Job Discussion Forums

[jg]

CEDEI is still only paying $250 a month? I am not surprised to hear about the high turnover; schools in Ecuador pay enough to make one comfy enough for a year or so but after that most get antsy to get home and make some real money, or just get out and travel a bit. Not like Korea, where there are many "lifers".

They had a good resource library for the teachers and there were often privates available, plus the building is gorgeous. I know, who cares about aesthetics, but a pleasant environment does make a difference.

EC might have low costs but Cuenca is expensive but an interesting and beautiful city, relatively crime free and cultured, and they really know how to celebrate holidays, festive balloons and concerts in Parque Central, etc. What someone else called noise I will call festivity. The quality of restaurants is high, and outside of Quito (and maybe Guayaquil) the best in Ecuador. A nice community of immigrants from Chile and Europe exists there, and there is a fairly genteel middle-class area outside the center that bears some exploring. Hollanda panderia makes outstanding cakes and creamy, dreamy ice-cream.

Cuencanos are a little snobby and boring at times though.

I'll say this about the people I worked with at CEDEI, there were quite a few brats and despite congratulating themselves on being open-minded enough to go to SA, were pretty unprepared for doing without North American or U.K. comforts. I include myself in that group and wish that I had been more mature and open about Ecuador. Having traveled and worked in other countries since then, I'd say that as far as an abroad experience, Ecuador is fairly mild. If you do choose CEDEI I'd suggest not too much involvement in the "gringo loop", which mainly consists of teachers and whoever they're dating, very limited interaction with the locals.

[molson2468]

Anyone taught for CEDEI since 2008?? Any info would be very helpful. Thanks

[yoga2012]

For today, what if one's pay is $350 per month, including housing? Is that enough to live on and save a bit in SA?

[just_a_mirage]

The big thing that CEDEI offers, in my opinion is a visa. They do give cultural exchange visas to teachers who stay long term. I think $250 is ridiculously low, even for Ecuador. I teach in Guayaquil, and although it is not as beautiful as Cuenca, there is much more opportunity for teachers. I make much more than that. I do have a resident visa which helps, but I would think it to be almost impossible to have any quality of life at that amount. Minimum wage is more than that.

[HLJHLJ]

When you say including housing, do you mean that they pay for your housing and utilities on top of the $350? Or that you would have to pay for housing out of the $350? The former would be liveable, but it would be a tight budget. The latter would be unfeasible.

[yoga2012]

Yea, housing and utilities will be paid. I'm thinking that since I don't want to be dipping into my savings, plus, I'm looking to save at least a little money each month, than maybe that amount is not good for my situation. I don't want to be living from pay check to pay check, saving less than $100 each month.

[orozcom]

Hello,
I have recently applied with CEDEI. Which they said they pay between $350 and $420. I was wondering would this be enough to pay for housing and expenses and live comfortably? Also has anyone worked there within the last 3-5 years? Thanks for the help I really appreciate it.

[rbc089]