Is it really that difficult?

Wastelandlive says on Feb 6, 2006, 15:02:

Masterpiece... I sense your frustration. Perhaps there aren't many members who know both Equador and Colombia?

I don't. I know Colombia fairly well, and I know that jobs are tough... that you have the right to work is helpful. But if you are an American - well, what salary do you expect?

Perhaps I'm not the best one to advise you. I'd like to help, but there is a lot of information missing.

What do you do? What do you want to do? How much do you need to earn?

My inclination is to tell you that Colombia is not going to be any better than Equador, but I'd need to know more. Try posting this in "Friendly talk zone."

Wasteland

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Masterpiece says on Feb 6, 2006, 16:37:

More about me, and where Ecuador is Ecuador is located right next to Colombia, things were ok here up until two years ago, and since then it has been basically impossible to find any kind of work. Since I have moved to South America most of my work has been Teaching English, but my profession is in Computer Systems. I know the basic salaries for both countries are about the same, but when I check the Colombian new paper there seams to be alot of work out there.
Just over the past two years I have lost one business here due to the economy, and my financial status is critical.

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juancegomez says on Feb 6, 2006, 17:18:

It depends Unemployment per se isn't the main part of the problem here right now (though it's hardly something to be ignored), but there is a sizable amount of underemployment (temporary and/or low paying jobs ) and, generally, a lot of competition for whatever employment there is. So you can bet that those ads usually (not universally, of course) prompt a lot of responses.

Of course, the point is that this may or may not be a somewhat better situation than the equivalent one in Ecuador, depending on the job/industry involved (I personally can't comment on the status of Computer Systems here, so my comments are related to the general job climate).

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Wastelandlive says on Feb 6, 2006, 17:35:

Computer Systems is likely saturated. Every Juan, Pablo, and Jose is studying "sistemas" en Cartagena. Their preparation is pretty poor, but you sound experienced enough to know what will happen when you offer your "quality over thrift" selling pitch to your average Colombian firm.

I will suggest that finding work as an English teacher is relatively simple since Americans are so terrified of Colombia; I was offered that job on a couple of occassions and turned it down because I didn't feel the salary was sufficient. You might feel differently since you say your economic situation is "critical."

But I can't help but opine... Colombia is the last place I'd want to be if my economic situation were critical. You might have visa problems (funds being a prerequisite of any long term visa.) You can't fly into the country on a one way ticket, though you could drive there through some scary places. And once you are there? VERY scary place to be without the money to look after yourself.

(Just ask some displaced Colombians.)

People in that position start looking for quick and easy ways to turn a buck... and you don't want to go down that road.

Best to come home and build up the kitty before you try again. It's still the land of opportunity here: life is better in Colombia, if more dangerous, when you've got something. Life is better in the US when you've got nothing.

Wasteland

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Masterpiece says on Feb 6, 2006, 17:44:

thank you for your concern There are various reasons for me not returning to the US. And I am not willing to go and to any detail at least not on the site. I thank you for your advice and know returning to the US would be the best option, but it is not a option for me right now. As far as a visa, I have all documents required to work in most of the South American countries.

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Wastelandlive says on Feb 6, 2006, 18:01:

"I'd like to settle down, but they won't let me..." "A fugitive must be a rolling stone,"
"There's one more city just on down the highway,"
'Cause I'm an outlaw, and the road is my hooooooooome."

I'm not really a NICE guy Masterpiece. Just a helpful a-hole.

You know what? I hate to say this... you may be dedicated to South America. But if I were broke, and teaching English were my gig, I would scrape up a plane ticket to Taiwan or Japan. I hear they pay real money for English teachers there... the kind that will leave you excess savings, and maybe a way to dig yourself out of your hole.

Of course, they might have extradition treaties too.

Wasteland

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Masterpiece says on Feb 6, 2006, 18:16:

Problems are not that big The problem is only statewide not nationally. Also it was something that happened nine years ago, but Texas especially small counties do not forget. Call me whatever you want, but unless you know my you are in no place to pass judgment.

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Masterpiece says on Feb 6, 2006, 18:33:

About settling down If you read the above you'd see I have settled down. I have complete residence in two countries under my real name, and I am also married. I am not here to be judged or to judge others. I came here to look for solutions.

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Wastelandlive says on Feb 6, 2006, 18:44:

OK. Big Hug. I'm sorry. Maybe Taiwan is not such a hot idea.

Wasteland

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Masterpiece says on Feb 6, 2006, 19:09:

You are funny No Taiwan is not a good idea, costs too much money.

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 6, 2006, 21:22:

Hey, you aren't Speedy Hutcheson, are you? He and his girlfriend ran off with a lot of 4-H money several years ago and believe me, if you come back, yes, you are in trouble.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Masterpiece says on Feb 7, 2006, 10:49:

You have the wrong person I did not run off with anything, I am not a thief.

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LeofromPereira says on Feb 10, 2006, 09:59:

Come to Pereira FYI, there are a lot of places here in Pereira hiring foreign people to teach English as second language...

Leonardo G.
bixarre at hotmail.com

Leonardo G. bixarre@hotmail.com

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LeofromPereira says on Feb 10, 2006, 09:59:

Come to Pereira FYI, there are a lot of places here in Pereira hiring foreign people to teach English as second language...

Leonardo G.
bixarre at hotmail.com

Leonardo G. bixarre@hotmail.com

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