Job Discussion Forums

[yli]

Well, there's no smooth or graceful way to begin, so let's start with awkward, shall we?

I am a 21 year old economics major attending the University of Maryland, College Park. Expected graduation date is December of 2010.

My reasons for wanting to teach English abroad are numerous. To make this easier to read, I'll just make a list:

1.) Going elsewhere, doing something else: I enjoy traveling and experiencing new and different things. It's that simple. I want to leave for another place.

2.) I have recurring nightmares of being trapped in a cubicle wearing a suit and tie: This one pretty much explains itself.

3.) Shoring up my resume: I admit to having a tough time in college. I want to go to grad school eventually, probably studying International Development. Extra experience and some time off from school here would be helpful.

4.) Putting my money where my mouth is: If I claim to display concerns about the state of the rest of the world, I can start by going to the rest of the world.

I currently work part time as a tutor teaching teenagers English so that they can pass their SATs/TOEFL. I work with small groups mostly though, not large classrooms.

Now I have a few questions for you:

1.) How do I get started? I think someone in my situation needs to get a TEFL certificate. But from where? There are many places, and the risk of getting scammed is pretty high. If anyone here has taken the TEFL cert. route, how did you get one? From where did you get it?

2.) I speak Mandarin Chinese at a native level. Will this help me? Especially if I'm looking for work in China.

3.) I have some health concerns (that are fairly minor). However, foreign employers might not exactly be too understanding about it. What exactly goes into a Z-Visa health checkup anyway?

[Chancellor]

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

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