Job Discussion Forums

marikac33 · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

I'm currently struggling through making some cash with a white collar, snorer of a desk job here in Toronto and next fall I'm hoping to volunteer/work overseas. I've been searching through mind numbing websites of all sorts of different opportunities raging from those you pay to do to those you get paid for, but I have some lingering concerns about my trip planning.

Teaching english is a viable option for me. I'm hoping next year to go to teachers college and I would like to increase my related experience. I have an undergrad degree in Kinesiology and I've been working in the health/business field for three years now. One of my concerns about teaching english is that I will not be able to start until October, I have noticed a lot of postings start in August or September. Are there any groups you can go with that have a later start date? I'm also hoping to go for 4-6 months, a year commitment would not allow me to go back to school, are teaching contracts generally longer than this?

I am having difficulty deciding what type of project I will go with, a paying or one I have to pay. I'm in a position right now that I could do either so long as it is not an expensive paying one. One more problem I have is that I have not been able to narrow down where I would like to go....minor detail.... Smile

If anyone has any tips on aid work, IDP camp work, or AIDS orphanages too my ears are open.

Thanks for any insight.

here_now · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject:

Hi Marika,

in regards to aid work, here are a couple of websites that might interest you:

www.idealist.org contains thousands of job listings and volunteer positions with non-profit organizations around the world..

you might also try asking for help on this aid workers' forum although it's not very active
http://forum.aidworkers.org.uk/cgi-bin/discus/discus.pl

marikac33 · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

Are there teaching placements that start any time? I have noticed a lot of placements start in September. If it is not possible to start in October, is it possible to take a week or two of holiday as I have a family committment at the end of September?

What is the average placement duration? I am hoping to dedicate 6 months, is this looked down on if a year commitment cannot be made?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Have you considered getting a working holiday visa? Canadians can get them for two 6-month stints (only once in your life, though). That would let you jump into a job without the need for a visa sponsor, and you could start work as soon as you are hired.

Plus, a 6-month commitment is not very long, but at least the WHV would let you get your foot in the door for that short a time. Be aware that if you move overseas, setup costs could set you back enough that working only 6 months would hardly allow you to break even.

grwit · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 329 Location: Dagobah

China is a good option if you are looking for some unique experience without worring about getting rich.

The money isn't that great but you can live comfortably while you are here.

Yes 6 months contracts are Ok. Most begin in september as that is the beginning of the chinese school year and will finish early january. However there maybe schools still looking for foreign teachers after september or you could arrange with the school a starting date that would suit you. They will probabily make a chinese teacher do the classes untill you arrive in october.

You could choose the hustle and bustle of the big city or go to a smaller city and experience real chinese life.

Having a degree in any field will get you a position in college or university. It is easier to teach the older ones because they will already have a good english foundation and the language barrier is minimal.

Don't expect that your experience teaching ESL will help you in an american classroom. I have been a primary school teacher in Australia and teaching in china is very different.

Chris_Crossley