Job Discussion Forums

[Haft]

Oy vey, you know I started reading this forum a few years back. I once saw a TEFL ad for China or something posted on a wall in a college lecture hall, and then hopped online in the library to learn more. This website popped up on the first search. At first I did not think much of it, the now non-existent JIJ was full of some really intense rants and I just thought of it as good entertainment. Now since having graduated a year ago, and soon to turn 24, my perspective is a little different. I am currently in the 9-5 cubicle "grind", though I am hardly complaining. But I am worried as to what I will be doing with the remainder of my twenties. My time is not more valuable than others, but I have virtually not stepped outside of San Diego my whole life, so it seems as if I have a lot to make up for. I asked a couple, sporadic questions on whimsical things, but I am a newbie, a big, raging NOOB.

Eastern Europe always seemed attractive because of the low living costs next to what you can get: exposure to unusual languages, alcohol, and girls. BUT, still, at one country per year, that's about 5 destinations before the age when some on this forum think you should plug back into the rat race, and I am inclined to agree on the deadline.

So, I would like to present my little plan, and see whether this falls into the category of "realistic" or "deluded". I want to get a passport full of stamps, namely by working in the Eastern states during the school year, and renting apartments in the Western states during the summer, ranging from a week, to a month, to a whole summer depending on visa issues, possibly working, possibly not. The adventure would end with a cash-out in the Middle East or Korea. Presently I have a BA in philosophy, no CELTA qualifications, I can earn up to 15K debt-free by the start of September next year assuming no real change of my present situation, and I will earn the money working as a paralegal. I do NOT party. Assuming I have the discipline, can what I want work out?

I have previously asked questions which might have betrayed a narrow outlook on travel plans, but in the sheer interest of making this fly I had in mind the following countries: Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Czech Republic, maybe others, in an undetermined order, but with the express intention of complimenting my stays by paying visits to their neighbors.

Brutally honest opinions are welcome. Even if I can only make it to Eastern Europe, no disappointment, that would still make for a sufficiently awesome trip. I am flexible, and the question is really one of degree.

Extremely specific administrative questions may follow in the future.

Thank you for reading.

[spiral78]

It's a fairly realistic plan, outside of the extended Western European holiday summers...but you can probably save enough in Eastern Europe to give yourself some nice holidays around, even if they're not exactly what you're picturing at the moment...

The CzechRep is an easy place to start, being full of training centres and other newbies. You could easily move on from there.

You won't cash-out with the best-paid jobs in the Middle East or Korea without more qualifications (MA in the field). But I hear that there are some ME positions for people with 'just' BA and experience these days, and Korea will still be a go - just that you won't be at the top of the heap, pay-wise, in the field.

[naturegirl321]

You might want to check out SOL http://www.sol.org.uk/ SA they send teachers to many of those countries, just don't expect to make much. I think it varies between 200 and 500 USD a month plus a free flat.

As for the others , you might want to check out IH www.ihworld.com I 've seen a few jobs for those countires. TEFL.com also has others.

If you're not in it for the money, you should be fine.

[denise]

Five countries in five years is a lot! I imagine that if you are just traveling then a year is plenty of time to stay put, but for living and working somewhere, you'll just start to get the feel of the place and then your contract will end... I've done that before. (In fact, have yet to stay more than two years in a place!) It's not necessarily bad to move around, but just make sure you allow for the possibility that you might like a place long enough to stick around for a second year. Also, since you mentioned getting back into the rat race--you may find that you love teaching so much that you never go back! I'm speaking from experience, having entered the EFL field just shy of my 24th birthday and spent all of my 20s in the field, and here I am at 31 still loving it!

Keep in mind that many people take jobs in the Middle East exclusively (or primarily) for the money. You did mention a cash-out, so you must be aware of that. Still, the rest of your post seems to indicate that you really want to travel, see the world, date, and generally just enjoy your 20s--even though you've said that you don't party. I'm enjoying myself here in Oman, but if I wanted culture, traveling, adventure, etc., and I didn't desperately need the money, I'd choose Europe.

d

[Haft]

Based on your responses, I think these plans could turn out well. I have tried to think of some good questions in the meantime, but I have only come up with the following:

1.) As to the "statement of no criminal history", is an FBI fingerprint card good enough? Or do they (like the Polish government) want something else?

2.) What banks can you rely on while abroad?

3.) What about American taxes?

[denise]

[spiral78]

You could go to (or contact) your local (state) police headquarters and ask for a statement that you've committed no crimes during your residence there. I got this from the last state I lived in without any hassle - it didn't seem to be a new or unusual request, and the Czech authorities were favorably impressed with it. That was nearly 10 years ago, though, so this info may be outdated.

[jonniboy]

Just a few rambling observations in reply:-

- East Europe is not as cheap as you might think. E.U. accession, low cost airlines and property speculation has noticeably increased prices compared to 2002 when I first backpacked through the area.

- You may not get stamps at all, even when I've practically begged border guards to give me them, they've refused. Most of the countries in the area will have implemented the Schengen agreement by 1st January 2008 meaning no more passport controls at land borders.

- As another posted mentioned, working for only a year in a place will restrict your income possibilities. As a guide I'll get about 2000 dollar plus net per month for the coming year in Riga. That's about three times what I got in 2005-6. Wages will not be high in your first year in any Eastern country. It's only by sticking around for a year that you can build up the contacts and exploit the oppurtunities available.

[denise]

[coffeedrinker]

I don't want to give general advice that turns out to be wrong, but on more than one occasion in eastern europe I needed this:

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm

It sometimes has to be issued within the last so many (90) days, and some countries need some $2 apostille...from the secretary of state (of your state of residence). When I've had to get all this from overseas it is a mess and a hassle. It's possible to do for sure, but if you do one step wrong you start all over and that takes time and FedEx fees if you want it relatively quickly.

Don't assume these things will all be true in the country you're going to - but check with someone from the school who knows

The good news is (check on this but I think so) once you have been a resident in the country you work in, you either don't need a new fbi certificate to work in that country again, or if you work in a second country, you just get the record from the first...which for some reason I think it easier.

[tedkarma]

[FuzzX]