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Double_Dragon
Joined: 12 Mar 2015
Posts: 70
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 Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:47 pm Post subject: Money |
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Last edited by Double_Dragon on Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Jobs with prepaid airfares |
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| Double_Dragon wrote: |
Hi all,
The title of this thread pretty much sums it up. I'm seeking to find a job with a prepaid airfare. The reason I desire this is because after finishing university, I'm impatient and poor. Do any of you ladies and gentlemen ESLers know of a scenario where this can occur? I noticed that if there is a flight bonus, it's usually paid as a reimbursement after working in Country X for some time.
I am hoping that an employer will be willing to put their faith in me, and purchase the plane ticket to Country X so that I'm not out of pocket initially. Sense of entitlement? Perhaps, I'm just really poor and impatient right now.
Many thanks |
About the only place that prepaid airfare for generic EFL teachers was Korea. Most of those have disappeared but there are still a few around. Check the Korean forums (separate registration required).
If you are a qualified, licensed teacher (B.Ed) then you might have better luck in the international school circuit where airfare and housing are common perks.
Barring that, find a job in China, get your "Z" visa and borrow $1000 for airfare. You'll be able to pay it off after a month or so then be able to work and pay down your student loans.
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| As already pointed out, these are rare. What are your qualifications and nationality? |
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kpjf
Joined: 18 Jan 2012
Posts: 385
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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| The Japan JET programme pays for flights; however, you say you're impatient and their application procedure takes forever (Apply November/depart July) so I guess that's out. |
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Double_Dragon
Joined: 12 Mar 2015
Posts: 70
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by Double_Dragon on Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Double_Dragon wrote: |
| It's probably best to just incur a debt for the one way ticket to Country X. In this way, the options for jobs will be far greater. |
However, you'd need to budget for more than just airfare; ground transportation, lodging, food, visa fees, medical, etc., are initial out-of-pocket expenses to consider. Plus, you should have an emergency fund set aside for that "just in case" situation.
Anyway, head over to the China forum for specifics. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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As nomadsoul points out, it's not just travel to the country. You need to be able to afford to support yourself until you get a first paycheck - as most teachers are paid at the end of the month worked, this is at best 6-8 weeks after arrival most places. You should always have access to money for planefare home - a little bad luck can go a long way in a foreign country. It's just not safe without a reasonable financial safety net.
Your options are very limited, as you will be an entry-level candidate anywhere you apply (a BEd and nothing else won't put you at the top of the resume pile anywhere).
Anyway, Asia is certainly your best bet. Europe is mostly out unless you have a second passport from an EU country. Latin America pays less than Asia, and the Middle East requires far more quals than you've got to offer for reasonable jobs.
You might post on the General Asia forum below if you haven't already. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Your options are very limited, as you will be an entry-level candidate anywhere you apply (a BEd and nothing else won't put you at the top of the resume pile anywhere). |
Some countries also require a TEFL cert, which is another expense to consider. Anyway, being "impatient" and "poor" as well as inexperienced means you can't be picky. |
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Double_Dragon
Joined: 12 Mar 2015
Posts: 70
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| Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 2:14 am Post subject: |
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Last edited by Double_Dragon on Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:51 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 3:13 am Post subject: |
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| Double_Dragon wrote: |
| Yes, not to mention the fact that in many cases, the employer willing to pay upfront for airfares may be desperate for staff for a reason. In this scenario, possibly unscrupulous employers know that you are indeed categorised as a desperado as much as they. |
Not necessarily. An employer that doesn't provide upfront airfare will likely hire a local to fill a much-needed spot rather than fork out money to bring a warm body from abroad. On the other hand, those employers that include pre-paid air travel tend to hire highly-qualified and experienced foreign teachers as opposed to newbies, although there are exceptions.
