Job Discussion Forums

[bhog]

I'm from Jesusland and looking to make a move overseas. I prefer to move to CZ, but am leaning towards S. Korea simply because of $ considerations at the moment. I understand that it might be difficult to save money in Prague, but has anyone lived in Brno (if so what's the verdict?), and is it possible to actually save money there or anywhere in CZ?
Oh yeah, I have a BA and will have completed a TEFL course by the time I move.

[zewd]

It all really depends on the kind of job you get, and what your spending/travel habits are. It's possible to make money in the CZ if you know what you're doing and are established there. I met quite a few people who had married locals and settled down, and were making very good money by working for themselves (teaching directly for local businesses instead of through a school that takes a cut). If you offer lessons at a rate higher than what you would make through a school but lower than what a school would charge students, then it should be easy to find business. There are special visas you can get for this kind of work... I'm not sure of the name of it, but it's a freelance business visa or something.

On the other hand, I met MANY more people who were in it for a year or two, and were barely making enough to get by.

If you're willing to stick around, make connections, buy your own teaching materials, etc, there is certainly money to be had in the CZ, but most people don't go this route and the majority of teachers there save no money, or end up in debt.

[bhog]

Thanks Zewd,
I've heard from others that since I'm not an EU citizen, it's just about impossible for me to get a "legal" job there now...I'm not sure when you were there, but do you have an opinion on this?

[zewd]

haha... I'm actually back in the US now because I was deported. I worked for a bad school, and the guy lied to the labor office when I tried to get my visa transferred to my new school. Sometimes, trying to be legal gets you in trouble faster than just staying under the table .

It really depends who you work for. It's an annoying process, but it is definately possible for you to get a visa in the CZ as an American. Make sure you bring your degrees (high school diploma and college degree) with you, either the original or a notarized copy. American notorization doesn't hold water in the CZ, so that's another loop to jump through... You'll also need a copy of your birth certificate. Other than that, you can get everything you need in the CZ (I had an incompetant woman at the Czech embassy in Bratislava tell me I needed a declaration of no criminal record from America, which was a lie. You really have to watch those people.) You should be able to find a school willing to sponsor you for a visa, but they probably won't pay for it. Total costs can vary depending on how far you have to travel (usually to either Bratislava, Vienna or Dresden, keep in mind Vienna and Dresden are very expensive for people on a Czech salary if you plan to stay overnight), but it can get pretty pricey. Note that doctors appointments and translations in Prague can cost about 4x what they do in smaller towns, especially if you have a Czech contact person to help you out, so do as much of your paperwork in Brno as possible.

[Chris Westergaard]

I think it is possible to save in the CZ but it means that you really have to work full time (25 hours or more). Obviously you will not make the same money you can make in Korea, but money is not everything.

If money is a concern for you, the best thing to get is a Zivnostensky list (which means you function as a private contractor) and then you can start making twice as much as a regular teacher would.

[Arab Strap]

Prague, Brno, Ostrava, doesn't matter where you go you'll not be able to save much and if my experience is anything to go by, you'll barely be able to make ends meet............

That said, if you're just after enough money to feed yourself, have a beer or two and go to the cinema you'll do ok.

Please remember that Cz is now in the EU and prices of everything (especially rents) have skyrocketed.

I got a Zivnostensky list (private business licence), fine but you'll have to pay for your own health and social insurance and know a good accountant to do your tax return. I'm married to a Czech and have two kids so I was able to get a substantial rebate but I still ended up paying 10,000CZK in tax. Moreover a Zivnostensky list is not an easy thing to get and involves police checks both in your country and CZ. You'll have an easier time if you're a EU citizen but I can imagine that it would be a long paper chase and a lot of running around for an American (that's if you could get the thing in the first place)............

I was just able to survive and had little left over after my bills at the end of the month.

I'm now in Saudi Arabia as I found that I was having to work 40 to 50 hours a week. If you work for yourself you'll have to find your own students and with things being what they are in CZ people are beginning to see English lessons as a bit of a luxury.

So in short don't think you'll be saving anything but Brno is an excellent place with a lot of fun to be had and I can't wait to go back for that cold pivo with my name on it in June!!!!!

AS

PM me if you want more gen