Job Discussion Forums

[teawo]

Hello friends,

Surfing is my hobby and I am looking for an esl school which is near a good surfing beach (preferably not in bit smelly city) so that I can pursue my dream. I am open to suggestions of any country. Can anyone tell me if such a school exists and if possible the school�s contact details?

thanks for your help,
teawo.

[moot point]

Japan can be epic...pretty much anywhere facing the Pacific. Good winter swells that hit the north shore of Hawaii also come to northern parts of Honshu but the water is COLD. Further south you'll get some good surf during the typhoon season from July through to October, and the water is warmer.

Taiwan is also good. Head to the southeast of that island to experience some uncrowded surf which is subject to the same typhoon swells.

If you're a bit more adventurous and lucky enough to find a job, you could find some very good surf in the Marianas and Marshall Islands. You'll need a boat to get out to the reef but I'm sure you'll be able to hook up with someone once you settle.

Indonesia and PI round out the possibilities, but the teaching gigs are not as attractive in these locales. You'll probably see a lot more consistent surf, however.

[wix]

In Taiwan the best places to live, teach and surf are Taidong (also spelt Taitung) on the east coast and the twin cities of I-lan & Luodong on the northeast coast. I think both these cities would fit your criteria of no being big and smelly. They are small cities close to both the mountains and the sea.

[khmerhit]

also Nam

[sojourner]

Teawo,

Have you ever considered Australia's Gold Coast region ? In case your knowledge of geography is a bit hazy, the Gold Coast is in Queensland (the east coast of Aust !), and stetches just south of Brisbane, all the way to the NSW border. The major centres are : Surfers' Paradise, Main Beach, and Broad Beach, near the most northern end of the Coast ; as well as Palm Beach and Coolangatta/Tweed Heads, in the south. Of course, there are many other centres. The Gold Coast has probably the best beaches in Australia - and, most likely, among the best in the world ! The main centre on the Coast is Surfers' Paradise - admitedly, it's a bit tacky and touristy, but the surf is quite good, and there are some great restaurants, bars, etc, in the area. But the Coast is more than just Surfers' Paradise - other centres may appeal more to you.

Re ESL jobs, there are many students from the Asia/Pacific region in the place, as well as long-stay backpackers.Thus, the place has a good cosmopolitan atmosphere. As for jobs, I believe that there are a number of language schools there - but competition for jobs would, I'd imagine, be a bit intense. Alternately, you may want to live/teach in Brisbane, and spend the weekends on the Gold Coast. Brisbane is less than two hours by bus from Surfers. For jobs, go to the online yellow Pages and do a search for language schools in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

Depending on your age, you might be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa. Alternately, you might wish to apply for a Study Visa which, I believe, entitles you to work for up to 20 hours pw - but you might be able to get away with more - a bit risky, however, due to the ever-vigilant officers from the Immigration Dept ! So, if you have been contemplating doing a Master's programme, consider doing it in Australia - probably cheaper than doing it in Nth America or the UK. There are two universities on the Gold Coast.

While you're at it, do a Google search for the Gold Coast.

Have you ever considered Southern Africa ? There are some v.good beaches in Kwa-Zulu-Natal province, in RSA. I've been told that there are some excellent beaches further north - in Mozambique. Might be worth considering.

Happy surfing !

Peter

[moot point]

teowo, sorry to hijack your post but I want to respond to Peter.

Peter, I've decided to make a move to Brisbane in a year's time. I'm really looking forward to it and have been already looking into real estate in the Brisbane area. Are you familiar with the region? Would you recommend any places over others?

Right now, I'm planning on studying at Griffith Uni. at the Mt. Gravatt campus. I had a look at homes in the Forest Lake suburb. They seem pretty close to the city, albeit a little far from the ocean, but the prices seem to be about right to purchase a nice 3-bedroom home for under $200,000. If you have any ideas on a better locale or just some general information on the region please let me know.

[teawo]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have travelled Australia on a working visa already, so looking to try something new, but you are right, the surf there is amazing. Might look into Taiwan or Indonesia though. good luck with your house moot point.

[moot point]

As far as I know, Taiwan is still fairly unchartered. You might find it hard to get supplies but if you can repair your own board you can probably find most of your needs via the 'net.

Someone mentioned Vietnam, but I wasn't overly impressed with the beaches I've seen. I think that area is very seasonal.

As for Indo, I don't think you could go wrong with any place facing the Indian Ocean. Like I mentioned before, however, jobs are not that great. Especially those that are next to the beach.

Good luck with your quest. Ride on, mate.

[moot point]

As far as I know, Taiwan is still fairly unchartered. You might find it hard to get supplies but if you can repair your own board you can probably find most of your needs via the 'net.

Someone mentioned Vietnam, but I wasn't overly impressed with the beaches I've seen. I think that area is very seasonal.

As for Indo, I don't think you could go wrong with any place facing the Indian Ocean. Like I mentioned before, however, jobs are not that great. Especially those that are next to the beach.

Good luck with your quest. Ride on, mate.

[sojourner]

Moot Point,

I'm afraid that I don't know Brisbane all that well ( I originally come from Adelaide, but have spent most of the time since leaving school in Sydney and NZ; as well as in travelling o'seas). However, between 1993 and 2000, I lived on the Gold Coast ( on the Isle of Capri, which is very close to Surfers' Paradise); and between 2000 and early 2002, before heading off to Asia, I lived in the beautiful Indooroopilly/Chapel Hill area, which is reasonably close to St Lucia (the Brisbane site of the University of Queensland).

You mentioned Mt Gravatt and Griffith Uni. I'm afraid that I don't know Mt Gravatt at all ! However, I should point out that among many Brisbanites - especially those in the upper-middle class St Lucia/Indooroopilly/Toowong area, the Logan/Mt Gravatt area is often not regarded as being "very nice" ! You'll often hear stories about "rough" young people, welfare-dependant single-mothers, crime ( eg breaking-and-entering), etc. How true these stories are, I don't really know - a lot of the adverse comments could be due to class prejudices. Anyway, do a Google search on Brisbane/Logan/Mt Gravatt, or post some queries to Dave's Aust/NZ forum.

Re, Griffith Uni, it would be ok, I'd imagine; but it hasn't got the same sort of excellent reputation that the Uni of Qld has. Have you actually enrolled at Griffith Uni, yet ? If not, consider UQ - the St Lucia campus is really beautiful ( sand-stone main buildings and cloisters, jacaranda tress in full bloom !). You mentioned something about buying a house for 200 K. AUD - probably, you may not be able to get a house for that price in St Lucia, but you just might have enough for a 2-bedroom unit in nearby Toowong or Indooroopilly. Do a Google search on real estate prices in Brisbane.

If you have your heart set on Griffith Uni, do you know that that institution has a campus on the Gold Coast, quite close to Southport ? I'm pretty sure that the G/Coast campus also has a Faculty of Education. It's possible that you might be able to pick up something for 200 K AUD; but it mightn't be too close to the sea ! Also, if you don't live close to the G/Coast Hwy (where half of the local buses go to and from Grifffith Uni ), you would probably need a car.

You would really love the G/Coast ! Everybody does ! Yes, in many ways it is pretty materialistic/hedonistic - yet, there is a certain "buzz" about the place - the friendly, informal laid-back, fun-loving and cosmopolitan lifestyle ; especially on a warm, cloudless day !

Regards,

Peter