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kotoko
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Posts: 109
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 Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:02 am Post subject: Countries that are too dangerous to work in? |
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I'm keeping my eye on the esl market ready for when I leave my current job next summer. I always wonder when I see jobs listed for Kuwait, or Mexico (with all the drugs scandals and so on) and wonder.. is it actually safe to teach there?
Do you think people would need to avoid those jobs? Would they be the ones to apply for because no one else would dare to? What are your own boundaries?
Just curious  |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:30 am Post subject: |
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| When I think of dangerous places to teach, I think of Afganistan, Iraq, or the Congo. I don't think Mexico or Kuwait fit the discription of overly dangerous places to teach, in my humble opinion. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:18 am Post subject: |
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I don't think Mexico would be dangerous. Kuwait, maybe because of the Kuwait war people think it's dangerous. But if you look at the job board, there's ajob in Iraq, and they offer danger pay. If you're looking to work in a dangerous country, usually the "danger" pay is a good tip off, though it might be worth your while if money is a big concern.
Libya often has job adverts, don't know if you would consider that dangerous or not.
I MIGHT have applied to a "dangerous" country, for the experience, if I were single. |
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kotoko
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Posts: 109
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:01 am Post subject: |
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I'm glad to hear that Mexico is safer than it appears in the media 
I don't think I'd ever go for a dangerous job. I just wondered where the general "no-go" areas were. There was, however, a job listed for North Korea a month ago, which I would have gone for  It'd be quite the experience I think. |
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artemisia
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 875
Location: the world
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:15 am Post subject: |
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| What are your own boundaries? |
To not put myself in any situation I don't think I'd be easily able to extricate myself from. 'Danger' can be be a subjective concept. It's not if you've got suicide bombers etc. on the loose in terms of immediate (long-term) physical safety, but there are other dangers - emotional/ psychological - just feeling safe. Some people cope better with that than others. As you'll know if you've worked abroad, it can be hard enough to arrive somewhere new and cope with all that goes with that AND have an obviously risky environment to contend with as well.
Even the most interesting of places will not feel that great initially if you're not in a safe part of it. I met a teacher who'd done a short teaching stint in Vienna - a beautiful city - but did not feel safe due to the location of accommodation.
I investigated a few places for teaching myself and I'm dubious about any country that'd require me to hand over my passport and keep it for the duration of a teaching contract (and some potential employers seem to do so), unless I've misunderstood the fine print. That probably rules out a lot of the ME for me. If you're got a reputable employer who looks after you it might be worth it but the thing is - what is something goes wrong? Who will you turn to? How will you get yourself out of it? I'd not be relying on embassies for help in some countries.
Anyway, the golden rules I'd always apply are to have enough money, changeable air tickets, at least some basic language phrases (translator, etc) & local city maps to leave in a hurry - if you HAVE TO (and keep things 'open' at home if possible). I'm not advocating breaking contracts and fleeing unless it's really necessary.
The one time I 'broke' one my rules (re: easily changable air tickets) I lived to regret it - big time. And that wasn't even a job, I was just visiting somewhere & checking out the local job scene.
I wanted to flee all right but not because of the country or its people or any obvious safety issues. |
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Isla Guapa
Joined: 19 Apr 2010
Posts: 1520
Location: Mexico City o sea La Gran Manzana Mexicana
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:29 am Post subject: |
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| kotoko wrote: |
I'm glad to hear that Mexico is safer than it appears in the media
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Keep in mind that there are certain parts of the country that have gotten more dangerous in recent years. For instance, I wouldn't consider working in Ciudad Ju�rez, which has become a really dangerous city. But I can't think of why anyone would choose to live there even if it were as safe as where I am now . |
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bulgogiboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 6:51 am Post subject: |
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| I don't think Mexico would be dangerous. |
Maybe not in Cancun, but, as the previous poster pointed out, some towns, like Ciudad Juarez, are unbelievably dangerous. They have thousands of murders per year, and these cities aren't particularly big either!
Why would Kuwait be dangerous? From what I've heard, it's simply dull...
And I'd rather live in Saana, Yemen than South Central LA! |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003
Posts: 952
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 7:32 am Post subject: |
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| Libya often has job adverts, don't know if you would consider that dangerous or not. |
not at all ..... unless you call crossing roads dangerous.
best
basil |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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| basiltherat wrote: |
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| Libya often has job adverts, don't know if you would consider that dangerous or not. |
not at all ..... unless you call crossing roads dangerous.
best
basil |
In that case, put Cairo on the list. It's a real life version of frogger without the marked lanes. |
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crewmeal1
Joined: 08 Jul 2010
Posts: 75
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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I work in the heart of Birmingham (UK) and wouldn't be seen out at night. It's one of the most unsafe places to be after dark. I've also worked in Istanbul, NW Pakistan, Syria and Jordan and have never felt unsafe at all.
Before teaching I used to be a 'trolley dolly' and went around the world and never had any problems, but I heeded advice and stayed away from trouble spots. |
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bulgogiboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:25 am Post subject: |
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| It's one of the most unsafe places to be after dark. |
I don't doubt what you're saying, but I think this could describe almost any city in the UK these days, couldn't it? London, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, could you safely walk round the city centres of any of these cities late at night? Even more on Fri/Sat nights. And it's not just big cities, the small city where I went to uni the first time, Dundee, is an absolute nightmare at nights, especially Thur-Sat. The taxi rank is particularly detestable, with everyone stumbling around drunk, talking trash, puking. The moderate alcohol consumption I saw in Turkey was one reason I didn't mind going out to pubs/clubs there. I wouldn't go to a nightclub in a British city if you paid me.
The amount of police on the streets is a joke as well.
I grew up in the UK, and have worked in Turkey, Korea, China and Thailand. The streets in British cities are by far the most intimidating, from those 5 countries, in my experience. In terms of street violence, I'm sure there was a UN report in recent years which put Scotland and England way up the top. There's a very macho, violent culture amongst young men here which seems to equate beating up people with the transition to manhood.
In contrast, you aren't going to get set upon by random strangers if you walk the streets of Tripoli, not unless you've been trying to get too friendly with their womenfolk! |
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kaw
Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 302
Location: somewhere hot and sunny
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Apart from the crazy drivers Kuwait is safe - and as a single woman have felt safer and other ME countries as well as Libya than I do in the UK.
You'll possibly suffer from acute boredom every so often but easily cured with a weekend away to the bright lights. |
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bookishbloke
Joined: 12 Aug 2009
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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| London and the UK are on high alert and a terrorist attack is expected at at any time. I believe France and Germany are in the same boat. That rules out parts of western Europe before getting on to the usual suspects. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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I wonder if the new Dear Leader is looking for a teacher  Now *that* is a place I'd feel uncomfortable in. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| I avoid city centres in Scotland and England. I am not scared of terrorist attacks. It is the local chavs and neds that frighten me ! And the chavettes and nedettes. |
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