Job Discussion Forums

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

Who this BKC outfit belongs to and who is in charge of it now??(Mind you,as we saw in part three of Jonathan Dimbleby's excellent documentary series on Russia when he asked those questions at a flashy sports centre in Samara he was quickly asked to leave and understood he was no longer welcome!!)

sarahrempe · Joined: 03 Nov 2009 Posts: 11

OK, so all over the world, it's getting harder to get work visa's for ESL teachers. I know, I've been looking for the last 6 months.

1. Has anyone actually been to the Russian consulate in Kiev and gone thru the process-does it really take 10 business days, and does anyone think or know if it will be more difficult to process with the new regulations?

2. Kiev really isn't that pricey if you are willing to stay at a backpackers, cook some of your own meals, and not drink every night. I was there a month ago and this info is correct.

3. Will it be possible for the McSchools to get teachers on proper work visas (not business visas) in the future-2011?

4. If one gets the original 3 month visa in the US, is it possible to get a follow up 3 month visa in Kiev?

Lets pool our resources and try to get the right info on this. Cheers.

vanillasky · Joined: 02 Nov 2009 Posts: 32

BKC:

hnb1 · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 6

i was planning on taking a celta course next month, and russia is really the only country where i want to teach. with all this visa mess, should i not waste my time and money on the celta if getting a long term job in russia now will be nearly impossible? Sad

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject:

Dunno. Impossible to say right now. But one thing is for certain, getting your CELTA in Moscow will not be a waste of time or money, and there is always a way around whatever mad law is enacted here. Just don't count on BKC for employment at the moment.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

Taking a CELTA course is a good decision in principle but whether you should do it in Russia or somewhere else is very debatable!As I have said before,NEVER, but Never-presume anything about Russia because things can-and often do-change there without warning!!Perhaps this is what attracts some people to the place as they find the uncertainty challenging and exciting and it also reflected in the mentality of many Russian people towards consumer spending etc:buy it now because you may not have the money or it may not be available tomorrow!
The confusion with the new visa rules is just another typical example of how things work-of course it will be sorted out one way or another but how and when is anyones guess?
Even though it is also true that the Mac schools like BKC will have problems because of this,there is still PLENTY of teaching work to be found in places like Moscow,as those who have long-term residency and know the ropes and contacts will no doubt confirm!Russians still want to learn English,perhaps even more so with the economic recession because it is seen as a means of getting a better paid job in a foreign form or even abroad.

evelopez · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 46

Hi, guys. Unfortunately, I won't be able to regale you with any more horror stories from the trenches of BKC teachers. I lost my passport and had to go get a new one from the US Embassy. When I spoke to BKC about how to get a new visa, they told me that they are unable to issue ANY visas - not work visas, not business visas - to ANYONE. Not even people who work here. The director said the the Russian government is now only issuing exit visas to people like me who are stupid enough to lose their passport. This is happening to another teacher, too. So, I'm effectively out of a job and have to leave the country in a couple of weeks.

rusmeister · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

evelopez · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 46

Thanks, Russmeister. I had a run of very good luck the first few months I was here - but it's been downhill since then. I guess I am now officially a worst-case scenario poster child.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

It is often said that everything that happens to us in life is for a reason and from my own experiences I would agree with that!
I didn't end my time in Russia on quite such a low as you or lose my passport etc,but as I subsequently discovered,it was just as well both for me and the friends I was staying with that I left when I did.(I won't go into this on the forum though).
But just like me,I am sure there are many things you will want to remember for good reasons too and they tend to be the smaller ones, but so significant when you evaluate them later?People you met,places you saw etc etc....
Life is a journey for all of us and I think we often spend a lot of it trying to work out where our destination really is......but I will leave you to ponder that for yourself and feel that Rusmeister may understand my line of thought!
Meanwhile,have a very good Christmas whatever you are doing and I hope 2010 brings you everything you wish for.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us on this site(and for your p.m.'s)and do keep in touch and let us know how you get on.
Cheers for now!