Job Discussion Forums

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

So I was shopping around for TEFL jobs when I got a strange offer. Teach English in the arctic to an Inuit tribe. I am very tempted to take this. Even though it's not a TEFL job and I won't "technically" be outside of the US (although it clearly will be in a totally different culture) this is such a strange job opportunity that I'm having a hard time turning it down. I mean China will always be there, but the arctic... I mean with global warming and everything who knows right?

Thoughts?

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Do you care to share how much they will pay you? You can pm me if you don't want to post on here. I am curious what they pay!!!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Just don't "blubber" about it. Laughing

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

I knew a guy who taught French in Yellowknife (that's in the Northwest Territories, Canada). He LOVED it (also got paid a truckload). I lost touch with him, but I heard he went back.

One thing, though. If you actually need to teach English to an Inuit tribe in Alaska, that sounds like it will be pretty far from a city. Anchorage has 40% of the population of Alaska, and Alaska is the biggest state in the US (about a fifth the size of the entire contiguous US land-mass) and also has the LOWEST population of any state in the US.

I say do it (if for no other reason than the Northern Lights). But keep in mind that if you go, you may not be able to get out if you don't like it (not all that different than if you are in very rural of almost anywhere, though), depending on where you are (but OTOH, if it was all that way out there and have no contact with the cities, WHY would they want or need someone to teach them English, right?).

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

I actually don't get paid much. It ain't that kind of job. I don't care about money though. I'm deep in debt from the man and they take all my earnings anyway. I tend to negotiate for housing and food and health care and that kind of thing. LOL I was actually thinking about getting a hunting license to live off the land some...

As for Anchorage and such... I said the Arctic man. Anchorage is about 500 miles from the arctic...... The arctic is where the tundra starts... the perma frost... the land of eternal ice. Anchorage ain't nothing like it. No, unlike Anchorage, it's certainly a place far far away from anything on it. As for why teach them english, that's standard US GOV policy for dealing with native indians. Teach them... convert them... pacify them. Been doing it for 200 years.

Its true the average temperature at the place is -30 in january and the closest shopping mall is 700 miles away, and the people who live there don't know what a Starbucks is, but that's all the experience of it. You know.

Maybe China does make more sense, but I can do that next year. Very Happy

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

Do you think you can entertain yourself? reading, movies, etc? If so, then go for it, you-re right. It-s a once in a lifetime opp.

leslie · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 235

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

Sounds like an amazing opportunity, although a year seems like a long time - imagine if you start hating it. I would love to give it a try though.

Marquess · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 165

Inuits are great binge drinkers.

dharma86 · Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 187 Location: Southside baby!

Sounds brilliant. (except for the weather)

A completely unique experience you should definitely go for it!

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

Oh well it's a government job. Having worked for the Government before, I'm not all that worried about somebody taking the job from me. Unless I attack a kid or just stop showing up (for a couple weeks) ya'll will have to wait for me to retire or die.

Cool

Chancellor

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Id do it...I did look for something similar before after it being suggested on this forum before ... I didnt find anything that was suitable for my skill set and qualifications, but I would jump at the chance to do this job!

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

I spent one summer in the arctic above fort Yukon. There were three of us, I was the leader of an expedition doing research on the Athapaskan Indians along the Yukon river. We headed down the river in a 20 foot Owens lake boat we had dubbed "The Northern Lights" we were doing research comparing Stress of City Dwellers VS Wilderness Dwellers in the Arctic. We asked a lot of questions about diet and exercise, family health histories and took Blood Pressures. Then compared the data with City dwellers in Sacramento, CA.

Going down the Yukon river in the summer is magnificent but after hearing from the tribal people about the harshness, darkness, boredom (cabin fever) of the long winters I was glad just to be a guest during the summer. About halfway through the journey I sprained my ankle so badly I had to be flown out in a single plop airplane, then hitch hike a 100 miles to get to the nearest doctor.
While waiting for the airplane to arrive I was fed Bear gruel in a log cabin! Mighty tasty grub!

If you could land a summer job, I'd say go for it. But if you have to stay for the winter, I'd think twice and three times before committing to it. Winter food consist mostly of salted salmon and they do eat quite a bit of "blubber". A lot might depend on what village you are in and what kind of access they have to fresh food during the winter.