Job Discussion Forums

[CandaceP]

I am seriously considering teaching English in Costa Rica. I've been teaching English and ESL to high school students and adults in the States for 6 years. CR appeals to me (1) because my Dad already lives there, dividing his time between Escazu and Nueva Arenal; (2) I traveled around the country last summer and LOVED it - PURA VIDA, baby; (3) I really want to improve my Spanish; (4) I've always wanted to live in another culture.

Here are my questions:

1- I am not a city person. Are there any jobs outside of San Jose?

2- Once upon a time I considered teaching in China - then I visited and changed my mind. How is life for expats in CR? My Dad loves it, but then again he's a fairly well-off retiree. I will actually work for a living.

3- Would you suggest looking for a job first or going to the country and then looking? I can stay at my Dad's place until I get my own.

4 - More personal note - How's the single life? I can't say the CR machismo thing interests me much. Are there many expat men? Or do they all date the (supposedly) docile CR women?

Thanks!

[doreenp]

WHat do you mean by ``outside of San Jose`` , directly outside, far away, beaches, mountains?

I picture San Jose similar to a word web (we know these , right?) with San Jose as the word in the middle and all the towns like spiders legs all around San Jose, some further than others.

Last year I taught in Heredia outside of San Jose and this year i`m in San Pedro, also outside of SJ but both have easy access to the city and more important, buses to the beaches. There are tons of jobs all around here but i don`t know about further out or nearer to the beaches. So if you`re a little more specific, maybe i can help you.

I would definitely recommend coming here then looking for a job, find your area and then start emailing and sending out resumes and setting up appointments. No one will respond with more than ``thank you for writing, please call us when you arrive``. if you write to them before you come.

as far as the single life and men, well, so far i haven`t found my tall dark latin lover but that`s not to say he �sn`t out there, so i`ll let someone else answer that one for you.
good luck
cheers
d

[lbennett14]

I taught in Liberia for 6 months. There are several places there to teach. The city is small, but still stuff to do and close to the beaches. check out Universidad Central, but please don't go to Centro Modernos de Idiomas. The guy that owns the place is a jerk, and while the students are nice, most teaching time is only available on Saturdays and it's exhausting. Although I was there over a year ago, and it's possible he's not there anymore. Berlitz was moving in, and might have screwed him out of business.

[pollitatica]

As for the "machismo" thing, I dated a tico for almost a year and a half and it was definitely far from that. Seriously, that is just a broad generalization for the entire Latino culture, and please do not assume they are all like that. I'm not saying that the "machismo" aspect of the culture is not real, but it's certainly not how everyone is. Just remember, that just as not all Americans are rude, obnoxious, materialistic, and fat ... not all Latinos are "macho".

[pollitatica]

Oh, and I am far from a "docile" tica, so no worries there!!

[zeddiez]

I know a small company out of Rhormoser that teaches up in Arenal. Might want to email them. Their web site is http://www.reachstars.bravehost.com