We're On Our Way, but Don't Know Where We're Going
March 31, 2010 8:53 AM Subscribe
What are some great work abroad opportunities for two friends not looking to settle down yet?
I'm a 29-year old second grade teacher in NYC and my friend is a 24-year old recent library school graduate (both Americans). We're planning a long trip to Europe this summer, but neither of us have anything solid to come back to. We will not have jobs, an apartment, or any romantic relationships in the city; thus, we would like to take advantage of this perfect storm of rootlessness and do the crazy shit people always wish they could have done when they were young and spry.
We need something that pays money or provides us with adequate housing and food, as we are not independently wealthy. We've been considering teaching in South America, but really have no preferences. We would rather not live in an extremely impoverished, underdeveloped area. The focus of our plans would be more on being in a different location than volunteering or doing good works. If this is through a program, we would like to apply to one that we would both have a reasonable chance of being accepted into.
We don't mind having to learn a new language, as long as it's not a requirement for admission. We both know survival Spanish and she is fluent in French.
So, what are specific programs that you have heard of or have had experience with? What types of jobs are available for people with our qualifications, and what are some things that we could do in the meantime in order to prepare? Helpful websites? Charming anecdotes?
Even vague suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I'm a 29-year old second grade teacher in NYC and my friend is a 24-year old recent library school graduate (both Americans). We're planning a long trip to Europe this summer, but neither of us have anything solid to come back to. We will not have jobs, an apartment, or any romantic relationships in the city; thus, we would like to take advantage of this perfect storm of rootlessness and do the crazy shit people always wish they could have done when they were young and spry.
We need something that pays money or provides us with adequate housing and food, as we are not independently wealthy. We've been considering teaching in South America, but really have no preferences. We would rather not live in an extremely impoverished, underdeveloped area. The focus of our plans would be more on being in a different location than volunteering or doing good works. If this is through a program, we would like to apply to one that we would both have a reasonable chance of being accepted into.
We don't mind having to learn a new language, as long as it's not a requirement for admission. We both know survival Spanish and she is fluent in French.
So, what are specific programs that you have heard of or have had experience with? What types of jobs are available for people with our qualifications, and what are some things that we could do in the meantime in order to prepare? Helpful websites? Charming anecdotes?
Even vague suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I have a friend who became certified in teaching English as a foreign language through the programs offered on this site (some are online, some are location based, they seem reasonably priced from the small amount of research I've been doing on the topic). He had a job secured in a Southeast Asia country before he even graduated college (I'm planning on doing the same once I'm finished with my grad program). Might be something you'd be interested in, especially as you're already a teacher?
posted by LokiBear at 11:26 AM on March 31, 2010
posted by LokiBear at 11:26 AM on March 31, 2010
I lied--the referenced friend got certified through THIS site and then got a job. He ended up not taking it to get a grad degree.
Another friend from college got his certification through the original site I posted, and he is currently on his second year teaching in South Korea.
posted by LokiBear at 11:28 AM on March 31, 2010
Another friend from college got his certification through the original site I posted, and he is currently on his second year teaching in South Korea.
posted by LokiBear at 11:28 AM on March 31, 2010
My friend got her english teaching cert in Prague and is teaching in Seoul, after a stint in Buenos Aires. There's also the option of working holiday visas. As Americans under 30, you can work in Australia (1 year, or 4 months via Bunac - if you want to do both you need to do the shorter one first), New Zealand (1 year) and Singapore (6 months).
A shorter-term option is to volunteer with a venue at the Edinburgh Fringe in July/August. Some of the bigger venues will house you and provide a stipend and free theatre in exchange for volunteer work; I hear the Pleasance pays the best. I worked for a different large venue one summer and it was certainly an experience!
I'm currently in New Zealand, and it's been awesome so far, although finding work here has been more of a challenge than it was in Australia. I'm not sure how it is for teachers from the US, but I have a friend from the UK who's been able to find substitute work here. Drop me a line if you have any questions about the working holiday thing; I'm now on my 4th visa...
posted by clipperton at 2:59 PM on March 31, 2010
A shorter-term option is to volunteer with a venue at the Edinburgh Fringe in July/August. Some of the bigger venues will house you and provide a stipend and free theatre in exchange for volunteer work; I hear the Pleasance pays the best. I worked for a different large venue one summer and it was certainly an experience!
I'm currently in New Zealand, and it's been awesome so far, although finding work here has been more of a challenge than it was in Australia. I'm not sure how it is for teachers from the US, but I have a friend from the UK who's been able to find substitute work here. Drop me a line if you have any questions about the working holiday thing; I'm now on my 4th visa...
posted by clipperton at 2:59 PM on March 31, 2010
I'm in a very similar situation myself, and finally decided to use the opportunity to go teach in South Korea for the foreseeable future. There's a lot of great information out there, including a MeFi thread I started here not too long ago.
I've heard the market in Korea is a bit more competitive than it used to be, but I've still been able to land a couple of offers after only a month or so of job-hunting. Considering that you have proper education credentials and public-school experience, you'll have no problem landing a job here. Just be sure to read the contract very carefully.
Working holidays are also a great option, although I believe as an American you would be limited to Australia and New Zealand (although I could be mistaken). Just make sure you have plenty of savings if you want to go this route - you might be able to find work while you're stateside, but it's more likely that you won't find work until after you arrive.
posted by photo guy at 3:42 PM on March 31, 2010
I've heard the market in Korea is a bit more competitive than it used to be, but I've still been able to land a couple of offers after only a month or so of job-hunting. Considering that you have proper education credentials and public-school experience, you'll have no problem landing a job here. Just be sure to read the contract very carefully.
Working holidays are also a great option, although I believe as an American you would be limited to Australia and New Zealand (although I could be mistaken). Just make sure you have plenty of savings if you want to go this route - you might be able to find work while you're stateside, but it's more likely that you won't find work until after you arrive.
posted by photo guy at 3:42 PM on March 31, 2010
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posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:08 AM on March 31, 2010