Job Discussion Forums

[jenny74]

Hello, I'm looking for a quiet beach town somewhere in Latin America where I can relax after a harrowing academic year in Eritrea. Modest living accomodations, comfortable pay, a place without a big partying atmosphere but where I can at least run into another expat here and there. I just want to teach and rest and swim and write a novel. Where down in Latin America might I find this?

[lozwich]

That sounds like a lovely goal! I wish I had the guts to just go ahead and do that!

I'd suggest the Oaxacan coast of Mexico for you. Try looking on the Mexico boards for leads about UMAR. Good university job, lovely place to be, although it does get busy during holiday times.

Good luck,
Lozwich.

[jenny74]

Thanks for the reply. Well, it seems like you do have guts, living in Columbia. Is it really as dangerous as its reputation? Are you teaching there?

[lozwich]

Jenny,

Colombia is dangerous in parts, and completely safe and just like anywhere else in others. I live in a safe bit. And, yes, I work here. I think the biggest problem with Colombia is that it has a bad reputation, and isn't being given a chance to show that things have and continue to change here. Very long rant deleted, but in my opinion, living in Colombia takes no more guts than living anywhere else in the world. Everywhere has its particular risks and precautions.

Take care,
Lozwich.

[jenny74]

So is there a great need for TEFL teachers in Columbia? And how is the pay? Is there a sizable expat community? I think the UN is there. What about beaches?

[lozwich]

Firstly, Colombia is spelled with two 'o's, it doesn't have a u. I think that's a university in the US somewhere. And yes, there is a need for teachers here, the government is very concerned that Colombians become bilingual to help with business and development and so forth. This applies to all tiers of education, from public schools to the elite. Of course, the poorer schools can't afford native speaker teachers, and I think the program is still a bit wobbly, but it is a start. Connected to this, the pay depends on where you work.

There isn't what I would call a sizeable expat community, because of the perception that Colombia is dangerous. I tend to find myself staring at foreigners when I see them, especially ones from Asia because there just aren't that many around. However, here in Bogota there are lots of "British" bars and if you like hanging out with embassy types you can meet them there.

Colombia has two coasts, so it also has beaches. The main city on the Pacific coast is called Buenaventura and is very dangerous for guerrilla and paramilitary activity. In my opinion the Carribbean beaches in Colombia that I have visited aren't as good as those in Mexico. If you worked on the coast, you wouldn't earn as much money as in Bogota, but you would meet more expats, or tourists.

Cheers,
Lozwich.

[jenny74]

Lozwich,

I don't hang out in bars and I'm not interested in the Embassy type people and their colonist lifestyle. But I do like running into expats and the occasional tourist. There were very few in Eritrea but the ones I did meet developed into friendships and I'm still in touch with many of them. I rarely see job listings for Colombia. I usually look at posting here on Daves. Have long have you been in Colombia?

[lozwich]

I hear you re: colonialist lifestyle! Gin slings on the verandah at sunset and all that! I like meeting NGO workers, they have cracking stories and always an interesting input on the situation here.

You're right about not seeing many job postings for Colombia. Sometimes there is stuff on TEFL.com, or very occasionally on Dave's, but the best way to get a job here is to come and try to find a job once you've arrived. I've been here for almost two years.

Cheers,
Lozwich.

[jenny74]

The NGO workers are fun as are the UN guys. As for just coming to Colombia and looking for a job, well, I'm a risk taker but I'd rather have a job lined up before I relocate. I'm getting my TEFL next month with Oxford Seminars (ever heard of them?) and they assist with job placement. Besides, I don't speak a word of Spanish. How are the people of Colombia? Are they kind and helpful? What kind of school do you teach in?

[naturegirl321]

You could try Piura or Trujillo in Peru

[maccaliam]

[naturegirl321]

[melisssssa]

maybe i'm late getting on this but i've heard that there are ESL jobs to be had in Zihuatenejo, Guerrero, Mexico. beautiful beach town. Well known enough. 70 pesos an hour, I've heard. good luck.

[Tiger Beer]

Atacames in Ecuador was quite nice. Looked and felt very Carribbean (although its on the Pacific). That was 1998 when I was there, and not sure how stable Ecuador is anymore.

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Regarding the Colombia conversation (a country I'm highly interested in). How about Santa Marta? I haven't been there, but the Carribbean parts of Colombia would be interesting, and I hear Cartagena (as a city, not as a beach) is gorgeous!

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Best places in all of South America in my opinion would be BRAZIL. Can't go wrong with any of those beach cities.

[john_n_carolina]

......Galapagos, Ecuador

volunteer at www.NewEraGalapagos.org


you'll write / read a lot. i finished 110 mystery novels in 12 months.