Job Discussion Forums

[fieldsofbarley]

Hi folks,

I�m considering moving to Belarus over the summer. I�ve had a couple of positive replies from employers. Both are willing to sponsor a working visa for me, however, with regards to salaries, they�re expecting me to give them a number.

What would be a decent wage in Minsk, if I had to pay for my own accommodation too? I�ve read threads on this forum claiming that $1000 a month are not enough and I�m having a hard time to believe it! I guess comparisons are not a good idea, but I�m currently living in Mexico City on less than $500 a month.

In your opinion, what would be a reasonable salary range?

[BenE]

Hi

I'm working in Minsk Belarus at the moment for the only school that officially employs foreign teachers.

If you're looking to work here and pay for a flat then you'd need at a minimum of about $500 a month to live on. I'm assuming with the following with that number:

-You should have to pay around $250 p/m for a basic flat if you rent locally
- You're having to pay your own visa fees

Belarus is quite cheap to live in and a lot cheaper than Russia sounds. Just remember not to go out drinking in the city centre too often and you'd be fine. If you earn $1000 a month then you can save quite easily.

[fieldsofbarley]

Thank you. Just a question, are you talking about IH?

[coledavis]

There are two places that officially take foreign teachers, although both have the annoying habit of saying that the other one can't.

[TwinCentre]

A bit off topic, but I was invited to Belarus last summer as a member of a Goth Metal band - to play at a festival in Rechitsa, in the south, just 70 miles from Chenobyl.

Our set-list had to be officially approved before we signed the contract to play there...and they were pretty ruthless....no way could we play our minor hit 'Jihad'...lol

It was a real hoot, people seemed surprisingly friendly, and it appeared to be dead cheap. Thought the food was rank, but the beer pretty good. We got followed wherever we went, and it was funny trying to lose the plain-clothed militia around town...think we succeeded at one point. It was fun watching how they reacted when we made it clear that we knew we were being cased lol...

Rechitsa was very clean, and actually quite a nice town, We also stopped by in Brest, enjoyed that too.

I have taught EFL in many different countries, and I can see why teachers would be curious about working in Belarus. If you are young and fancy an experience...why not go for it for a year...I also knew teachers who worked at IH in Minsk, and...well...all the guys seemed to enjoy it...read into that what you will.

I'd be curious to hear from more teachers on the ground there, anyone in the provinces?

Oh, should mention, I unintentionally grew a beard before going there...and wondered why everyone made such a fuss over it...later found out that having one is a symbol of being a supporter of the opposition.

Those anti-communists were sure a laugh, they insisted on driving the band around everywhere! Will never forget them...I will probably never see them again, but my heart goes out to them for the enthusiasm they showed to us and life in general...I think about them almost every day.

[maruss]

My experiences there were over ten years ago and I also have friends in Brest who I stayed with but that's another story!However,the situation in Belarus recently has deteriorated alarmingly and I feel sorry for the people there.Perhaps our friend in Minsk can give us an accurate update on how things are?

[coledavis]

From what I understand, there is a currency crisis and this is directly affecting livelihoods. Given that teachers get a rather rough time economically in Minsk, I can't see it being good for teflers.

[BenE]

Nope it's pretty grim. I wouldn't recommend it as a place to go unless you want your salary to drop every week. Anyway not many schools will be recruiting this year as demand has dropped like a stone.