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Cambodia to Costa Rica - a good move?
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nnmartin



Joined: 25 Sep 2011
Posts: 27
PostPosted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:51 am    Post subject: Cambodia to Costa Rica - a good move? Reply with quote
Hello all,

I have been living in South East Asia for the last 6 years teaching English (Cambodia and Thailand). I am thinking of having a change and giving Costa Rica a try.

A quick lowdown on how it is out here - $1000 / month salary easily obtained (25hrs/week.) Cost of living here very cheap, about half of that in CR from what I can research.

Anyway, I have a CELTA but no degree (though am currently doing an on-line degree).

Any ideas as to whether it is worth the move or not? I am aware I will have to put up with a pay cut in effect and having spent a considerable time in developing countries am not especially looking for the 'ethnic experience' .

How easy would it be to get work in the thousand dollar range without a degree anyway?

thanks
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globalcitizen1968



Joined: 03 Oct 2011
Posts: 34
PostPosted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 1:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Cambodia to Costa Rica - a good move? Reply with quote
nnmartin wrote:
How easy would it be to get work in the thousand dollar range without a degree anyway?


Laughing Laughing Good one amigo! Even if you could get that in CR it would fluctuate every month most likely. You see, Latin America is not a good place to go if you are looking to make money. Try Japan or the Middle East.

Let me tell you what happens in Mexico, especially Mexico City...you won't get paid on time. I know someone who is working for the SEP in Mexico City right now and they have been waiting to get paid since August!! True story.

Do you want to wait two months to get your check?? Any plans on how you will pay rent during that time? Language schools in Mexico City are also known to hardly ever pay on time or if they do it is not the full amount. So, not getting paid on time is just one problem you will face in Latin America amigo.

Another problem is the salaries are VERY LOW in EFL, especially in Mexico City. Again, you're better off in Japan or the Middle East, but you will most likely need a Masters for the Middle East. If you go anywhere in Latin America, make sure you take a TON of savings with you because the salaries in EFL are VERY LOW here, especially in Mexico City, and you may have to WAIT FOR MONTHS to get paid.

Good luck my friend.
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jprimm



Joined: 03 Aug 2007
Posts: 91
PostPosted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You are correct in your cost comparisons. I think you would have a very hard time finding work without a college degree. I would suggest you stay put until you get your degree.
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spanglish



Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 742
Location: working on that
PostPosted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
International House seems to have a decent branch in Costa Rica. I doubt they care if you have a degree, but contact them to be sure. With a few years of post-CELTA experience, I think you'd be able to get hired on with them.
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nnmartin



Joined: 25 Sep 2011
Posts: 27
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
GlobalCitizen: From what you say Mexico doesn't sound so great but is this also the case in CR?

Even with degree the pay doesn't seem so good for the general Tefl teacher in CR - is it really worth coming over to look for work - how about just a holiday instead?

Living out here in Cambodia on $1000 / month with the low cost of living is fine but even so one still has to be careful with expenses and live modestly.
To earn less in a more expensive country doesn't sound too appealing yet I still would like to give it a try.

any words of infinite wisdom from those living out in CR?

thanks
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AGoodStory



Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Posts: 738
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 1:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
nnmartin wrote:
GlobalCitizen: From what you say Mexico doesn't sound so great but is this also the case in CR?



OP, you might want to get the opinions of more credible posters before accepting this at face value.
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globalcitizen1968



Joined: 03 Oct 2011
Posts: 34
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
nnmartin wrote:
GlobalCitizen: From what you say Mexico doesn't sound so great but is this also the case in CR?


It's the case in Latin America in general mt friend. I have known people who taught in Mexico (I did myself) Central and South America and I can tell you that the salaries ar LOW. There really is no way around that FACT. I'm etlling you what my friends who used to LIVE and WORK in these palces have told me and I lived in Mexico City FOR YEARS teaching EFL.

Latin America and especially Mexico and Mexico City, do NOT pay. I would stay put and as far as living modest...you have to get used to that as long as you're doing a JOB that has very little regulations. Head to Japan or South Korea...developed countries.
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Guy Courchesne



Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 11:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
Latin America and especially Mexico and Mexico City, do NOT pay. I would stay put and as far as living modest...you have to get used to that as long as you're doing a JOB that has very little regulations. Head to Japan or South Korea...developed countries.


Have to agree with AGoodStory and Glenski here...better to get info from the people here with experience in Costa Rica, or Japan or Korea for that matter. First up, no degree means both Japan and South Korea are pretty much out.

Mexico, and Mexico City in particular are about the only places in LA where making $1000 a month are possible without a degree but with exp. and the CELTA. There was an odd reference to SEP (public education) which doesn't apply to you, but private colegios working with kids is possible if you have some experience in this area. You can get over $1000 a month there.

But since you didn't ask about Mexico...

I don't think you can get up $1000 in Costa Rica...$600 to $750 is more likely. Best wait for a poster in Costa Rica to firm up that detail though.
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globalcitizen1968



Joined: 03 Oct 2011
Posts: 34
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 11:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
nnmartin wrote:
GlobalCitizen: From what you say Mexico doesn't sound so great but is this also the case in CR?


Remember amigo, I had a friend who taught and lived there for a little over five years and HE is the one who told me to avoid CR like the plague. And remember something very important about Mexico and Mexico City...salaries are late most of the time and the rest of the time you may not get paid the full amount they iwe you.

So, again....take a LOT of savings with you if you decide to go to Mexico City or LA to teach EFL. You'll need it...for everything.
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