Job Discussion Forums

[jonniboy]

To add my two cents... I moved from Valencia in Spain which has one of the hottest micro climates in Europe (24 degrees on Xmas eve!) to Riga, Latvia where it's -5 to -10 for most of winter time. It's easy to adjust and 4 pairs of jeans really ain't necessary. Plus points... well Spanish flats are designed to keep the heat out with the result that there is no central heating in many of the Valencian ones so it was usually freezing in the flat at night times in Winter. It was also quite unpleasant in Summer to turn up to work dripping with sweat after walking through 44 degrees of heat. Neither do I miss the mosquitoes or fist sized roaches which had a habit of making their way in, no matter how much poison you put down.

But the best thing about the move has been work related. In my two years in Spain about 85-90% of my classes were bratty kids or teens while private classes were not easy to come by given competition from the hoards of other English teachers. Within 5 months of arriving in Riga I had 19 hours of privates and 9 hours in an academy. (I scaled the academy hours down from an initial 22 but kept some for job reference purposes.) Best of all, all my students are adults, mostly dedicated in a way that the Spanish weren't. I was offered to go back to my old academy in Valencia but turned it down as the thought of spending time being a glorified babysitter again really doesn't appeal. Some day I'd definitely like to escape the cold winters and go back to Spain but I'll have to teach my girlfriend Spanish first and find a job which doesn't involve screaming kiddies.

[Theriel]

Well, I imagine for most, Finland would be among the list of rather cold countries. However, in the Europe forum you see fairly often people trying to get to Scandinavia, usually without success. Why would this be then, if no one wants to move to a cold country? You're not going to get rich in Scandinavia (except maybe Norway).

My experiences anyway:

Finland is extremely well ordered and organized; people are humble and friendly in a shy way; the society is really honest, so you don't have to worry about being robbed or losing your wallet if you leave it on a table. It's not an exciting place, but it's wonderful and beautiful, and things like the northern lights make the long winter nights bearable. A nice warm fire with some mulled wine, good company, and occasional trips to the sauna (with an optional dip in some cold water).. life just doesn't get any better :)

I've taught English in Brazil for a year, and now here in Finland for coming on two years, and I wouldn't trade it for a second. I like cool weather, I love the seasons, and I like winter (within reason.. 5-6 months of it is sometimes a bit much :D). I hate 30�+ weather, and having a summer with light until 23:00 and the temperature being about 25� is pure heaven :) Besides, it's boring being in a place where the weather never changes!

If I end up going somewhere else temporarily to earn more money (the cost of living is unfortuantely prohibitive here, and the wages aren't that high), I think I'll prefer somewhere northern. :)

[VanIslander]

Psst, I'll tell you a secret.

The southernmost coast of South Korea is NOT cold and have decent paying ESL jobs.

Yes it snows up in Seoul, but the south coast doesn't even get snow! a sprinkling once or twice a year but melts on contact. I've seen mosquitoes down here in February and October.

Yes it's hot and humid in the summer, about two months of 30+ C humid hell. If it wasn't for that, this would be the perfect climate for me, coming from Vancouver Island on the Canadian west coast.