Job Discussion Forums

Global-Hobo · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 37

Hi Colombia Board,

I have a question for you wise heads.

Is Bogota the only city where I can find a language institute to pay for my work visa? I would rather go somewhere within Colombia that is a bit warmer.

I have two degrees, one in English and Education and the other is a degree in English Language for Secondary Education, I also have an ICELT (In-Service CELTA with 120 hours teaching practice). I have a couple of years experience in Asia also, so I feel relatively confident I'll do well at interview stage but I've read that a lot of places are unwilling to pay the visa costs.

I'll be arriving in Colombia with only a little money and would have to find a place that's willing to at least pay the costs initially and then take it out of my wages.

Thanks,
GH

JacobTM · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 73 Location: New York

As far as language institutes, I believe so.

However, Universities and international schools however, can definitely get you a visa, and I know several people with CELTAs who are doing this right now, working at a bilingual school on their visa.

Unfortunately most schools hire well in advance, so you�d have to come down here in a couple months to find a school that would hire you for February. Every once in a while a vacancy lets someone jump in mid-term, but that�s just luck.

windowlicker · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 183 Location: Bogot�, Colombia

Global-Hobo · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 37

windowlicker · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 183 Location: Bogot�, Colombia

Do yourself and Colombia a favor and have some savings before you come here. At least enough to get you through two months and pay for a flight home if things don't work out.

I have seen others receive pay advances, but these have been teachers that have been with the school for a little while, not people that just walked in off the street and wanted not only a job, but payment upfront.

In Colombia, we have a saying: "Don't give papaya." This means don't give people the opportunity to take advantage of you. Giving an advance to a teacher who hasn't even started working yet is definitely giving papaya.

Global-Hobo · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 37

Fair enough. If I arrive on the ground with $2000, is that enough? Maybe I can pay for my own visa out of that. Flying 'home' is not something I ever do.

G22 · Joined: 25 Oct 2010 Posts: 89

JonnyBravo · Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Bogota, Colombia

Yeah.... the first 3 weeks I was in town I went out almost every night.. and by out I mean to 'Zona Rosa' where, as the other folks on this board will tell you, stuff is no longer Colombian cheap. I did get over that very quickly and started working my tail off and barely going out. I'm just saying, if you're susceptible to making that mistake upon arrival, add another 500-1000 to your startup funds.