Job Discussion Forums

MichiganFan · Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 38

Can anyone who has made the jump from Korea to North Africa share any tips? I'm actively looking for a job coming up next May, and it's time to start the process. Any advice you can give on local regs, recruiters, etc, would be helpful.

I'm 31/M with a BA English and a current (for the moment) teaching credential.

Any issues with having to touch base back home to get a CRC done? I came to Korea under the new rules, so I had to have one done for this job, but it's a hokey countywide one from not even my home state.

Pointers?

TIA.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

I hear Libya will require quite the background check, but Egypt and Morocco arent so uptight about it. Dont ask me about Al-Jazeera or Tunisia, no idea.

As for the move from Korea to NAfrica--- you got me quite envious. But hope to do it soon soon soon.

MichiganFan · Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 38

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Al-Jazeera is "The Peninsula". I think you mean Al Jazayir, usually called Algeria in Modern Standard English.

MichiganFan · Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 38

The weather looks good. The food looks pretty diverse. I'm gonna send out some resumes and see who's biting. I'm gonna post another thread and see if anyone with boots on the ground has their ears on.

With any luck, someone will be hiring for next May.

TwinCentre · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 273 Location: Mokotow

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

too true.
From November to　February it gets cold. A heater would come in handy.
I used to go to the local public bath in Casa in order to stay warm.

Morocco is different than Korea. Instead of going to a convenience store you can find beer hidden behind a curtain, so as not to offend anybody.

Food at people`s homes was quite nice. Better than most restaurants.

MichiganFan · Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 38

Wow, cheers for the responses. It looks like I need to do the following:

1. Find a job (here? if not, where?)
2. Get my return-to-US airfare in cash.
3. Buy ticket to my job.
4. Get my 10 year residency, showing proof of financing and bypassing my job offer altogether.
5. ????
6. Profit?

So once I've got boots on the ground, I've got 15 days to report to the foreign office to apply for my 10-year pass. I'll need to run out and get an HIV test, then I finish up my paperwork, and get approved. Meanwhile, I'm placed in an apartment, put in front of a class, and I just teach the class.

Is there anything I'm missing here?

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

May isn`t a good time. Most work starts in September.

You may prefer working at one of the American Language Centers. They have many schools in the country. They have a website.

You don`t go to to Morocco to make money. I think that university in Ifrane pays the best, but much less than Korea.

Basically you go to Morocco for the cultural experience. It is an easier place to live than Korea, but the low pay is a drag. As long as you have no debts, you will be ok.
The students will be better than in Korea. That is one of the better things.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

TwinCentre · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 273 Location: Mokotow

Wow, it has actually changed, you need an HIV test.

http://casablanca.usconsulate.gov/visareqformorocco.html

(Aids tests are mandatory for all persons (age 15 to 60) wishing to reside in Morocco. The Aids test must be conducted in Morocco at a facility approved by the Moroccan Ministry of Health. A residence permit will not be issued until the absence of the HIV virus has been determined. )

MichiganFan · Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 38

So if I understand the regs correctly, I can walk in with my bank statements and get a 10 year residency on the strength of the fact that I can just plain afford it.

Does anyone know what the cutoff on that amount is? USD $50k? $100k?

medina · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 64 Location: Morocco

Residency in Morocco can be based on a work permit (assuming that you find a job with a place that will get you one), or on marriage (a process that can take at least a year), or --- as you say --- on proving a steady source of income, an option that has to do with more with retirees. In that option, a bank account needs to be opened with --- I've been told --- 10K-15K dollars, then proof must be presented that regular transfers are being made into it from abroad. Depending on the city, the police may also ask you for a police background check from your last address in your home country.

If you're coming here to teach and arrive in May, you will probably find yourself out of work until Fall, as someone already mentioned --- teaching jobs simply don't start in spring or summer --- and even if you were to be hired, the work permit process would take at least a couple of months, necessitating leaving the country and returning at least once. Administrative work pretty much stops completely in August.

Hope this is helpful.