Job Discussion Forums

[paddyroyal]

I have gotten such good counsel on the discussion boards that I�d like to broach another question. How do people go about balancing work and personal priorities?

I have an MA in TESOL and work well with IEP students, university students, visiting scholars, and working professionals. However it seems that working with those population usually takes place in more isolated settings. In the university where I work now (and will be leaving at the end of the semester AFTER I complete my commitment), there is no time or energy to collaborate or create community in the work place. I am completely drained by this experience.

On the other hand, I spent the summer in Guatemala where I found a wonderful community of Spanish teachers to work with. We spent a lot of time together talking about teaching, but teaching the beginners (the prioriorty of the school owner) was very draining for me; it�s just not my forte.

I am in the fortunate position of having some financial flexibility and woud love to find an opportunity to both use my skills and find collegiality and community in Latin America beginning in the fall.

All musings and ideas are welcome.

[elo386]

I guess this isn't directly related to your question, but where are you teaching? It says that you are in Ecuador, and I am curious because I will be moving to Cuenca in a month to teach. Hoping to pursue a MA TESOL when I go back (...IF i go back).

I am as newbie as it gets and can't really answer your question, but I am interested to hear more about your story. Feel free to pm me as this doesn't fully relate to the disc. thread sorry about that but i don't have enough posts to pm yet, ha.
Erin.

[paddyroyal]

I`m in Loja and looking at Cuenca too. I don`t have enough posts to send e-mails or pms either although for some reason I was able to do so several months ago.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]

I`d love to talk.

[naturegirl321]

I don't. I work way too much, most of the time is spent on the bus. Then when I come home I work too, whch is why I'm leaving Peru.

[Justin Trullinger]

Ack. Doesn't sound like too much fun NG.

I'll add my two cents worth:

Working and having the personal life you want is a struggle anywhere- don't see where being in Latin America makes it a lot harder.

It's a struggle for some who try to replicate what they'd earn "back home," when the local economy just doesn't allow for it.

But if you're willing to live here like people who are from here live, you can easily strike a balance.


Best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

I don't live like either. I guess. But in my five years here, we bougth two flats and two SUVs. WEll, first the flat, SUV, SUV, then sold a flat, bought another and sold an SUV. Now we've got one of each.

But the more you earn , the more you spend. Gas money, taxes on the flat add up. By no way do I replicate my life back home, which was living in dorm rooms and then I left, but I try to travel once a year to visit family. And save, a lot.

Ok, I only teach 21 hours, what kills me is that I probably spend the same time on buses and if you've every been to Peru, you know what I mean. Buses mean hanging on for your dear life while they stop five times in one block, not being able to shut the door, and having the person tell you that the bus is empty and cram more in. NO bus cards, but cobradores who charge what they want.

Then I get home and have to clean becuase Lima is super dirty.

[Atlan Training]

Hi PaddyRoyal

My advice would be to be proactive. You need to take the initialtive and create the community you want to be part of. I work in Ecuador every year and my impression is that this is something a lot of people desire. Someone just needs to "do it"

[paddyroyal]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Nature Girl, I don�t know how you do it!

Atlan Training, you�re right, and I appreciate the push. Since I posted, I have "renounced" the position that is draining my energy, have been hired to teach teachers at a private English school, and am working on translations and a translation guide with a professor here.

On reflection I see that it is still difficult for me to go against the established order, even though I know it doesn�t work for me. I just need to keep practicing and trusting that doors will open, and I find that they do keep opening.

[naturegirl321]