Job Discussion Forums

[oriley]

I am a recent college graduate and i am seriously entertaing the thought of going to teach/possibly start a small business in brazil.....I have never been to brazil, so i wanted to find out some info.I have a bachelors degree. I am hoping to save some money if economy gets better before i arrive, however i also need info about coming in with little or no cash.......thanks in advance:

1. Are there m/any african americans men teaching in brazil?
2.Info on transportation....expensive or getting a car?
3.cost of living and currency exchange?
4. How quick can i get a job with no teaching experience or tefl certificate?
5.Internet access and connectivity..

Anymore advice will be much appreciated

Thanks

[Justin Trullinger]

I don't know Sao Paolo,
so will stick to what I know. If you're hoping to arrive on little to no cash, it would be a mistake. At best, assuming you find a job right away, you wouldn't be paid for a month or a bit more.

Odds of finding a job that immediately without any relevant qualifications I don't know in Brazil, would be poor in a lot of Latin America.

Most places unless you're living in the lap of luxury, internet will be available, unreliable, and slow.



Best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

Might try posting on the Latin America or Brasil forum.

From what I know, based on peru, cars are super expensive, you'll be payign the same as in the US, but have a lower salary.

Exchange rates are here www.xe.com

Finding jobs, pretty easy,k picking up enough hours to live on is another thing, you might only get 5 hours a week for a while.

Internet cafes are all over.

No teaching experience, no tefl cert, no prob, but again, you'll be starting at the low end as far as salaries are concerned. Some places will just hire native speakers, but you won't be getting as much as someone with experience.

[oriley]

I appreciate your responses......I tried the Brazil forum but no response....seems rather dead over there. I would like to get a response on the race relations and probability of getting a job being an african american male

[littlebadmonkey]

oriley
I have never been to Sao Paolo but I vacationed in Rio for about a month several years ago. From what I remember, there is a rather large black population in Rio, they make up a large part of brazilian culture. When I was there it wasn't uncommon to see black brazilians with european looking, "light color skinned" brazilian girls. Generally speaking there didn't seem to be any sort of negative race relations from what I could tell. I was actually suprised at how liberal Rio was generally speaking. I don't think Sao Paolo is as liberal as Rio but I can't imagine it being that far off.

[Justin Trullinger]

Can't comment on Brasil, but...

Latin America in general is a mixed bag, race relations wise. People certainly don-t hesitate to talk about race, and describing race is no more politically incorrect here than describing color of hair or eyes.

How do they feel about it...

Complicated. In Ecuador, where I live, I've known and worked with a fair number of African and Carribean teachers, as well as Americans, Canadians, and Brits with African roots. It's certainly do-able. But...there is a stereotype of what an "English Speaker" looks like. And you aren't it. An "English Speaker," to a lot of latins, is tall, blonde, and blue eyed. So you will run into questions of where you're originally from. YOu'll run into questions about your accent, and worse. (Hollywood is big. Do you speak "real" English, or only like those peole we can't understand in the movies? Is your accent different because of the weird African languages you speak? Are there cannibals in your part of Africa? )

It's a big chance to educate, and be educated! But...you would put up with some crap. If you're willing, I think it could be great. BUt you should know what you're heading for.

As for the availability of jobs in Sao Paolo. Let's be straight: your appearance is probably not in your favour. But, from what I hear, there will be enough of a shortage of native teachers there that if you are well presented, professional, and patient, you'll have opportunities.

This is based on hearsay. I have never been to Brasil. Guessing based on what I've heard, and what I've seen in other parts of SA. BUt this isn't guaranteed- hope somebody who knows brasil chimes in soon.


Best,
Justin

[Manaus]

[caustic yeti]

in regards to your skin color, brazil will be more hospitable to you than a lot of countries (especially asian counrties). brazil's heritage is very diverse, and skin color doesn't really pigeonhole the individual.

socio-economic status mostly determines your standing in their culture.

brazilians have a saying that "money whitens". that sounds pretty messed up at first thought, but what it really means is that your personal achievements transcend skin color in their society.

that being said, there are some roles assigned to certain races in brazil, but they're not necessarily negative. people of african descent often have certain jobs reserved for them that are seen as prestegious. but you, being an american english teacher, will be exactly that. (for the most part)

[JZer]