Hello,
First off "THANK GOD I FOUND THIS WEBSITE!!".
I am Canadian, and living in Canada, and will soon be getting married to my fiancee in Medellin. I met her in California, where I was working as an engineer on a temp work VISA, and she was working here and there with no legal status.
I quit my job to stay with her, as they were making me return to Ottawa. After several months of not being able to get a job (no one wants to give you a VISA in a bad economy), we decided to take the plunge and have her move to Canada. You don't have to be married to sponsor someone to Canada, but you can't be living illegally in another country either.
Anywhoo, I went back up to Canada to work in commision sales (so I can take time off whenever I want to go to Colombia) and my finacee (girlfriend at the time) to Medellin to work for her dad. Unfortunately, the immigration process will take forever (1 - 2 years) and the fact she worked illegally in the USA is not going to help one bit.
I travelled for the first time to Colombia (MEdellin) to see her in June (I proposed to her while I was there) and well... Colombia is certainly an experience! Lots to offer, but I will NEVER get used to the way Colombians drive!! It took me a while to used to Americans, but at least they stop at stop signs (and passing people on the mountains... I almost passed out!!). Everyone was very nice to me, and all the warnings about how I would be killed and kidnapped seemed to be in Vain (although the street vendors saw dollar signs all over me)
Well, to get to the point, I am considering working in Colombia if I can. I don't think we can pull off being separated for 20 months only seeing each other every 5th week or so. I was hoping to be able to work in Colombia at a decent job for maybe 2 months at a time, and I could go back to Canada once in a while and do sales to earn the real money we will need to have a good life (no insult to Colombia, but I make more money in one day than my fiancee makes in one month in Colombia).
I will seek proper work VISAs at the Colombian cosulate in Toronto.
Now that your all bored my real questions:
1. What type of work could I get? Could I teach English (I cannot speak Spanish... I know some words, and I am getting better, but I honestly can't compose sentences or understand when people ask me anything more difficult than if I need a taxi).
2. I have a degree in mechanical engineering (with honours) from the university of Ottawa. Could this help (even though I don't speak Spanish?)
3. Are there any Canadians who view this site who have immigration advice or work advice for me?
4. MOST IMPORTANT -- Where the hell do I look for employment possibilities in Colombia? Honestly, I don't have the slightest idea where to start.
5. I have pictures of Medellin that are really nice from my trip. How can I upload them to the site?
6. I am guessing Medellin or Bogota as to where to go. My fiancee was born and raised on the mountain side of Medellin overlooking the city (Near the new mall with the tower and skating rink...) and she is VERY proud of her city... I think she would only tolerate Bogota as an alternative.
I would greatly appreciate any help!
Dave
By daver on Jul 19, 2004, 16:03 in Friendly Talkzone.
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Asil says on Jul 20, 2004, 20:00: Hey Dave,
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Danman says on Jul 22, 2004, 12:24: Would like to work in Colombia as well Daver
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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cristina8463 says on Jul 22, 2004, 16:13: Working in Colombia Hello,
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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vicshere says on Jul 22, 2004, 16:37: canadain here daver i am canadian living in bucaramanga send me an email and we can chat some more vicshere at hotmail.com listo 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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cggreen says on Jul 24, 2004, 05:20: job site http://www.keaglobal.com is a job site that will allow you to post a resume for employers in Colombia to find you
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
More posts by the same author:
New Socialist Bloque in Latin America? 44
The Gringo's Paisa selection Process: 4
I have a beef with Medellin Rental/Credit Agencies 17
Added New Pictures to my gallery 13
Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 in Bogota 11
Entering Colombia... third time, and married 20
Stop Over in Bogota ... need help. Thanks 30
Important question for Utopiacowboy! 3
Wedding in Medellin... need help 27
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