| and Double_Dragon wrote: |
| Also, do you all typically get some sort of travel/health insurance or do you just go for a job that will give you a decent insurance plan? I noticed that many in Asia cover only 50% of medical expenses. 50% is really not going to go a long way if one gets seriously ill, with no ability to bring in more income. This will especially be compounded if the hospital decides to rip a sick foreigner off. |
You can purchase individual travel insurance if it's not in your benefits package. However, the better employers worldwide tend to either include this benefit or provide a stipend for the employee to purchase on his/her own. But frankly, if you become seriously ill to the point where you're unable to work, you need to have a back-up plan, which usually entails having relatives flying in to care for you, or you purchase a one-way ticket back home. That's why you need an emergency fund. |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 5:08 am Post subject: |
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| Double_Dragon wrote: |
Yes, not to mention the fact that in many cases, the employer willing to pay upfront for airfares may be desperate for staff for a reason. In this scenario, possibly unscrupulous employers know that you are indeed categorised as a desperado as much as they. This could definitely result in a cocktail of horrendous work conditions as the employer thinks that Go Getter X has no money for a plane ticket home, and little desire or motivation to return to Western shores.
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Unlikely.
In most cases it is country or program specific.
HK NET offers a decent benefits package for qualified individuals.
Taiwan public schools offer a comprehensive package.
Taiwan language schools offer nothing.
Thai schools offer nothing for entry level EFL but decent packages for experienced and licensed teachers.
Korea often offers prepaid airfare at language academies and reimbursement (1.3 million krw inbound allowance) at public school positions. They also offer housing and settlement allowances.
JET is a long process but a comprehensive benefits package awaits.
China usually offers airfare allowance at the end of the contract but a nice list of benefits while in-country minimizing your "setup costs".
| Double_Dragon wrote: |
| Also, do you all typically get some sort of travel/health insurance or do you just go for a job that will give you a decent insurance plan? I noticed that many in Asia cover only 50% of medical expenses. 50% is really not going to go a long way if one gets seriously ill, with no ability to bring in more income. This will especially be compounded if the hospital decides to rip a sick foreigner off. |
Depends on the country.
In Korea as an example you are suposed to be enrolled in the national health plan NHIC and the employer pays 50% of the premium (although the reality is that most language schools do not do either).
If you work for EPIK or another government program then your insurance is pretty comprehensive with a small co-pay and premiums of about 3% of your salary (deducted at source).
In Thailand, reputable employers will supply you with something like BUPA (sapphire) which is adequate for most things you will encounter.
If you work at a government school then you should be on the national social insurance.
BUPA Emerald as a private purchase costs about 1500 baht per month (variances for age but based on an age of 30) with outpatient and in-patient coverage.
Elsewhere.... healthcare in Asia is NOT like in the developed world. For most routine stuff, even without insurance, the price is cheap ($1-10 for a Dr consultation (depending on the country) and $2-3 for a course of antibiotics or other basic meds when needed).
I sprained an ankle and the ER hospital visit (consult, x-ray, meds and cane) was only $70 AUD (covered by insurance).
A co-worker tore his ACL. The whole affair including surgery, hospital stay, followup & physio only cost him about $1000 (no insurance).
If you are indeed worried, then you can probably buy a travelers package for about $2/day with your air ticket that will cover emergencies, accidents and repatriation.
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| This is a good illustration of the downturn in conditions for English teachers. When I got into the business - more than 40 years ago, it was very common for employers to pay for transportation costs. It still is in the better jobs but there are many where the luckless teacher has to pay for the ticket. |
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In the heat of the moment
Joined: 22 May 2015
Posts: 393
Location: Italy
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| Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 7:31 am Post subject: |
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This is news to me. On a quick inspection of Japanese and Singaporean EFL jobs, 4/5 years ago, I saw most of them required you to pay for airfare and accommodation. I've been doing this job for a decade - in 6 countries - and have rarely had to pay for either.
Double_Dragon, you've a B.Ed. so I suggest you try applying for more positions. You might have to look at vacancies that are not in high demand, such as Tier 2 or 3 cities in China or out in the Boonies in Korea (or even in the ME, although as a first 'gig' I'd be wary of the potential for significant culture shock over there), where well-run schools aren't exactly swamped with offers.
As to insurance; accidental cover is essential, especially if you engage in any risky activities such as crossing the road. IMO any long-term illness is unlikely to strike suddenly and you should have the time to get a flight back home. |
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