Job Discussion Forums

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

That's just awesome.

I wish you the best after reading all that; thanks for the several years' update. Never commented, thought I would now.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Thanks Eamonn and GWOW!
Things are going quite well leading up to the New Year's holiday (big holiday here is New Year's, not Christmas).
As I wrote before, we now have a second school up and running; it's coming along quite well--we hope to have 200+ students by year-end. In fact, it's going so swimmingly that we might just go ahead and open a third school in 2011 sometime. It all depends on the Benjamins, of course.
Otherwise, the winter here is still trying. The authorities (or whoever) can't seem to grasp the idea of cleaning roads/sidewalks before the snow turns into glare ice, so the city is basically a skating rink. Enjoy this video (he's skating on a sidewalk/road!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnheI6f7tHY

The job situation is as follows: Getting the status to give out work visas is still a rather ambiguous and time-consuming process. However, we hope to have said status by the end of January (fingers crossed). After that, I hope to stock up on some excellent EFL teachers! (I know they're out there.)

Rents are still quite expensive, but prices seem to have hit a plateau in the past 12-18 months: 15,000-18,000 rubles for a one-room near the center of the city. You'd probably need a minimum of 12,000 to live in a halfway decent flat.

The APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Conference, I think?) is coming here in 2012, so that's a big deal, I've heard. They are building two big, and badly needed, bridges across the bays; this will help traffic exponentially. There are also rumors that all-new roads will be paved, though I have seen little evidence of this (well, apart from the highway leading into town).

Restaurants are expensive. It's very hard to get out of a dinner for two for less than 1000 rubles ($35-ish), and those aren't the sweet-dog restaurants. On a positive note, some small cafes are opening up with decent fare/coffee; this is good.

Air travel is still generally monopolized by VladAvia, although a new terminal might help lower costs--keeping fingers crossed there.

Best.

[deepteeth]

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Yep, every time you think you're gonna leave Russia it just pulls you back in!

[melissalloyd]

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Hi melissa,
I wish I could say the visa situation has cleared up. But, alas and alack, Russia is still Russia...
I do think some of it depends on which city/region you live in. Vladivostok and Primorskiy Krai seem to be quite difficult in that respect (for a whole host of reasons).
There are schools outside of Moscow/St Pete, I'm sure, that can offer you work visas. The bigger cities such as Ekaterinburg and Novosibirsk would be good bets.
Currently, we are fighting to get our two recent hires their work visas. *Sigh*

[melissalloyd]

JP,

I appreciate the consideration. I understand the visa situation. Russia will always be Russia.

[Seeker of truth]

jpvanderwerf2001,

Any updates to inform us of? I've been enjoying reading about your adventures.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Hi Seeker,
Thanks for asking: Things are going pretty well indeed.
This summer, we opened our third school here in Vladivostok. The second school is still recovering from a lull in students due to crazy (and I mean crazy) road construction in the area. However, all told, our three schools have a total of between 700-800 students at any one time between Sept-May. I'm no longer the academic director, as each school has its own; I am now the nebulous-sounding managing director, which sounds vaguely impressive, but comes with rather ambiguous duties (on purpose). Needless to say, I created the position myself
Speaking of construction (see it up there?), progress around Vladivostok is definitely being made. The biggish highway out of town is nearly completed, and the two massive bridges are taking shape. Unsurprisingly, the bridges will be over-time and over-budget.
On a personal note, my wife and I are expecting our second munchkin in December. Until then, I'm really, really relishing my sleep.
We were able to successfully hire a native speaker from abroad. However, because the focus of everything administrative is on the APEC 2012 summit, we are finding it very difficult to procure the necessary work visa quota for 2012-2013. The joy never ends.
Ok, that's more than you asked for. Hope to see some of you around Vlad one of these fine days!
Be well.

[david_hawk]

After reading through this thread, I am very intrigued; what a wonderful progression.

[alpha65]

Just back from my 12th visit to Vlad in the last year....such an interesting city. Have stayed all over the city, from Hotel Vlad and Amursky Zaliv to flats in Okeanskii Prospekt, Shepetkova & Novodgilova.

A lot of changes in the year I've been coming and looking forward to my 2 months there over Christmas and New Year.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

alpha,
Wow, 12 times in a year! Let me know if you're around and would like to catch a coffee or brew.

[Klariningrad]

Hello everyone!

I am still unsure how this forum works so forgive me in advance if I am in the wrong section! I tried to PM someone but it turns out I could't quite manage that either

Well, I am a French national, freshly arrived from Kaliningrad and settling in Vladivostok for a little while (1/2 years). I am a Sorbonne graduate, currently working a little bit for the French Alliance here in Vlad but I am hardly scraping a living I can speak both English (British) and French fluently, having spent a while in Britain!
And well, to cut the story short, I was wondering if any of you could perhaps give me some advice regarding recruiting language schools etc. I wouldn't like to miss out on my time here before we (there had to be a reason for my moving here!) jet back to good ole Europe!

I'd be extremely grateful be if anyone could help me out
Claire.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Hi Claire,
Please check your PM.
Jeff

[jcbraga]

Hello Vlad Forum!

I would like to come out and teach English/work in Vlad, but I have three fundamental questions that I can't figure out myself and would love some feedback from those in the know.


1) If I come and secure a typical 10 to 20hr teaching job with a school, will I be able to live comfortably?

I have been reading about how expensive Vlad is, even in comparison to Moscow. From the sound of the average pay for teachers, $8 to $10USD per hour, it would seem impossible to make any sort of sustainable living there.


2) If I have a Bachelor's and some English teaching experience already, will I be able to find decent work, or would additional training such as TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA be necessary/recommended?

I have a bachelor's degree but no additional training. I have taught English before, however, in Finland, Russia, Sweden, and China. I know that I could get work in Moscow or St. Petersburg, but I don't know the situation in Vlad. For example, in Belarus, because I didn't have TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA, it was hard for me to find work at a school.


3) Finally, would it be advisable to arrange a position at a school before I come, or should I just show up on a tourist visa and search for work?

When teaching in China, for example, it is best to arrive in the country first on a tourist visa, and then find work. This way, you can check the premises of a school first, double check your contract with another teacher, ask around and so on, so that you don't get locked into a bad contract.


Great thanks!

Peter