Tips for first time Traveler to Bogota

Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 13, 2007, 05:44:

Goye says on Jul 16, 2007, 19:48:

Hey, JChrisusa:

I'm a systems engineer and let me tell you: Spanish is a must in normal life. But, despite of that, you can do pretty much well if you are an IT expert.

the thing is: you have to "Know a guy that knows a guy", i you know what I mean ...

Once you get hooked to the appropriate channels, you might find yourself humming and whistling ...

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ecco says on Jul 17, 2007, 09:44:

Hi JChrisusa-
I can't comment about Colombia specifically, but I can tell from my experience something. I got a job in a Spanish speaking country in my field of work when my Spanish still wasn't that good, speaking wise anyway. I could write a lot better though so my CV which I applied with painted a slightly misleading picture- but more than that was my work which interested them. It also is a technical/ (and can also be artistic) field which is computer related- but not IT. I also have a degree, thought not in this area.

I was also interesting to them as being a native English speaker I could help them at times with translation and online help as all the manuals for the programmes we use are only in English, which might be the case for your field too. The company was (and is) still very small so that might make a difference.

Anyway, I guess my point is, I think one can get a job in their field of work if they're experienced/ promising and all that which you are- and in a foreign country when you don't speak as well as you think you should be able to. Hope this gives you some kind of motivation/hope/...! :)

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orestesdd says on Jul 17, 2007, 14:46:

Ecco

I am a computer programmer and I build intranet applications in Java. I do speak, wirte, and read both languages, Spanish and English, fluently though my Spanish is much better since it is my mother's tongue or first languge. I've lived in the US for 27 years, but I was planning to see if there is any IT work in Bogota. I'd like to retire there, but I will still need to work to pay the bills. I'd love to know more about any opportunities in this field in Bogata. I have a BA in Math from the US; thus, I guess I could even teach Math to high school student if need to be.l Any more comments on this subject will be appreciated. I will be visiting Colombia in August for the first time, and I would love to look around for tourist reason and to see if there is time to talk to anyone about these kind of jobs. Thanks.

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ecco says on Jul 17, 2007, 15:13:

orestesdd,
All I can suggest which I'm going to do myself, is research and contact companies there before you go. I will be writing a letter to a couple of companies in a different city that do what I do (only city as far I know that have such companies that interest me), saying I will be there in XXX around the dates of XXX, and if they're interested in meeting me, please do not hesitate to get in contact... etc etc. I'm not aiming or hoping to get a job there exactly as I've never even been there and might not like it, and also as I have a job here where I live already- but just out of interest to see if I get a response. And I may end up loving it there and want to stay -who knows.

Sorry I don't know anything about your field in any country let alone one which I've never been to yet. Hope you find something of interest though. Don't forget to keep an eye on classifieds pages or however you call them. They often have some jobs advertised there that are relevant to you. eg:

http://www.mundoanuncio.com/zona/colombia_12.html
I think there are more but I can't remember them. www.quehubo.com may have job ads- not sure.


Also JCrhisusa,
the living with Colombian people is a good idea in my opinion. I'm not sure of your age but being with people of a similar age is good. I did a course in Spain when I was learning the language and stayed in the flat of a local guy, who spoke little English. A couple of people were in families and they mentioned the kids of the family were always trying to speak to them in English as well.

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ecco says on Jul 17, 2007, 15:18:

sorry- I meant to say they *may* have some jobs advertised there that are relevant to you (as I've never looked for your type of job) I have a few times seen ones which relate to what I do which is quite specific.

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orestesdd says on Aug 9, 2007, 08:15:

I am traveling to Colombia very soon, and I hope to speak with some people about the type of job I do. This will be my first trip to Colombia, and I will stay in Bogota only. Thanks "ecco" for all your good advice.

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