Job Discussion Forums

[Dustyrosepetal]

First of all HI to everyone!

I have a few questions and was wondering if any of you know the answers.

1. How much money do you need before you go to Chile. I have been told any where from $Can.1000-5000. I have a lot saved up already ($3500+)but want to know if i need more. Also should I change it to American or keep it Canadian.

2. What are some key things to pack? Business suits or will pants/skirt and a dress shirt do. What is common to be worn in a school.

3. About privite students, can you survive there with just teaching privitely or should you find a school to work for (i know you have to stay on with a tourist visa if you don't have a real teaching job)

4. Were are some good locations to live. I have learned that older building are often cheaper, but where should I go to live in a place that is safe (and cheap) I don't need a lot of space, I'm used to living in a small place.

5. Does anyone here have Canadian Student Lones. How do you pay them off when away or do you lol stupid loans.

Ok well thats the questions that I have now. Please help or direct me to the answers.

[Dustyrosepetal]

I have another question. How important is it that I speak Spanish? I can speak basic Spanish, but not much more. I am working on improving but how stressed should I be that I don't know that much. Also do any of you have any suggestions on how I can improve.

[koshechka]

hello dusty,
i am going to try to answer some of your questions although everyone's experience is different and it might not be the same for you as for me, but i have found that private students are a great source of cash and yes, you will be able to live on what you make with them. that said, it might be difficult to build up that kind of base and they might cancel most of the time, this depends on luck really. you can charge them different things, somewhere between 8 and 12 i'd suggest. this also depends on the student. if you are planning to stay for a short period of time, and going to argentina is fine, do it. i didn't work for any institute when i got here, only some people who found students and didn't offer a contract and that was fine.
as far as savings, i can't really say, i can tell you that the apartment where i live costs 200,000 which is on the high end. the neighborhood is great, safe and green. you could probably find something decent for 130,000.
anyway, i don't remember your other questions, oh, spanish is obviously a plus but you'll be able to get around, and make more friends, even if you don't speak it perfectly,
ciao
koshechka

[Dustyrosepetal]

thanks for all the help , most of the things that you said were close to what i found my self, i was warned about students not showing. About the place to stay, from the research that i have read 150 000 was concered good for a place so glad to hear that im not to far off.