Job Discussion Forums

[jestert79]

I know a thread like this pops up once in awhile, but I just wanted to tell (or maybe vent) my story.

So, after 3 years of EFL finishing with a full year contract in Vietnam, I was feeling a bit burned out on the whole "living abroad" thing, and after coming home, decided I want to go for my Master's. The program I'm looking into is in Curriculum and Instruction; with it you get certified to teach in public schools.

Problems!

1) Health insurance!

2) Suddenly needing a car + car insurance! (Annoyingly, my car got totaled right before I left for Vietnam.)

3) The complete irrelevance of overseas experience to US employers. It's funny, everyone I talk to says "Wow, that's a great experience, I'm sure people will be falling over each other trying to hire you because of it."

I've been to one language school that claims it has "its own method" and therefore, any past teaching experience is deemed irrelevant. So that means if I teach there, I get paid the same rate ($13/hour) as any random person walking in off the street with a degree.

Another school pays a bit better, but even so, despite a CELTA and 3 years experience I get paid $1 less per hour than someone who has a Master's - in anything! So if someone has a Master's in like, Finance and no EFL experience they still get paid more than me.

4) One lucky thing is I'm living back with the parents so they're not charging me rent. But it's hard to go from being very independent to getting told off for not having my room tidy, ha ha.

Okay, thanks for listening. Er, reading.

[rusmeister]

[chinagirl]

I'd be curious to find out what other "reentry" American teachers have been doing for health insurance until they find employment that offers it. I will be going from a national health plan to - well, NO health plan, next spring. And the school year won't start until September but I have to be in country for interviews.

Anyone have a stopgap health ins. plan they could recommend?

[jestert79]

I just signed up with Blue Cross Blue Shield. $177/month. Luckily I have money saved up, but I'm chewing through it quite fast. I can't seem to find any work. A language school offered me a good amount of hours and then suddenly, two days in, said "Oh, we don't really need you," so I'm getting one class a day (and have to drive across town to teach it.)

[fraup]

Re ESL teaching in the U.S.--have you tried www.usajobs.com?

[sweeney66]

Well, when I return to the US, I plan to do exactly as I've always done for health insurance. Nothing! Don't get sick and pray Obama makes it happen!
Never had it in my life. I've paid out of pocket for eyeglasses and dental, used university clinics and planned parenthood for checkups. I believe it's worked out cheaper in the long run.

[chinagirl]

Sweeny 66, that is a very risky proposition you're offering.

If you suddenly got very sick and needed surgery, you'd be SOL. If you got into an accident and had to have a bone set, it would also be expensive. Getting pregnant and having a child with health complications - also a possible issue with no insurance.

My spouse is in a field that is somewhat risk-prone. I can't afford to risk our life savings and not have any health insurance. I'm going to look into basic Blue Cross and see what is offered.

[Sherri]

I found it was hard to get insurance without a local address. If you have a pre-existing condition (like my husband and daughter) then you have almost no chance at all of getting insurance unless it is through an employer. I ended up getting private insurance through Kaiser using a friend's address as my local address. My husband and daughter had to go with travel insurance until we could sort something out for them after arriving.

After spending the last 25 years in countries with a national health system (UK and Japan) I had a really hard time getting my head around the American system. We really do need a change. What we have now is not working at all.

Sherri

[parrothead]

Let's hope Americans finally get a decent healthcare overhaul under the new administration. It's embarassing to have 50 million fellow countrymen, women and children without coverage.
Public works infrastructure too. We are 50 years overdue.

[john_n_carolina]

...Maine, has great public health insurance. Just make sure you don't make alot and stay under the limit. Work at Denny's and teach on the side

[ReeseDog]

[johnslat]

Yee-haw, let's rope in those kiddies:

"Since August 2007, the House has voted at least seven times for legislation to expand the popular State Children�s Health Insurance Program. Prior efforts were thwarted by the Bush White House, which pressed wavering House Republicans to stand firm against the legislation.

The program, created with bipartisan support in 1997, is intended for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private health insurance.

The new bill originated in the House. On Wednesday, the House accepted minor changes made by the Senate, where the bill was approved last week by a vote of 66 to 32, with support from 9 of the 41 Republicans.

The Congressional Budget Office says the bill will enable states to cover more than four million uninsured children by 2013, while continuing coverage for seven million youngsters. The bill will increase tobacco taxes to offset the increase in spending, estimated at more than $32 billion over four and a half years.

[sweeney66]

Even Mexico has national health. It's a right.

[Chancellor]

[johnslat]

Dear Chancellor,
I'm a little confused. Where in the Constitution does is forbid decent healthcare for all Americans?
Regards,
John