Job Discussion Forums

[Cindy79]

Does anyone have any first or second-hand information about the IH CELTA course in Ljubljana, Slovenia? I'm an American looking to take a CELTA course this summer and that one jumps to the top of my list for both its location and price. I know that the content should be more or less the same everywhere, but I'm wondering if anyone has any positive or negative impressions of Mint International House to share.

On another note, are there any non-EU citizens who have managed to find legal employment in Slovenia or nearby countries (Croatia, Slovakia, etc.)? I'm willing to take the course in Europe and then jump on the TEFL train to Asia, just curious to see if there are any success (or horror) stories out there in central-ish Europe.

[queenkp]

I lived in Ljubljana (down the road from Mint, actually!) for 2 years and loved it - great place. While the course may be cheap, keep in mind Ljubljana is not - I paid 800 US per month for my flat, and with the exception of wine and beer, food and the cost of living rivals that in any other major European city. I didn't know any other Americans teaching legally, and only one who taught under the table (and didn't make enough cash to live on). Mint became affiliated with IH while I was living there, though I don't know anyone who worked there or took courses there - sorry I can't help with that. Good luck!

[Cindy79]

Thanks for the reply--and the helpful info! I have decided to take the CELTA course in Ljubljana next month, so if anyone else is interested I'll soon be able to answer my own questions. I didn't realize the prices had gone up so much since I backpacked through in 2000 (I distinctly remember a loaf of bread, some "fruc" juice and a bottle of vodka that were quite cheap at a neighborhood gas station). For course participants Mint will reserve a hotel room, the cheapest of which is $350 for the month (no kitchen facilities, but it's downtown near Castle Hill, and my tastes haven't progressed much in the last seven years).

As for jobs, I know it's unlikely to find anything in Slovenia and plan to appreciate the time that I will have there before looking east for legal employment (Croatia, Turkey?). Thanks again for your info and encouragement!

[naturegirl321]

[nabakow30]

A quick note to say that having lived for various lengths of time in UK, Poland, Germany and France as well as Slovenia (currently), I can honestly say that while there is indeed a property boom in Ljubljana (and in so far as any place can 'merit' such athing, this city does) and accommodation can be pricey, it's not all that bad.

800 dollars is a lot for this city. There are 2 possibilites- the place was simply marvellous or the poster was paying too much. I'll admit I'm lucky but I'm sharing a place just 10 minutes walk from IH in a new, modern block where the rent is 350 euro between 2. I'll repeat that such places are relatively few and far between, but even if you pay more, it's still exceptional vaulue.

Other than that, Ljubljana (and indeed Slovenia) is not about cheapness but about value. I'll be staying for the simple reason that the quality of life is amongst the highest I've come across (where quality contains cost of living, eating out, transport, access to and variety of nature and leisure pursuits, diversity and value of cultural events etc). Bear in mind that both the capital and the country in general are 'miniature' and accept the pros and cons of this, and I defy anyone not to have a good expereience of living here.

As a teacher in a private language school who is not willing to work all hours just to save a little more money (which is as possible in Ljubljana as anywhere else), I can also say that I have been able to save more money (both as a percentage and in 'real' terms - whether you think in terms of dollars, pounds etc Slovenia's recent acceptance of the euro kind of negating this issue anyway) than anywhere else.

And there ARE Americans working here legally. Not many, but in general there aren't so many native speakers in Ljubljana. Furthermore. I know of at least 2 teachers who finished the last CELTA at IH who stayed on in the city to teach.

Right. It's 33 degrees and I'm off for lunch and a Ljubljana bike ride.
Enough for now. Take care all, hope thios has been of some interest to some people. Now THAT's non-specific....

[Cindy79]