Teaching in Barranquilla - BIC

roadrunner says on Mar 31, 2004, 12:01:

Teaching in BIC I also applied to teach at the school. They have phoned for references and said I was to be interviewed, but not heard anything yet. Am also trying to find out how safe it is. When will you hear? Where in China did you teach? Have also applied there.

roadrunner

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bubba_jones says on Apr 3, 2004, 07:34:

Barranquilla Hello you two

I used to live in Barraquilla and knew a few of the teachers at BIC. As far as I know the school is OK and pays quite well. What do you teach ?

Barranquilla is as safe as it gets in Colombia. Don't go wandering around in the wrong sections of town wearing your best gold jewelry and you'll be OK. Do what you would do in any big western city. Be sensible etc. I personally never had any problems and the people who did were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The city is big and sweaty with a lot of industry. The people are nice - certaunly more open and friendly than in Bogota.

As for raw vegetables ... god knows ? You can get salads and that.

WOuld be happy to answer any further questions.

Bubba

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roadrunner says on Apr 16, 2004, 14:50:

BIC Love to know if you got the job. I've just been offered a job. School sounds ok as does Barranquilla.

roadrunner

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roadrunner says on Apr 16, 2004, 15:03:

spanish Can't seem to create a new topic. But would love to know if there is much difference between ' european spanish' and SA spanish. If I learn european spanish will i be Ok in S america?

roadrunner

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Apr 16, 2004, 17:29:

you'll be fine European Spanish and Colombian Spanish are entirely compatible. You will experience no difficulty in making yourself understood. The hard part is understanding Spanish when talked very fast or with a regional dialect, like on the Atlantic coast.
Cheers,
Dd

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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roadrunner says on Apr 18, 2004, 15:00:

what to expect Thanks Desideria. By accident found a lady who lives in my street who is spanish and teaches the language - just booked some lessons.
Next question is what I will be expected to pay for a flat. Do they come furnished or unfurnished?
What things are expensive in Barranquilla - or what should I bring with me?
My partner and 3 year old son will be joining me. He is a hairdresser - whats the chance of work?

roadrunner

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scr says on Jul 16, 2004, 02:46:

barranquilla hi, i'm from barranquilla and i think i may be of help. As for BIC it is one of the best in colombia, and also one of the most expensive. It is a great school, strong principles, very strict... people are really good, extrovert(ed?).. maybe you'll find them a bit loud..
the best of barranquilla is the carnival
regarding the vegetables... !? you just have to wash them really well, (just as you have to do it anywhere else!)

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roadrunner says on Jul 16, 2004, 08:48:

barranquilla Hi scr
Arrive in Barranquilla in 2 weeks. Have you any last minute advice for us - eg what to bring/not to bring etc
Also can you buy marmite?

roadrunner

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scr says on Jul 17, 2004, 01:34:

barranquilla I might as well tell you a little bit about the city.
It is a little hot and really humid, it is really safe, unless you go downtown where the wholesale markets are, just don't wear expensive jewerly (as bubba jones said)... in barranquilla there is no guerrilla, no kidnapping, nothing except common deliquency. roads to cartagena, santa marta are really safe. (you CAN'T come to barranquilla, and NOT visit cartagena or sta. marta, its a MUST!!)
the beach is like 15 min. from the city...

maybe you'll find expensive things like (good)clothing and shoes, but other than that everything is rather cheap (since our $peso is really devaluated).
schools such as bic, karl c. parrish; and the universidad del norte are located approx. 10 minutes away from the city, nevertheless it has great highways and it is, as i said before, really safe. (safe, safe, safe... ;) )

i'm sorry i have a really vague concept of what marmite is.. some sort of special food for children?... if i'm correct, then honestly i've never seen those around... but there are some shops which have all kinds of imported foods like "super-fresco" and "la fontana".
There are a lot of great super markets, and a brand new miami-style mall. You know, barranquilla is one of colombia's chief ports and industrial centers, and there is a great cultural exchage, people from all around the world live here. I'm pretty sure you will lack nothing (i'm not sure if that is correctly said)

be sure to bring a lot of energy, (and comfy shoes) for jan-feb which is carnival season.
i hope you have a nice trip, if you have any other questions, just ask!

the costeños rule!!!!.....

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