Job Discussion Forums

travelgoddess

1. Are there any female ESL teachers there? haha. I see only men online here, and as fond as I am of that gender, it would be nice to get a womans perspective on this place.

2. Cell phones. Guessing that a tri-band phone would be best? Buy a sim card there? any info would be great.

3. Internet options at home/apt. DSL? Dial up? (ugh) Wifi? Has wifi taken off in cafes yet?

4. For apartment rental, how much up front is generally asked for? 2 months, 6 months, etc.

5. Teaching ESL (but, of course). In Vietnam they were game for any teaching style we came into the classroom with, in the US, our European and other Asian students want more of the traditiional teacher in front of the room lecturing type of class. Any input on Colombian student generalities would be interesting.

6. One way versus round trip ticket. Do they check at the airport?

Thanks SO much, if all goes as planned (HA! thats funny) I will be there in 3 weeks. whoa.

Steph

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

...i think in 12 years i've been reading this site, haven't seen a female write about her experiences in Bogota or for that matter, Colombia. i'm sure there are a few ESL teachers there, but they don't log in. sort of like Brazil. in December, i was in Ecuador for 4 weeks and didn't log in here once. have you tried doing a BlogSearch?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

lozwich knows bout Colombia.

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

i found a bunch doing a blogsearch on Google.
here's one from escapeartist

http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/38/Colombia.html

travelgoddess · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject: Yup

Did a blog search a few times,but each time only went a few pages in. Will try again.

It wont be the end of the world if I dont have other foreigner chicks to chat with, but would be nice.Might be a good push for my pathetic Spanish to have only local friends.Hmmm.

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

....no, there are ESL teachers in Bogota, tons of them. they just don't log in, or use computers, it seems.

people dance, and dance, and dance all week long there Wed, Fri, Sat....

very few people log in or write about Brazil also? wonder why Smile

travelgoddess · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:25 am Post subject: Nice!

Good point and a very nice thing to hear.

I've always wanted to live/teach in a place that is so interesting I forget I am a webhead. haha. We shall see.

eric blair · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 16

Hi Steph, where were you working in Vietnam, just left there myself and I arrive in Bogota on Thursday, so I can't answer most of what you want to know, plus I'm male.

With regard to the deposit on the accommodation, I think no more than a month. I'm sure the appartment I'm staying in has DSL and I'm sure that Wifi's available. Also, I have a single flight and I'm not expecting this to be a problem.

Try www.poorbuthappy.com regards

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

sorry Lozwich, didn't know! Smile

i've noticed over the years that you were the only one to ever really write about Bogota or Colombia.....can't find anything else substantial except from the friends and contacts i have there ....

travelgoddess

Q1 Are there any female ESL teachers there? haha. I see only men online here, and as fond as I am of that gender, it would be nice to get a womans perspective on this place.

A1 Yes, there are, but usually wives of colombian or expatriate residents. And they do not usually earn a lot.

Q2. Cell phones. Guessing that a tri-band phone would be best? Buy a sim card there? any info would be great. Internet options at home/apt. DSL? Dial up? (ugh) Wifi? Has wifi taken off in cafes yet?

A2 ETB and Teleco Colombia both provide broadband to the home over ADSL.
Website http://www.wi-fihotspotlist.com/browse/intl/2000030/ gives the location of a wireless hotspot. Wifi exists in some hotels but I have never seen one in a cyber caf�.

Q3 For apartment rental, how much up front is generally asked for? 2 months, 6 months, etc.

A3 One month deposit and one month in advance is the norm. However, you may (occasionally) be asked for a guarantor. This can be anyone who owns property in Colombia.

Q4 Teaching ESL (but, of course). In Vietnam they were game for any teaching style we came into the classroom with, in the US, our European and other Asian students want more of the traditiional teacher in front of the room lecturing type of class. Any input on Colombian student generalities would be interesting.

A4 Any effective method will do (whichever you do best) unless your employer has a preferred style. Andeans tend to be bright, intelligent and hard-working. They prefer british English, but you should be OK J

Q5 One way versus round trip ticket. Do they check at the airport ?
A5 In ten visits to Colombia and a further fifty to other latin countries, I have never once been asked to show a return ticket. However, should you arrive looking like a hippy, asking for a 12-month visa or put seeking work as your reason for entering on the immigration slip, who knows ??

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

good info, thanks for the post.

travelgoddess · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject: And more questions

Found some contacts on Boots N All.com,so emailed the "Colombia Experts" from this site the above q's as well as the following new ones.

Buying my plane ticket this week!!! Cant wait to be there!!!

7. Are there any online groups or websites that were helpful for you before you went or while you were there? For example, when I lived in Taiwan and Vietnam, there were expat sites for apartments,things for sale,etc.

8. How formal is the dress for ESL teaching jobs? Am used to business casual but due Colombia sounds more formal socially in such settings, wonder if I need to buy more formal business wear.

Will add answers I get to here as they come in.

Steph

travelgoddess

Just took a quick peak already,but one of the posts from the Bootsnall travel forums (from a native Colombian) mentioned this site. Unsure how useful it is just yet,so search with that in mind I guess.

http://www.metrocuadrado.com/servlet/co.com.m2.servlet.MostrarHome

TravellingAround · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 423

I'm in Colombia although not in Bogota but rather on the coast although I have been there to visit. A couple of good sites to look for answers regarding all things Colombian are....

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/

and

http://www.colombianblog.com/phpBB2/index.php?sid=322c7a1f74bc50bea24d850fb17b2c71

Regarding internet...I have wireless set up and you should be able to. There are a few restaurants nearby where I live with Wifi so I presume there should be more in Bogota which is a far bigger city although that is something you are best asking the locals when you get there.

Regarding phones I just bought a mobile when I got here...no problem buying SIM cards.

For teaching smart casual wear will be fine. I haven't found it to be formal in such settings but of course a teacher will be best dressing smartly and looking professional.

Regarding the teaching...in my experience Colombians are willing to respond to enthusiastic teaching and are far more vocal than I experienced when teaching Chinese kids. I'm sure they will respond well to whatever methods you use. I find that they seem to be very interested in your opinion, as a foreigner, of Colombia. I put this down to the negative depiction so prevalent regarding the country.