Job Discussion Forums

[rpc]

Greetings.

While working as a musician on a cruise ship in the Pacific, I discovered Lahaina, Maui and fell in love. After my contract on the ship ended, I moved to Lahiana, where I lived for three months. Needless to say (to anyone who's lived there), I felt like I was on vacation, even when I was working, felt like I was living in a painting, topographically, and felt like I was being rejuvenated from the soul outward. I only left because I couldn't afford to live there.

Since then, I've saved $7,000 for the purposes of obtaining my CELTA and transitioning to the country where I'll be using it. I've researched a number of CELTA courses and have concluded that the ones offered in either Central or South America would best lend themselves to my finding work upon completion. I've also researched the climates, beaches, currency exchange rates, costs of living, public safety, popular tourist draws and general suitability of virtually every country South of the U.S.-Mexico border.

What I haven't been able to distinguish is the boots-on-the-ground perspective for each country, region, city, beach, etc; and, obviously, that perspective can't reasonably be gained from the comfort of a personal computer in Sacramento, California. This leads me to my question: Is there another Maui, so to speak, in the world? Specfically, is there a place where I can recapture the magic I felt when I realized that I could not only accept the fine, red Hawaiian dirt saturating the bottoms of my feet, but preferred it? Are there beaches with clean white sand, grading in to turquoise water, beneath an 80-degree sun? Are the palm trees as majestic? Are the clouds so surreal, being not only white, but neon white? Do they pass by gently, not interfering with the sunlight? Do carmel-skinned locals chuckle at the Midwestern U.S. tourists for wearing socks? Will the tropical fish let me chase them? Will the culture shock actually be pleasant, patiently teaching me the miracle of being less uptight? Are there other Americans with whom I can congregate? And most importantly, will I feel Mother Earth herself, rocking me like a newborn in the saline Pacific bath water of the Hawaiian coast?

Can that be found anywhere else on earth? If so, can I sustain myself, financially, in that place? Are there real, live jobs teaching English in such a place, versus "It might be do-able" types of jobs?

Is there a Maui for those who can't afford to live on Maui?

Thanks.

[naturegirl321]

Some people would say SE Asia might fit the bill. Maybe Thailand?

[Zero]

The life you seek is widely available, for those with net worth of about US $7.7 million.

There are expert posts at Dave's about Saipan and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but it didn't sound like anybody was really getting ahead financially.

Island life is expensive because things must be imported. The economies tend to be profoundly weak, so there's typically a larger buddy such as the U.S. or Great Britain pouring in money. A few local families wedge themselves in as the main beneficiaries, i.e. corruption is rampant. The rest of the population lives on the scraps. So you get high unemployment, high poverty, high obesity because people just kind of sit around, and lots of social problems. Family networks are extensive, and strong, so that serves as a safety net.

It's hard to come in and exist on a working person's salary. In U.S. territories certain federal government government jobs pay well. Overall I'd say few teachers make a go of island life. I like the Thailand suggestion, as I too have heard that route is pretty doable. However, Thailand is still not known as one of the better-paying locales.

[tttompatz]

to the OP:

It (the choices to make your dream come true) largely depend on YOUR qualifications.

If all you can bring to the table is a CELTA and an American passport then your options are largely limited and the pay as an ESL teacher will usually be subsistence at best (anywhere on the planet).

If you add a degree to the mix (degree + CELTA + white face and American passport) then many more doors open and it becomes do-able.

South East Asia is probably your best start if you have a degree.

You won't get rich on entry level wages (which is where all newbies start) but you can get by in reasonable comfort.

As you add some experience (and continued professional development) under your belt you can start to move up the food chain by picking and choosing jobs with better packages to where it becomes comfortable with a nice lifestyle, savings and travel during your extended (3-4 month paid) annual vacations.

.

[Scott R]

This is a suggestion not based on experience, but what about someplace like Vietnam where you could get started. Maybe, in a small beach town with no tourists. Lower cost of living and lower competition for jobs.

[rpc]

[Perilla]

I know South America quite well, having spent a year wandering around it once upon a time. I'd say that nowhere fits your description down the west coast, but a few places might get near it on the other side, particularly in Brazil.

The problem is, as someone pointed out, most places that answer this description tend to be poor - and they're beautiful because they haven't been developed or corrupted by the filthy lucre. Ergo, there isn't much money around and people can't afford to pay [much] for English lessons.

The places that get closest to your paradise and which actually offer some work - probably in southeast Asia - will also be places where the modern world has invaded.

I'd say the lower the salary you're prepared to take, the better the chances of you finding this sort of place. The less trodden coastal parts of Vietnam may well be your best bet, or perhaps Indonesia. Thailand has lost it, IMO a la The Beach.

[Zero]

I am not experienced in any island or tropical area. I only know what I've read and what I've heard from others.

It's probably all going to come down to your financial needs.

-If you have other income or resources to support you (it does not sound like this is the case), there are plenty of places that meet your description.

-If you want to make a wage that will support you, probably any of several locations in Southeast Asia. When all is said and done, you probably won't save much. But if you stay for several years and establish connections, get experience etc., you might do OK financially.

-If you find a dreamy tropical location where the money is excellent right off the bat, let me know. I'll join you.

[rpc]

Well, after some investigation, it's looking like I might need to choose a different industy to work in. I have a misdemeanor assault charge, from a 2009 bar fight, and several traffic tickets, including a Driving While Suspended charge, which was originally a criminal charge but got dropped to a traffic charge. The assalt charge is the lowest charge possible: Assault 4, or "simple assault." Still, the literature I've been reading online suggests that it may be a deal breaker in this profession.

So much for teaching EFL.

I may just pick a tropical country with the best balance between quality of living and price that I can find and move there, with hopes of finding a job doing something. I'll buy a plane ticket home, just in case, and stretch my $7,000 as far as I can. The worst that can happen is that I'll come back to the U.S. broke. Actually, the worst that could happen is that I could get kidnapped and tortured to death by FARC or whomever; but statistics show a significantly higher risk in driving my car to the grocery store.

Thanks, to you who offered insight.

[tttompatz]

[Zero]

[Perilla]

I have two records (potted plants and being involved in a riot in the UK) going back to the 80s but so far as I know it hasn't ever prevented me from getting a job. I've worked for the UK govt and local authorities, the South Korean govt, private language schools and three universities in HK.

[wiganer]

I always found that once you 'find Maui' that it becomes part of the humdrum pretty quick - if you are getting up in the morning to an alarm clock then it is the work situation that makes life bearable or not.

I like this life but not everyone is cut out for it - however much they want it. The reason I think people burn out in places like Korea for example (where people can earn a decent wage to splurge) is because they use their money to go to other places and do other activities like they are on holiday when the reality is they are working a 40 hour week more often than not.

When I was working in Buenos Aires - I wanted my weekends to rest, not to go traipsing around the Patagonian fjords or spending my weekends in Rio - that was the last thing I wanted to do. It's nice to live abroad and teach English but it is what it is in the end - a job.

[varreli]

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[varreli]