Job Discussion Forums

[ObaGol]

Hi guys, hows it going?
You have probably heard these questions a million times, but I am gonna ask them again. I am too lazy to look for all answers to the questions I am about to ask.

so here they are
1. Is Buenos Aires a good place looking for TEFL teachers? So is it possible to secure a job before arrival? Or can you get a steady job within 3 or 4 weeks of arriving in Buenos Aires?

2. What is the money like. Does Argentina use mostly american money now? Also is it possible to get a job that you can live off of comfortably? And to one day support a family?

3. What is the housing or apartment situation like? How is it to rent a 2 or 3 bedroom house in Buenos Aires? Is it expensive. Same type of question about the apartment?

4. How are the Argentinian people? Are they on the overall friendly side to foreigners, or are they snobby and stuck up?

5. On a teachers salary, is it possible to save some money, go out from time to time, and do some travelling on the side?

6. I need to touch up on my spanish, so are there good Spanish as a second language schools?

7. How are the Hospitals? Is Health Care exspensive?

Well, thats about it for now. I will greatly appreciate any help on these questions. And to see you guys one day

[veggieboy]

2. Not really. Possible, not easy.

3. Frustrating.

4. As a foreigner, you will be hoisted on their shoulders and paraded through the streets.

5. No; yes; only if you have savings and/or travel very cheaply.

6. Yes.

[YanquiQuilme�o]

So is it possible to secure a job before arrival?

Almost impossible to secure a TEFL job especially if you're young and have little experience.

Or can you get a steady job within 3 or 4 weeks of arriving in Buenos Aires?

Yes. But you'll more likely need a little bit of work here and there at different companies.

Does Argentina use mostly american money now?

No.

Also is it possible to get a job that you can live off of comfortably? And to one day support a family?

I personally would never want to try to raise a family in Argentina if I were an EFL teacher unless my partner had an excellent job.

What is the housing or apartment situation like? How is it to rent a 2 or 3 bedroom house in Buenos Aires? Is it expensive. Same type of question about the apartment?

On an EFL teacher's salary, it is extremely difficult to rent something that you'll like. The housing and apartment situation is quite difficult. If you're imagining a quaint little apartment to yourself in a nice part of the city, you can keep dreaming if an EFL salary is what you plan to live on. Just not gonna happen ...

4. How are the Argentinian people? Are they on the overall friendly side to foreigners, or are they snobby and stuck up?

Very friendly, very helpful to foreigners, talkative, social, good-humored. Well dressed, good looking, family oriented. A bit undependable, have difficultly making firm commitments, and you've gotta look out for people who'll take advantage of you and try to cheat you more than you would back home.

5. On a teachers salary, is it possible to save some money, go out from time to time, and do some travelling on the side?

Go out from time to time, yes. Travel ... not really. Save money ... practically pointless. You could scrimp by and live super cheaply, and by the end of the year, you'd have saved what you could save in one month in the US if you lived with your parents and had no expenses.

6. I need to touch up on my spanish, so are there good Spanish as a second language schools?

Yes, plenty.

7. How are the Hospitals? Is Health Care exspensive?

Public hospitals are free. You wait a while, but it's free. I waited once for 1 hour for a doctor. They helped me. It was all free. Another time I went to a private clinic, saw a doctor immediately, and had to pay 15 pesos because I didnt have insurance. It's super super cheap compared to America ...

[ObaGol]

Hey guys!
Thanks alot for the feedback so far!!

I just thought of something else that would help too.
I was wondering what the Argentinian goverment is like?

I am not expecting it to be perfect or anything,
but is it really corrupt, and if a foreigner says something
nuaghty will he end up in a dungeon, or get immediatley deported?

Or is the goverment pretty leaniant now?

Thanks alot guys, and keep the information coming

[YanquiQuilme�o]

The Argentine government is corrupt in many ways. If you just live a normal, law-abiding life, you will not be deported. They don't care about First-World illegal immigrants at all.

Are you planning to break the law here?

[Carolina]

I'm an Argentinian English teacher who has been studying English since I was in first grade at primary school. I got my degree at UCA university, which took me a long time and hard work. I love being a teacher, love English and cannot picture myself doing anything else.
Nevertheless I do sometimes wonder what could my life have been like if I hadn't persued this career. I'm 30, single and living with my parents because as you all natives very well explain, it's impossible for me (esl teacher in Buenos Aires) to make ends meet, let alone rent an apartment or go on holiday. So, I can't help but wonder, why do YOU native speakers of the English language, living in USA or Britain, would come here to BA to teach English, already knowing how little money you can make, how difficult things are here and above all, readind all those posts describing so well our bizarre argentinian customs, traditions, habits ????
Why? What for?? Just to learn Spanish??? Is it worth it???
Enlighten me, please.

[carlos-england]

[ObaGol]

No, no. I am a law abiding citizen. But I was just curious, that if I am walking down the street one day, some angry Argenitian cop, or soldier decides to arrest me for something I didn't do. I don't think that would happen, but just odd scenarios like that. You know?[/quote]

[YanquiQuilme�o]

No, that kind of stuff does not happen at all. Just live a normal life, and you'll never be bothered by the police.

[guillebaires]

[ObaGol]

ha ha ha, yeah I am serious.
I know nothing about Buenos Aires, or Argentina.
All I know about Argentina is Maradona is a god, and Brazil and Argentina are fierce football rivals. I really do not know much. So I am asking you guys for a heads up before I come to Buenos Aires one day.

I slipped up on the quotes thing. So I goofed there.
But I really am clueless about Buenos Aires. But it sticks out to me like a diamond in the rough. And I would really like to check it out, and stay for awhile. So any usefull information would be great.

Thanks

[theupscalepanhandler]

[ClaudeRains]

Why do they want to come, Carolina? The wine, the food, the tango, the landscapes...the life force of your land. Would that all the world were Argentina.

[Munchen]

A bit of an off topic and I have written to this forum before but always like to get updates.
I have been an EFL teacher in Spain in my younger days and understand that since the devaluation of the Argentine Peso, BA is quite affordable.
I am single and live a modest lifestyle. I know Spanish and have always enjoyed meeting people from all over the Spanish speaking world.
Argentines I have encountered in the United States are really great.
It may seem like a broad question, but how well can one live in BA on US $1,000 per month? I would have some reserve funds to set up an apartment. Not interested in a car, would use public transit system to get around.
Fix my own breakfasts but would probably eat one meal out a day.
Would be interested in what may be considered "safet" neighborhoods.
Of course, Hope I can visit before making that decision.
Would like any feedback.
Thanks.

[cryptolect]

Munchen, I would say you can live very well here on USD 1000 a month.