SLP

Try checking out http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bl.html for a general economic overview. Then skip over to Lonely Planet: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/south-america/bolivia
and don't forget to go to Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree discussion forum...

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=22

Happy reading...

gambasbo · Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 93 Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia

I posted loads of information, (which took quite a while to prepare), about Cochabamba and Bolivia in the Job Information Journal but for some reason this is no longer accessible. To say I am not happy about this is an understatement.

If anyone ever comes here, I will give them all the help I can, but apart from that, that's all.

And, yes, I love Cochabamba.

Mike

Not St Louis · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Asia

gambasbo, since the job information journal was taken down, hopefully, I can pick your brain on a few things:

-- What about internet access in Boliviain mid-size cities? How accessible is dial up access? DSL? If lacking, what about wireless access?

-- How much demand is there for private classes?

--How difficult is it to arrange a long term visa?

Thanks in advance!

gambasbo · Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 93 Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia

Hi. To answer your questions in order.

1 - There are numerous Internet cafes with Dial Up and they are very cheap. You could get an hour for 25 cents (US).

2 - I teach free so I get a lot of requests!!! Many people here want English, but don't expect to get much money for the classes. Private tuition about a dollar an hour. Institutes vary between about 2 and 4 dollars per hour.

3 - I think it could be very difficult to get a long term visa. It would be easier if you could get some sort of Contract of Employment, but they would want some sort of evidence of regular income.

Mike

Not St Louis · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Asia

Not interested in internet cafes, what about the accessiblity of internet access at home? I do some work over the internet so having regular, decent access from home is what I am looking for. I'm not looking to make a temporary sojourn but rather a long term move.

Does Bolivia have rentista visas? I know I could qualify for the rentista visa in Argentina, but soemthign about Bolivia intrigues me.

gambasbo · Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 93 Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia

I had Dial Up at home and now I have Broadband.

I know of no such thing as a Rentista Visa here, although I am not saying it doesn't exist.

Mike

Not St Louis · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Asia

Well, I better get out my googling fingers and find out about rentista visas in Boliva. Smile

Thanks for the good info. How much do you pay a month for broadband?

Is that a picture of Cochabamba in the your avatar or?

Do you know of any other resources for living or teaching in Bolivia?

Thanks again, gambasbo.

gambasbo · Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 93 Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia

My Broadband is with Comteco and costs 24 dollars a month.

Yes, that is Cochabamba, also called the City of Eternal Spring. Probably one of the best climates in the world, although it is in an earthquake area - sort of.

A good school to teach at would be Calvert. And I guess the Lonely Planet Guide would be one of the the best for Bolivia information. You could also try www.virtualtourist.com

Mike

k32081 · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject:

thank you so much...I will look into the websites you posted....

SpiderChan · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 4 Location: U.S.A.

I just read the Lonely Planet report on safety in La Paz. It sounds like La Paz is pretty dangerous for gringos! I will be arriving to teach soon. I'm not sure if I should read more or stop now before I change my mind.

Is it really that violent in La Paz with fake police and gangs?

supertraveller · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 65 Location: Bolivia

Hi, I have been away from this forum for a while, but I posted some information a few years back about teaching in Bolivia. I taught there for a year, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I have up-to-date information about the situation, so feel free to ask any questions. Regards.

ithos · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 40

Any info at all that you can provide would be great!

Is a CELTA course and no other experience enough to get a job?

Would such a job be enough to live a reasonably enjoyable life there?

What is the best area to go to for job availability/quality of life?

Any names of reputable schools/employers? Places to avoid?

What about Aiquile is it too small to have ESL jobs?

All other useful info you have the time an patience to include will be greatly appreciated.

supertraveller · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 65 Location: Bolivia

Is a CELTA course and no other experience enough to get a job?
Would such a job be enough to live a reasonably enjoyable life there?
What is the best area to go to for job availability/quality of life?
Any names of reputable schools/employers? Places to avoid?
What about Aiquile is it too small to have ESL jobs?
All other useful info you have the time an patience to include will be greatly appreciated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So here are some answers to your questions.
- With a CELTA and a university degree, you will be fine, and should be able to get a good job. I was earning $700 usd a month at the end of 2005 and was living like a king. I had a great apt, and was able to save up quite a bit, and I travelled or went hiking many weekends. I heard the going rate now is about 8-10 usd an hour, which is a good salary there. Of note, I was living in La Paz, which has a few schools. I worked for The Language Works, in Sopocachi, next to the US Embassy. That school has now been sold and is called British English Institute. They have job postings on www.tefl.com and the owner is the former accountant of TLW. It was a great place to work, as the owner of TLW was American and highly professional. I have heard mixed reports of the new setup, but you will get paid on time, and the school does have a good clientele base - such as the Danish Embassy and The Spanish Corporation.
- The other place for jobs is Santa Cruz, and the popular school there is Cambridge Institute, also advertised on tefl.com It is a good setup and the pay is good for the city. That position requires some experience, but you could apply to see what happens. I have heard good things about Cochabamba. Another place to check out is Sucre, a gorgeous city with many students.
-As for reports about La Paz being dangerous, it was getting a little dodgy when I left, but it was no more dangerous than other cities I travelled to in Latin America. There are a few places to avoid at night, like the Cemetario area, and if you do that, you will be fine. It's one of my favourite cities in the world, and I dream about going back constantly. Lake Titicaca is only 90 mins away, and the Amazon is only 1h flight. Lots of hiking in 6000m mountain ranges as well. And it's still off the tourist track, so you can learn and practice Spanish. To supplement income, I also gave private lessons.

I hope this helps, and don't hesitate to ask more questions.

Regards.[/code]