Job Discussion Forums

[scb222]

hi, im interested in teaching in costa rica. ive taught in south korea, laos, turkey and australia. i have 9 years experience and 3 degrees, one in education and a teaching certificate from australian universities. how does one go about finding schools to apply to? also, do schools provide a work visa? is it possible for australians to teach in CR? any advice or info would be much appreciated.

thanks susan.

[OleLarssen]

Hello Susan!

I don't mean to be rude, but you can find the answers to your questions by looking a bit around the forum. There are plenty of threads covering things like this.

In short: Yes, you will get a job, probably in a university, which will pay, uhhh, around $700 a month I think (John?). Try PMing John Hall who works at UCLA, he will be able to help you a lot if you rub him the right way ;)

[scb222]

sorry, but i didnt see anything that related directly to australians teaching in cr, nor about whether we would be given work visas. i'll look again, but thanks for your reply regardless.

[OleLarssen]

Ok ok now I feel bad so I'll help you out a little. :)

how does one go about finding schools to apply to?

You come to Costa Rica with some savings and spend a month or two talking to people and looking around, eventually you'll find something that is right.

also, do schools provide a work visa?

Generally no, but some will help you get it. I don't think anyone, except maybe really high-class private American schools, would get it for you.

is it possible for australians to teach in CR?

Definitively, as long as you're a native speaker it's good enough. It kind of depends on your accent though, if it's superstrong Australian (which to me sounds something like sloiehtfslifslefmnsleifj mate?) and you're not good at toning it down, it might pose a slight problem. But I wouldn't worry about it.

[scb222]

thanks for your reply. nah my accent is a light american one as i spend quite a lot of time there. where do teachers in cr do a visa run to then if few have a work visa? i wouldnt mind using cr as a stepping stone to getting a green card for the usa, is it possible do you think? i have heard of others trying this.

[MO39]

[scb222]

yes, well if you read my post you will see that i am asking the same question.

[Elkythedogsperson]

Regarding the visa runs...most non-residents working or overstaying the 90 limit who are in CR on a tourist visa must do a visa run out of the country�Panama or Nicaragua�for three days (i.e. 72 hours) every three months. Some, however, have found a contact to bribe their way around this. Usually your employer is the best source of info on this if they don't assist with a work visa outright.

As for working in CR to assist with getting a USA "green card" I don't see how it would be any help at all. The "green card" implies US sponsorship for employment, etc.

[scb222]

yes i didnt understand it either. im starting to wonder if perhaps the person that i believe is doing this is getting CR citizenship first and then trying to immigrate to the US??? i have no idea. but thanks for the other info, quite helpful.

[augrad]

Costa Rican citizens are looked upon the same as Mexicans when it comes to getting into the US. It is EXTREMELY hard unless you have blood relatives here who can sponser you. I would think it would be easier for an Aussie to get in than a Central American--especially an educated one. Just my 2 cents!

Personally, I can't imagine who would want to come here now with all the crap going on in this country. It is just a matter of time before our government runs out of money completely, or devalues the dollar so much that it won't be worth spit. Some of the states here are taking out loans to pay the Public School teachers EVERY MONTH!! My family will be moving to Central America after the kids are out of school in June. I love my country, but that ship has sailed!