Job Discussion Forums

[seebeauty]

Hello everyone! I feel like this might be too much to ask, or like I'm asking silly questions about the same things everyone is wondering themselves, but I'd love if anyone can help me out!!

I'm currently a HS Spanish teacher in the States and planning to take (at least) next school year off to travel around the world with my boyfriend. He is a native of New Zealand and has experience teaching English in S.Korea. Being he's already lived there, S.Korea is not an option for us (we want new places!) I also taught English in Paraguay for six months.

I have a B.S.ed in Spanish, secondary education with an ESL endorsement and a MA in curriculum and instruction.

A few questions:

1. Can I actually SAVE in places like Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan (we will be living frugally)

2. I know as a certified teacher I am qualified to teach at American/Int'l schools, but really only want to commit to teaching from about June/July 08 until December 08. I don't want to be dishonest, but will that disadvantage me?

2b. With that being said, would it be worth my time and money to register with the international school placement/recruitment services? (they charge about $200 to register yourself)

3. I've also heard of the possibility of making money doing acting (i.e. commercials, small westerner parts) particularly in Taiwan, anyone have knowledge of that?

4. I'm starting to think my best bet will be to just decide on a country and go there to get a job. It is starting to feel like the best paying position might be found applying in person.

5. Keep in mind my boyfriend and I have traveled quite extensively and are very flexible, open minded, have a high tolerance for being uncomfortable if that means more money to travel later. We are looking for a pleasurable experience, but also need to SAVE$$. Thailand seemed like a nice option, but I'm afraid I wouldn't save much money there...

THANK YOU for any input you have. I have had such a great experience so far with people's insightful input and advice.

[ghost]

[Glenski]

ghost's figures are probably for a single person living alone.

I can tell you that is true for the Japan figures, at least.

Live together and live frugally, and you will be able to save at least double the figure he cited for Japan.

However, you only want to work from June to December. Bad timing, but you might get some work, and you'll have to bail out of a contract because most of them are for 12 months (not just international schools, either).

If you are really a committed teacher, you won't inconvenience your students that way, so I would say don't register for international school work.

[Bangkok Hound]

[seebeauty]

So as I was thinking before, money wise I'm leaning towards Taiwan or Japan. I'm still skeptical of being able to save in Japan though, I've heard the cost of living is so high!

Can't just say F-it and travel, got to save to travel, then work to travel...I'm trying to get set up to travel a couple years. Complicated visa BS causes NZ boyfriend not able to enter the states. That is why I'll leave states in June to meet up with him. I'll need to work until at least December to have some money to travel. Reason want to work July to December is because plan is to go to NZ for the holidays.......

Any thoughts on just showing up and getting a job VS securing a job before I go?????? Am I feeling overly confident with my qualifications that I'll find something good?

[Glenski]

Just how much do you want to save per month, and how much do you have in outstanding debts (per month, like student loans)?

People from London claim Japan (especially Tokyo) is no more expensive. It depends on lots of factors.

A rough estimate is like this:
entry level teaching salary is 250,000 yen/month
outgoing expenses on average will be 125,000 (rent, utilities, phone, food, insurance)

How far will 125,000 remaining go in your life?
entertainment
sightseeing
magazines/newspapers/books
cable/satellite TV
car/parking
long-distance calls (which you can get around with things like Skype)
emergency medical problems

Most people will save on average about 50,000-70,000 per month, but you can save even more if you are frugal and don't have debts back home.

[Glenski]

Just showing up to job hunt will open more opportunities, but you'd better plan on supporting yourself for 2-3 months before that first paycheck comes (a month after you are hired). If you set up in a guest house, you can pay nothing or 25,000 yen in deposit, plus an average of 70,000 yen/month in rent (no utilities). Need to find a job? You'll need a phone. You'll need public transportation to get around to the interviews.

All told, plan on US$4000-5000 for those 2-3 months.

Set yourself up in an apartment, and you face problems financially and rent-wise. Most apartment owners require you have a guarantor (read: employer), but you might get lucky. "Lucky" means no guarantor needed, but you will face one of two other probabilities:

1) Places like LeoPalace21 will not require guarantors, but you have to pay for the whole period you plan to stay up front, and that will include a service charge for cleaning.

2) Other places (apartments) will usually require key money deposits, which amount to 2-5 times a month's rent equivalent just to move in, and that will be an empty place (no appliances, furniture, curtains, bedding, utensils, light fixtures, etc.).

[william wallace]

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