Job Discussion Forums

[tortoise]

I want to make a general overview of places to teach in the world. I have taught in Japan and in Poland. I am American.

Western Europe- great but cannot easily get a job here without an EU passport, that rules out Australians, New Zealanders and americans and Canadians. Oy vey. I have my first experience of discrimination in the job market! This leaves Asia and Latin America and the middle east, primarily, and any jobs there may be in Africa, as well as Eastern Europe

Asia- is a big place. I am thinking of East Asia from Japan to Indonesia. I am scared of the big asian city, full of noise, hot and humid. I don't want to live in such a place. I am also afraid of getting stuck in hot humid rural places, or places with junk food only or no even simple whole foods for a vegetarian.

Eastern Europe- seems interesting. A completely different language but similar culture to the English speaking world. The only caucasian culture open to a non European English teacher without high qualifications, I imagine. I like the culture, Slavic tradition, but cold everywhere in winter.

Africa- I don't know of a big job market here.

Middle East- I see there are a lot of jobs being advertized on some lists. High qualifications are needed. A part of me is really attracted, but a big part is scared- hot desert lifestyle, either strict islamic culture or else modern urban city. I like a lot about Islamic and arab culture, but a lot I might not like. Pay might be well but it might be based on industry, in oil rich countries, so that they can be US like. I don't know.

I don't really know much about the places I write. They are largely my stereotypes, I know, and I want to learn more, and study more, yet the only real way to cure them is to go there. Almost every place has things unique that I like, and things I am afraid about. I don't want to go to a harsh place in terms of climate, a place where only meat is available, or a place of low consciousness and urban madness. Europe would be nice but I can't get in, they are too conservative. I've taught already in Eastern Europe.

Latin America- a diverse group of cultures, all similar to each other in some extent and different though in various aspects. A big place, a big geo-region, all bound by the same language, Espanol. I have seen so little of this and would love to have seen more. Climates in the mountains or elsewhere can be found to my liking. Yet nobody my own race or heritage if I were single and wanted to find someone to date or marry that had the same tradition and background, which whatever anyone says is justifiable. One could get lonely. It seems an interesting place but is a long distance to travel for anyone stationed in Europe or Australia.

Is there anywhere with a conscious culture, full of progressives, greenies, organic gardening type of people or culture, small population centers, not giant masses? A place like Germany, where I am now, would be nice Whenever I go to an asian city, there is noise, chaos and stress that I don't even want to adapt to. Noise simply for the sake of noise and kids in the internet cafes playing video games and nobody ever giving me privacy to walk down the street. Yet Asia at the same time fascinates me, maybe vietnam or some rural region in china, neither of which I've been. Ach ja thank you all for letting me think out loud, which is what I often do on forums.

[bharrell]

I only know about China firsthand. I can't think of anyplace in China that would meet your needs. I know friends who work at Unis in small towns that they describe as quiet, but cultural meccas they are not. Big cities you would hate because of the swarming masses, but they are where the semblances of civilization are. I certainly think you could make more money here. Unless you go to one of the international cities at first, China can be quite a shock. I moved here from Kiev, and liked Beijing. But crowded and noisy it is.

[MotherF]

[denise]

[tortoise]

[Isla Guapa]

[Glenski]

You said you have taught in Japan before, but you should also have realized that Japan is not all big cities. Get on the JET program, and you will end up in a rural environment, most of the time. Greenie enough for you?

Question.
What do you mean by "progressives"?

[tttompatz]