Job Discussion Forums

[makhno]

Hi Folks,

Can anyone please share with me some solid info about teaching in Bogota, Colombia? I can' seem to find much seemingly reliable info out there ... I've tried emailing (contact info from mutual acquaintance) the boss at a school in Bogota, ABC English School (or something to that effect), supposedly one of the better schools in Bogota, but my email bounced. Anyone know about that school and/or how to contact them from here in Peru?

As noted above, I'm writing from Peru (been traveling Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru since January), and now that I am in the beginning stages of my job search, I've noticed -- at least from what I've read here in Dave's ESL Cafe -- that the employment situation in the Andean countries seems to be worse now than it was when I booked my ticket down here a little over 4 and a half months ago. If Bogota doesn' look promising, I'll settle for other attractive options in cities (other than Guayaquil and perhaps a few others) in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador.

If relevant, in a nutshell my qualifications, after the education and too many years practicing law (about 50% "black hat" lawyering and about 50% "white hat" lawyering, if you're sitting in judgment ...) in the US, are a CELTA and about 9 months of teaching experience in Viet Nam.

Many thanks for whatever your can share (also, I'll be checking my PMs if you'd rather contact me that way).

Cheers,
M

[nineisone]

There is a lot of information on Bogota if you archive back quite aways in the forum. But you most likely want current information from someone on the ground there. Are you checking the Colombian sites like poorbuthappy? They always seemed to have a good running dialogue on teaching/living in that country.

I'm disheartened to hear your comment that the employment situation in the Andean countries is worse now than 4 months ago. Is this from your experience on the ground in Peru and Ecuador? Have you checked the various leads given by naturegirl, most of which are in Lima? Also the plethora of listings in her database for Quito might be helpful.

Interested to hear your further comments and impressions of your time down South as I am heading in that direction 3 weeks from now.

[lozwich]

Hi M,

I would suggest that you come to Bogota, and try to get a job when you're here. Not many schools advertise online, which makes it hard to get something before you arrive. You will also have the issue of trying to get sponsored for a working visa. Luckily, I didn't have this problem when I arrived, but most people seem to find themselves in the catch 22 situation of not being able to get a job without a working visa, and not being able to find a school that will sponsor them. This means you need to work under the table and do regular border runs.

You could check out El Tiempo online, but its only in Spanish, or Fundacion Teachers for job leads.

I've never heard of ABC School, but just spending a few hours on public transport (or if you're cashed up, in a taxi ) you'll see lots of schools around the place, some a bit dodgy, others very legitimate.

Hope this helps,
Lozwich.

[makhno]

Thanks, yall. I must confess that I figured I'd post an enquiry as to the current situation in Bogota before returning there only to find no work ((I�m now in Peru).

Nineisone, I must admit that the purported worsening of the jobs situation in the Andean countries has come largely from word-of-mouth and internet -- quite possibly from folks without a Bachelor's degree and TEFL. I haven�t checked poorbuthappy in a while -- thanks for the reminder. Also, I'm just now getting started looking for work, but thought I might head up to Trujillo, Peru, which I sorta liked and where there are reportedly jobs available. On the slender basis of jus a few days, I prefer the picturesque southern city of Arequipa to Trujillo, so � might return there to seek work (I'm only a day or so away), although the city's reputation as being one of the more conservative places in Peru is a bit of a disincentive (Trujillo being quite less uptight, from what I hear).

As to just kicking around and traveling in the more southerly places ... I haven't gotten very far. I preferred Colombian culture in general, but Peru has some fantastic natural and human-made beauty. If you have the chance, go to Kuelap, a huge pre-Inca ruins near Chachapoyas -- when I was there I was one of fewer than 20 tourists! OK, it's not Angkor Wat or the Taj Mahal, but it's definitely worth a day at the ruins and a rough overnight bus ride. Off to Machu Picchu tomorrow, then the REAL job search starts.

Hey, Lozwich, are you by any chance Loz the Master of the Universe? If so, I�m the norteamericano you met in Medellin and haven't successfully reencountered since (missed you in Cuenca -- you should have stayed a bit longer; nice city...)

I�ve been checking out naturegirl's posts and am of course grateful to her for compiling that great list of schools in the region.

I have heard some horror stories about visa stuff, not getting paid for working under the table, etc. , so if anyone else has any current info or recommendations for good schools, I'd be much obliged.

Thanks again, yall.

[lozwich]

[nineisone]

Makhno,

I'll be in Trujillo in three weeks. In regards to Arequipa, I would suspect there may be more jobs to be found than reported. I can't recall too many posters who have sought work in that city. I'm a bit adverse to mountain towns, but if that is your thing that might be a great spot for you and also your exploration could provide the board with some great new info. on Arequipa.

My thinking is based on the size of the city and its proximity to tourist sites/areas as well as its more conservative/less nationalistic reputation might generate a substantial market for individuals seeking to learn english. Of course, I may be way off base and Cusco may be the lone and dominant market in the area. The city has produced Mario Vargas Llosa, a wonderful author, who ironically wrote a famous book set in Trujillo called the The Green House which originally piqued my interest in the region.

Sorry about the rambling. PM me if or when you get around Trujillo or just post to the board and let us know how you are doing and what decisions you have made.

[tomteacher]

Is Arequipa a good place to work and live? I'm thinking of going down there when I go down there. I know a gorgeous girl there as well, so it would be nice to get a decent job sorted out.

[nineisone]

TomTeacher,

You should check Arequipa out. It looks like a beautiful city and if you strike out you are still close to Cusco, Lima, and even Chile where you know you could find good schools. The metropolitan area is over 1 million so the city should have lots of options.

A quick comment on the Peruanas. My friend married one after traveling extensively through South America. He said the women in Peru tend to capture the same style of the much more acclaimed Andes women in Venezuela and Colombia but without any pretensions and less desire to use you to get to the States, Europe, etc... Having lived in Florida I can vouch for the droves of Venezuelans and Colombians but don't see too many Peruvians.

I'm thinking my time in Trujillo will be limited to exploring Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador so I will be interested in hearing from others about Arequipa.

[tomteacher]

Nice analysis of the attractions of the girls of Peru Nineisone. You may well be right, it sounds very plausible. I would say (to generalise) that maybe girls from Lima are a bit more cynical when it comes to hooking up with foreigners as an easy way to get to Europe or the USA than say a girl from the provinces.

Thanks for the advice on Arequipa, I will bear it in mind. It sounds like a good place to base myself. Any other advice would be appreciated.