just wondering

Wastelandlive says on May 14, 2008, 09:12:

Pledge,

You can do this. A Colombian could stretch that money for a long, long time. It all depends on what you want. You're own pad? Why not try being a roommate for awhile... live as cheaply as you can.

And yes, you can find work teaching English. 20K an hour is pretty aggressive in that while you could easily do that one-on-one, you're unlikely to find a full time position that will pay you at the rate. (Classic consultant/contractor's dilemma).

But you can live on what you will earn...

I'd encourage you to give it a try. Leave yourself a cushion. Go to Medellin, live as cheaply as you can (i.e., don't be buying the rounds when you go out.) Find work teaching English, and see how things settle out. If you burn down to 5K AU, and you haven't found a way to make it work, call it a great vacation and go home...

Wasteland

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Mononoke28 says on May 14, 2008, 09:25:

Great advice.

Diana

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pledge305 says on May 14, 2008, 09:32:

thanks heaps for the advice wasteland !! I'll keep that in mind

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mranderson says on May 14, 2008, 09:56:

pledge I did the exact same thing. I came here with 10,000 usd and it's been over a year now and I'm still alive. But don't expect to find work at 20k pesos an hour. Most small institutes pay 10k or less per hour and they may only give you a few hours. Try to get a job at a big institute or university but that's difficult.

Honestly I have trouble finding private students willing to pay 20k an hour. When someone tells me they want private classes I usually say 25k an hour and they look at me like I'm insane. I just tell them to go to an institute and learn from non-natives. Of course you're going to need some material for private classes. Especially at the lower levels which most people are at.

By the way, I don't like one-on-one private classes. I think they are boring and more difficult. But depends also on the student.

Also, I don't live in poblado! I lived for a year in estrato 2! Much cheaper.

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pledge305 says on May 14, 2008, 10:06:

work wise it would be best to go to Medellin rather than santa marta ?

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vicshere says on May 14, 2008, 10:07:

Mr. A what you are saying is more the case regarding English teacher here in Colombia...if you can find a job at a University and work about 30 hours X 10,000 =1,200,000 month which for a single guy renting in a starto 3 should be ok...if you want to live high off the hog forget it

listo

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mranderson says on May 14, 2008, 10:11:

Here in medellin at a university it's more like 20-35k an hour, maybe more? At small institutes maybe 8-10k and hour.

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pledge305 says on May 14, 2008, 10:26:

to get a gig teaching at a Uni ..do you have to have any qualifications ? or is a TEFL cert enough plus some prior teaching experience.

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mranderson says on May 14, 2008, 10:38:

Probably a degree in something. But I don't know.

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vicshere says on May 14, 2008, 10:47:

""to get a gig teaching at a Uni ..do you have to have any qualifications ? or is a TEFL cert enough plus some prior teaching experience.""

this is necessary if you are going tot each curriculum students...but for regular extension students it is not required...of course all dependant on the school director

listo

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bickerss says on May 14, 2008, 15:04:

You could easily do it on that money if you use some nous. Staying in hostels here is very expensive if you are seeking your own room ie 50,000 pesos to 70 000 pesos a night. Much easier to find an apartment to share ie around 400,000 to 500,000 pesos a month. If you dont stay in Pobalado the prices are a lot less.

You can get a student visa for 700,000 pesos (1 year) in Medellin which will give u a cedula as well to make things easier. A few people I know here teach at the universities; and the money isnt too bad.

The thing that sucks here at the moment is the peso strength, however the AUD has kept pretty level as it too is soo strong.

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Robert Jorge says on May 14, 2008, 20:17:

But don't they pay Aussie English teachers less in Colombia, because of the accent? Jajaja - just joking with you Pledge.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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jorgegdiaz says on May 14, 2008, 20:47:

if you are going to party, why bother working?
Seriously, why would you want to go to work hungover (or with the munchies...) ?

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

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pledge305 says on May 14, 2008, 21:16:

"You can get a student visa for 700,000 pesos (1 year) in Medellin which will give u a cedula as well to make things easier. A few people I know here teach at the universities; and the money isnt too bad. "

a student visa...as in I can study Spanish or take courses ? ...or ..that will just enable me to work for a year....



"if you are going to party, why bother working?"

because I plan on staying in the city man for a year or more...hopefully ..10 grand will be good for setting up with by the sounds of things but I will need to have some income once I get settled

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pedro says on May 14, 2008, 21:42:

Do you speak Spanish at all?

That's the biggest predictor of whether you'll have a great time or not.

Why are you choosing Medellin?

If you're on a budget, you probably shouldn't live in Poblado. Things are not as cheap as they were two years ago. Other parts of the city will deliver you day-to-day living for a lot less cost.

que nota!

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pledge305 says on May 14, 2008, 22:10:

I speak very baisic Spanish ...I would like to learn spanish while I am there..

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