Job Discussion Forums

[tsm174]

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could get some advice on this. Right now my girlfriend and I are working in Korea, trying to get some experience under our belts, and when our contract is up it will be 1 year. We're both American, and both certified in TEFL. I have a degree in English from Penn State and she has one in Internation Studies from American U. She's also fluent in Spanish, while mine is pretty meger. What are the odds of us actually getting a job in a place like Italy, Spain or Greece? From what I've read so far it's slim to none, leaning towards none. Any advice on how to help our chances (besides "become a citizen") would be greatly appreciated. I'm also wondering about saving money while working in Europe. Is it possible? Thanks in advance guys

[spiral78]

The short answers are 'no' and 'no.'

Your chances of getting legally employed in the countries you mentioned are essentially nil.

Working under the table has become a very poor option, as, if you are caught overstaying your 90 day touist allowance (standard for North Americans and Aussies), you will be banned from the Schengen zone for 10 years. Border officials at airports and train stations (even busses, in some cases!) are quite seriously checking out passport stamps for this these days.

The economy here is also in the tank. There is a surplus of qualified British (hence, legal) teachers applying for the lessening number of positions opening.

As for saving any money, this has been difficult to impossible (with your basic qualifications) for a long time. Cost of living here is just too high - you can make enough to get by, but not much more. It's subsistence level.

Consider other options.

[tsm174]

Thanks for the reply Spiral, that's pretty much the answer I was expecting. So, looking ahead a few years, is there any path I can start myself on to get there? Also (I realize I'm reeeeaaallly grasping at straws here) does having a grandmother from the UK help in any, even remote, way?

[ITTP]

I think the questions can be answered more objectively if we consider specific countries and not just sweeping Europe generalizations.

It IS possible to find work illegally AND legally in Spain, Italy and Greece.
It is almost impossible to find teaching work on the coast, where the over qualified Brits tend to choose to park themselves, but in cities such as Madrid, Athens and Rome you will find teaching work BUT it is a lot more difficult than finding work in the former Soviet bloc countries which now make up Central and Eastern Europe.
It is still comparatively easy to find work in Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, etc.

Spiral78 sometimes makes it seem like we are living in the midst of World War II Europe with passports being checked at every opportunity.
There are many reports on local country forums of a freedom of movement for N.American citizens through most areas of Europe and this is backed up by reports from our own grads who have traveled to and from Prague well past their 3 month tourist visa deadline and who haven't been checked at all once passport control can see the type of passport which they have.

It IS wise though to make sure that you don't overstay your tourist visa because technically you can be banned from Schengen travel but currently it appears that these laws are not being strictly exercised in this region of Europe towards N.Americans. Now if you are an illegal immigrant from either Eastern Europe/ Western Asia or N.Africa then that's another story.

Have a great weekend!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

[tsm174]

Ok, thanks a lot ITTP. It is nice to know that it's not a complete waste of effort to try. I would like to avoid staying illegally, so basically my only option is to go there for the 3 months and try to find a job at the risk of not finding one and spending a lot of money in the process. Does anyone have an estimate by chance for a 3 month stay in Rome, Madrid or Athens (I'm just using those cities as examples)? I'm thinking about food and a place to stay for that time. Thanks again! Everyone has been very helpful.

[ITTP]

[spiral78]

It IS possible to find work illegally AND legally in Spain, Italy and Greece.

Neville, would you please elaborate on just exactly how a US citizen with basic qualifications and experience can get legal jobs in these countries? Outside of university exchange schemes and marrying a local, I (and the regular posters on the above country forums) don't know of any.

I think you're giving the OP unrealistic ideas about his chances of landing a legal job in Spain, Italy, or Greece this August/September. Before you encourage someone to put up the expense of flights and accomodations, you should give some substantive information to support your encouragement.

Of course, US citizens CAN work legally in the other countries you mention. I, too, encourage people to try them.

Yes, border officials ARE getting much more alert to overstays of visas. There are regular checks at the international train platforms of major stations in many Western European countries these days - as you are based full-time in the CR, maybe you haven't encountered much of this. But as someone who lives part time in the CR and most-time these days in Netherlands, I and many of my friends and acquaintances and work colleagues do travel regularly in these regions. It's not worth the risk anymore.

[ITTP]

We have 2 grads teaching in France right now.
I am not sure how they arranged their papers but I know they are both legal.
In Italy i am also aware that schools will often have teachers down officially as students.
Basically, where there's a will there's a way and the will is still strong even in countries such as Spain and Italy.

However, I did clearly state that it is not easy finding work at all in this region BUT it is possible and that it is much easier finding work in Central and Eastern Europe.

It is a balanced posting.

I also feel that perhaps the experience of you and your friends might not be representative of the whole region because we have received many reports of easy border crossings. Not that I am encouraging this at all. Do you and your friends have odd clothing habits or something Spiral? (joke).

Well, have a lovely weekend all and just wanted to let you know that it has begun snowing again here in Prague!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

[sheikh radlinrol]

I would say that Neville's comments are unhelpful and misleading. It is difficult, if not impossible, for US citizens to work legally in Spain.
Moreover, his comments about ''over-qualified'' Brits working on the coast beggar belief.
Young Americans! It may seem unfair but that's the way it is. You may like to PM Moore or Spiral78 for more info but take Neville with a large pinch of salt!

[ITTP]

I clearly wrote that it is very difficult finding legal work in Spain but that it isn't impossible.
I then continued to suggest a Central or Eastern European location, where it is a lot easier finding teaching work.

Have a lovely weekend and thanks for the feedback

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

[sheikh radlinrol]

Neville
Where DID you get the info. about '' over-qualified'' Brits parking themselves on the Costas? An answer, please! Or edit your post.
Regards
SR

[ITTP]

sheikh radlinrol

Coastal cities are the preference of British teachers.
Many of these teachers are PGCE qualified, also with teacher training qualifications.
It is my job to know such info and this was also backed up by teachers and students who I have spoken with.

My initial reason for commenting on the post was to confirm that countries such as Spain are very difficult to become legal in but it is not impossible.
I then continued to recommend searching out alternative locations in Central and Eastern Europe (Lviv for example).

If your experience is different then you are welcome to your opinion.

I often post on davescafe and my travel experience and teaching info experience places me in a position where I feel I can make a positive contribution to the forums.

Thank you again for your feedback and have a lovely weekend!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

[sheikh radlinrol]

[Mike_2007]

There are not many jobs in Romania (especially at the moment with schools preferring to hire cheap local teachers) but I've known a number of Americans to teach here legally (at least with a legal work permit, although I think they have to sometimes describe their position a little more creatively). If you can secure a job in one of the private American/British schools then saving is almost a certainty unless you have a predilection for fine living.

Most schools are more than happy to employ someone from the USA, although it might be up to you to go through all the hassle of securing the work permit and residence permit, and possible even foot the bill. Just don't expect them to bend over backwards to employ you when they can employ UK/Eire teachers more easily.

Best,
Mike

[ITTP]

sheikh radlinrol.

Well, this is the General Europe forum and I was making the point that while it is very difficult to find teaching work in Spain for non-EU it isn't impossible.
We have students who have taught in Spain, one quite recently.
I often travel (recently I was in S.America), and I base my info both on personal experience and the experience of others.
Yes, I have been to Spain

ok, so lets move on and enjoy your weekend!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1