Job Discussion Forums

cduffy · Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 4

Hi,

My fiance and I are interested in teaching abroad next year. We are both recent college graduates and are hoping to experience something new for a year.

Can anyone recommend reliable programs/recruiting organizations that place you in a particular country and pay you a monthly salary?

I found CIEE and have heard some good things about it. The program is limited in its placement opportunities though. Does anyone know of a program that runs similarly to CIEE but deals with more countries?

Thanks for your help!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

No, just apply directly to schools. Also do a search on recruiters. they don't have the best rep. CIEE, you have to pay. Footprints might be one of the only ones I'd recommend for newbies. But do NOT pay.

tttompatz

cduffy · Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 4

Thanks for responding to my post, I really appreciate the feedback.

I am just curious as to why CIEE has such a bad reputation? Many of my advisors at college recommended the program. Is it just the cost? Or do you have any personal experience/specific reasons for why it is not a good organization?

Also, the only way that I'm comfortable going abroad is if I have pre-departure job placement. I know a couple of people who travelled to countries and did not find jobs for a few months. I do not have the savings to live for months without a job, so I would like to secure something before I leave. This is why I liked the idea of a recruiting organization. Is there one that is better than CIEE?

Lastly, it seems that I should have a lot of options (outside of Europe). I am a US citizen and have ruled out Europe due to the fact that is hard to get a Visa there. I also have a clean background, nothing to worry about there. In terms of continents, I'm interested in Asia (specifically China) and possibly Latin America (more specifically Costa Rica). Can you give me any advice with this information in mind?

Thanks so much for the help!

tttompatz · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:04 am Post subject:

For Asia:

There are LOTS of recruiters for Asia.
reminder: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER pay a recruiter a fee.
(They are paid by the school to find employees).

Why crap on CIEE? Because they are double dipping (charging you AND they still get paid by the employer).

All recruiters (there are lots out there) do the same job (find you a job and help with the visa application process).

Use as many as you need to find the job you want in the location you want with the benefits you want.

There are LOTS of jobs in Asia.
Korea hires about 15,000 new foreign teachers every year (about 30,000 in the country at any given time).
China expects to hire about 50,000 new teachers this year.
Thailand hires about 10,000 new teachers every year and has about 15,000 legal teachers (visas and work permits) and about 15,000 more without proper visas.
Taiwan hires about 5000 new teachers every year.
the list continues.....

It is EASY to find jobs in China from abroad. Google "SAFEA".
Do your research.

Make sure you have your "Z" visa in your passport BEFORE you get on the plane.

Don't take the first 3000rmb job that is offered.

Spend some time lurking in the China forums. Reading is your friend.

.

cduffy · Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 4

Thanks for the helpful tips about Asia! I see where you're coming from in your criticisms about CIEE.

Does anyone else have any advice/opinions about CIEE? Not necessarily about the cost, but the program.

Thanks!

Courtney