Job Discussion Forums

JMadtown · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Wisconsin

I am currently teaching English in South Korea and my contract is up in 6 months. I would like to teach in another country but unfortunetly my student loans are kind of holding me back. Is it possible to work in another country and save money?? If so, where...

Europe and South America are ideal.
Thanks!

J.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'm afraid that on the European front, it's mostly bad news for you.

First, assuming that you're a US citizen, Western Europe is legally not an option for you. You'd be limited to the 'new' EU countries - Slovakia, Poland, Czech Rep, etc.
Second, wages in Europe in general at the newbie level are subsistence level. No chance to pay off student loans, for sure!
Finally, your experience in Korea wouldn't count for much here, because students/motivations/expectations are very different. You'd be starting at the beginning, and would need a CELTA or equivalent even to be considered for a newbie level job.

Deicide

Global Hobo · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 32

Deicide

evolving81 · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 135 Location: Tampa

I'm in a similar situation...or I will be when I graduate in May and go abroad to teach. Thankfully I'll have an MA in TESOL but from the sounds of some posts it seems like a CELTA would've been sufficient. I know Saudi Arabia would be the best place to go to make money but I'm not sure if I'm up to that. How about Eastern Europe (I'm a US citizen by the way) with an MA in TESOL? Any chance I'd survive with student loans?

Also, I've thought about not paying them, or getting them deferred for a time or something of the sort...at least to give me some time to live abroad and enjoy life.

Deicide · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:45 pm Post subject: Re: me too

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Eastern Europe (I'm a US citizen by the way) with an MA in TESOL? Any chance I'd survive with student loans?

Deicide's right - you're not a newbie, but the money still isn't there, which is why I'm not in Prague with my own MA and 12+ years of experience. You wouldn't be able to make enough to pay off anything, particularly in the current job market.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

JMadtown,
As I understand it, Korean employers pay for your housing, so that is an immense savings right there. I wouldn't expect such a thing from most other countries, so you're going to have to ask yourself two questions:

1) Where is the standard of living high enough to pay a high salary yet allow you to live cheaply?

2) How can you live cheaply? That is, can you? Is your lifestyle such that you can pinch pennies when needed (to pay back loans, e.g.)?

I could tell you that the ME and Japan are often cited as places that many seek to make money. Don't know more about the ME than that, but as for Japan, you can expect to make roughly 250,000 yen/month (at the moment, that's US$2500 or so), and half of it will go to basic necessities. So, that would leave you with roughly 125,000 every month to do with as you please. It's up to you do decide how to blow it or save it. There are ways like immediately sending X dollars home, so that you can't touch it, for starters. The Japan thread is full of advice on a thread I started a while ago, called "cheapskates", and it's up to you to take the suggestions or not.

If you can't save back home, you won't likely be able to save abroad. That's my general theory.

Please also realize that the market in Japan is very flooded right now.

JMadtown · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Wisconsin

Thanks for the helpful info everyone. Didn't want to hear most of it, but best the right info than wrong. Too bad about Europe, such a great place. (Prague)
I like asian countries and everything but I enjoy the European life 10 fold.

Sad

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

You can get a decent salary in Oman (+housing and airfare) without an MA--if you've got a TEFL certificate. It doesn't match your ideal destinations, but you will be able to make your loan payments, save a bit, and still have some fun.

d

Deicide · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:04 am Post subject:

evolving81 · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 135 Location: Tampa

This is likely the wrong place to mention it, but since you brought up Oman... how does it compare to Saudi Arabia? From what I've read about KSA I know I'd make good money and all I'm just not sure if I can live there. I don't mind the lack of alcohol since I don't drink here in the US anyway. Since I have an alternative lifestyle (i.e. gay) I'm skeptical about going to KSA. I'll have a look at the info on that part of the forum though.

Thanks for your advice re: student loans.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:41 pm Post subject:

Dear evolving81,

Oman versus Saudi:

Oman: lower salary (usually) but much more congenial environment.

However, you should be aware that "alternate lifestyles" are not tolerated anywhere in the Gulf. You would need to be VERY discrete no matter which country you were in.

Regards,
John

Deicide · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:36 pm Post subject: