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ElAvilaMahoney
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 17
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 Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject: Some help! First timer (newbie)!! |
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Well, how do I start my first post, and first plea for assistance...
My name is Brendan, I'm 23 years old with a few years of college but no Univ. degree. I recently got my TEFL online through i-to-i.com. I plan on going to Latin America to find a job. From what I understand, it isn't completely necessary to hold a Univ. degree to teach in LA..is this true? It's my biggest concern...From what I've read the private schools are the employers interested in seeing Univ. degrees, is this true?
I already speak Spanish 100% fluently, I lived in Caracas for 3 years when I was very young, so it stayed in my head nicely and I even lack the gringo accent! Woohoo! I am planning a trip, with one-way ticket to Guatemala, in January. From there I plan on traveling CentAm until Panama..then flying to Ecuador. (Bypassing Colombia for security reasons).
So I guess I'm asking for suggestions on where to go, where to teach, what to expect in the job markets in LA..is there anyone that could offer me some helpful advice? I'd truly appreciate it!
Thanks everyone who took the time to read this. Cheers, Brendan. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| From what I've read the private schools are the employers interested in seeing Univ. degrees, is this true? |
For the better jobs, yes. They'll also prefer experience. You might be best served by looking into a language school.
Also, a uni degree may be needed to be issued a work permit in your selected country, though, it does seem common practice to work on a tourist visa and do border runs in many places in LA. |
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Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2041
Location: A World of my Own
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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I posted my reply in the general discussion forum  |
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ElAvilaMahoney
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
| it does seem common practice to work on a tourist visa and do border runs in many places in LA. |
I'm not quite sure what this means? what is a border run? |
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ElAvilaMahoney
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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How frustrating! I thought it was as simple as getting a TEFL Certificate, being a native English speaker, and going down there and finding a job!?
Ahhhh my whole plan is down the drain!!!!! <jumps off the edge> |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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Don't give up hope...it simply isn't quite as easy as they sold it to you (I suspect).
By border run, I meant that when your tourist visa expires, you cross a land border into a neighboring country, stay 2 or 3 days, then re-enter, obtaining a new visa. This is pretty common in Central America and some South American countries. If you check through the Latin America country forums, you'll find a number of threads dealing with this topic.
As I mentioned in your other topic, working under the table is illegal, so do be careful if you do it. |
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ElAvilaMahoney
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
| By border run, I meant that when your tourist visa expires, you cross a land border into a neighboring country, stay 2 or 3 days, then re-enter, obtaining a new visa. This is pretty common in Central America and some South American countries. If you check through the Latin America country forums, you'll find a number of threads dealing with this topic. |
Ahh ok, yes I've heard of people doing this. It sounds like something I may end up having to do.
Like I said in my other topic, I'm really not interested in making loads of money. It's just about living abroad, gaining a small living to survive on, and be able to take in the cultural entertainment that I lack in the USA. Hopefully I get lucky somewhere on my journey. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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You'll most likely do fine. It's good to be aware that in your position you're not going to make oodles of cash. Some people come down with other ideas unfortunately. Picking this part of the world is always going to more about the lifestyle change and experiencing the culture, which in my opinion is second to none.
Last piece of advice I can think of...make sure you're bankrolled enough to get through the first month or two before landing a job. The first paycheque might not be in for a little while until you settle in. |
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ElAvilaMahoney
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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Give me some numbers Guy!
I've already got my plane ticket paid for down to Guatemala....probably going to be holding around $3000 US....
Plan on traveling from Guate to ES then to HON, then NIC, then CR, then PAN....about a week in each country more or less.. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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