Job Discussion Forums

[alliet]

Hi! I will be moving to Madrid in July and participating in the Canterbury TEFL program. Any good or bad news about the program? Any accomodation/living suggestions? HELP! PLEASE! I am relocating from the U.S. and am just a bit scared! Also, any suggestions on what I should bring with me on my move overseas?

[spiral78]

Unless you've got a passport from an EU member country, you're going to be living/working illegally in Spain. If you do this, you should keep in mind that you would be liable for any fees for health care you might need (you would be treated in an emergency, but it's highly unlikely that any insurance company would pay if you are found to be living/working illegally). You will also not have a contract to work, and non-contract workers are always the first to be laid off and usually face uncertain earning levels month to month.
If you decide to take the risks, you should be sure to ALWAYS have a financial reserve to take care of any 'bad luck' costs. Don't go on a financial shoestring.

[alliet]

Thank you for the advice, however, I found it perhaps somewhat discouraging. I have a passport issued to me from the United States and am going to be teaching English at an accredited language institute after I receive a TEFL certificate. I know numerous people who are doing just this (hence, Dave's ESL Cafe). I have been offered health insurance from the school (Canterbury) and have researched several other health insurance programs and am not worried about coverage. Also, I am quite secure financially and am certaintly not worried. However, I do appreciate any advice regarding accomodation/housing, relocating overseas, what to bring/not bring with me, etc. - none of this discouraging stuff!

[b harmon]

I'm glad your school is helping you out with your insurance because at EBC they also helped me out in organizing health insurance and as an American, I still can't get over how cheap it is compared to back home. The one I went with was called OBV , ask for a Reinhard he's at 91 447 1028, from what I remember he speaks good English. I speak passable Castellano but I still find it difficult to explain medical stuff in Spanish! I guess medical matters, you still want to speak in your first language, my 2 cents..

Brian

[SgtPhilco]

Hi Allie, I can't offer any real advice yet but as I am doing the course in May / June I would be happy to let you know anything I find out that might be helpful to you. If you want to drop me a line my email is [email protected] which is also my msn messenger address. Look forward to a chat maybe sometime.

Phil

[MAP Magazine]

Hey there,

I graduated from Canterbury and worked for them for quite some time. Do you have any specific questions?

Later gator,

Phil

PS: Even as an illegal immigrant, you can still "empadronar" or register yourself as a resident at the town hall to get free health service.