Job Discussion Forums

[real2104]

Hello!

My friend is an American citizen (born in US/native speaker) who is halfway through her BA and is TEFL certified, but is open to gaining a trinity/celta if it would help her chances of securing a good job abroad.

She's not so keen on the Asian countries like China, Thailand etc.. would prefer something European like Germany, but is also open to working in the poorer parts of Europe too, or even places like Turkey/Spain etc...

Can anyone tell us what her options may be?

[Glenski]

Your post subject line asks what your options are, then you proceed to write about a friend's. Why can't your friend post here?

Options are pretty limited, IMO, if she doesn't have a degree yet. Is she planning on finishing it before looking for work?

Europe is off limits to Americans, except for eastern European countries, due to visa restrictions. A little research on this forum will show that.

[spiral78]

US citizens don't have a chance in Western European countries, unless she wants to enroll in a Eurpean university on a genuine study programme, in which case she can work part time to support her studies.

Central/Eastern Europe are still possible, though employers in some regions prefer UK citizens as there are no visa issues. It is difficult and expensive to get a visa for a non-EU teacher, and where there are many teachers around, employers will always go for the UK candidates, obviously.

Your friend could usefully read through the Turkey/Czech Rep/Poland forums below for current information regarding job opps.

A 'good job'? I don't know your criteria, but newbie level pay in this region is subsistence level at best. No chance to save up or pay off debts back home. Further, most jobs are not found from abroad - one needs to be here to job-search in person. This implies start-up costs of flight and accomodation etc for a couple of months prior to getting a first paycheck, assuming that a job is found.

[naturegirl321]

WHat about Mexico? China and Mexico are good places for newbies, and if your friend doesn't like CHina, maybe Mexico would be good.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Ukraine, Russia, Czech, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan...