glacierdaz has left 14 comments

glacierdaz comments on My work visa

Agreed Yah I have run into the same red tape. After thinking it would be easy to get a job with a degree and TESL certificate, the DAS told me otherwise. I ahve really enjoyed my time here in Bogota and was eager to teach english, however the new Colombian law has left me headed back to the ice and snow of Canada. Yikes ! I will look for another country to teach english perhaps in Asia where the money is much better. Nevertheless, I will return here to enjoy the culture, the people, the food and the reasonable prices.

D

glacierdaz comments on The Good the bad and the ugly

Not a bad thought I will do the responsible thing and return to North America. I will try to teach in Asia as the dinero is much much better. I certainly will return to Colombia in the future. It is a great place !

Daz

glacierdaz comments on Clothing Shopping in Bogotá

Costly Clothes Are you kidding??? Clothes here in Colombia are of very good quality and are really inexpensive compared to North America. Sure Unicentro is trendy, but it is still cheap compared to the USA or Canada. Try the BIMA factory outlet on Autopista Norte for some good deals.

see ya

D

glacierdaz comments on The Good the bad and the ugly

Work Permit Emily

From what I understood from the DAS in Bogota you need a teaching certification with specialization in Languages. I have been dealing with their offices in Bogota. Word on the street is that offices in different parts of the country may be able to bend the rules a bit, but that is just a rumor. When doing your Police Report make sure you get fingerprints from your home country...they will not accept anything else. Also be sure to get all your papers certified and authenticated before leaving your home country. I have all my papers here however they were not certified before leaving Canada, so i am pretty much stuck. I may try to teach in Asia for awhile for some experience and money and then return here later.

glacierdaz comments on maybe moving to Medellin or Bogota

You are in for a rough ride Apparently the DAS will only consider qualified teachers. A Celta or TESL will not do the trick anymore. Apparently, the IRA members who collaberated with the FARC entered the country posing as TESL teachers. Since that incident, the government has tightened the restrictions. If you are considering getting a work permit for here, make damn sure you get all the paperwork authenticated and legalized before flying here. Without this, you can almost forget it. I am a Canadian visiting here and very eager to teach, however the red tape is ridiculous. I will have to return home and consider Plan B. Thats my 2 cents worth. Have a good holiday !

glacierdaz comments on Teaching - studying in Cali

Legalization of documents Make damn sure you legalize all your paperwork before leaving your home country. I am in Bogota with all my necessary papers, but they had not been legalized in Canada. I may have to go to plan B and leave here.

glacierdaz comments on Looking for an affordable Apartment/Room

Hi Chris Chris

I am in the same boat. My flight from Canada is in early November and I don't have naything lined up. Looking for a roommate?? Let me know. My e mail is dnits123 at telus.net.

glacierdaz comments on Studying Spanish

Bogota or Cartagena I really liked the Universidad de la Sabana. It is one of the nicest Universities I had ever been to (including here in Canada). It is quite a ways north of the city, but the commute is always an adventure ( in a good way). I found it a little bit easier to study because you were not battling the heat of Cartagena. I would say the campus population would be 5000 - 8000 students. Instructors were great. Lunch at the campus would set you back about 5000 Pesos
(about 2.50 Canadian Dollars) - so cheap !!! I only spent a few days studying in Cartagena....the campus was nice as well. The handouts and curriculum varied a bit from place to place as well. Hope that helps.

glacierdaz comments on Studying Spanish

Nueva lengua I had studied both in Cartagena and Bogota this past May. Instructors were first rate. You will learn alot. If you have any questions e mail me at dnits123 at telus.net.

glacierdaz comments on Warning! For everyone in Cali

Places to rent in North Bogota Hello all

I plan on returning to Bogota in early November 2004. I am looking for a place in North Bogota (rental appartment, shared accommodation). The plan is to pursue teaching english in the city.
Any help appreciated. My e mail is dnits123 at telus.net.

glacierdaz comments on An Australian Girl in Cartagena

Nueva Lengua I had the opportunity to study spanish with Nueva Lengua in both Bogota and Cartagena. The Instructors were friendly and knew what they were doing. Pedro was really good at listening to your concerns and providing a quality experience. They did seem expensive, but you always get what you pay for. If you have any questions please send me an e mail dnits123 at telus.net. I have also created a website about my experiences in Colombia. You can have a look at www.truecolombia.com.

Have fun

Darrel from Canada

glacierdaz comments on Withdraw cash with a Canadian Debit Card ?

No problem Yup it works fine most of the time. I had afew times in Cartagena where it did not work however. Bank machine fine..debit at a store, dont count on it. Hope that helps.

Glacierdaz

glacierdaz comments on CALI/BOGOTA SCHOOLS THAT TEACH SPANISH; PLEASE HELP.

schools that teach spanish try www.nuevalengua.com in Bogota. They are at the Universidad de la Sabana. It is the most beautiful campus I have ever been to. I took courses there for a week. The professors were very accommodating and professional. As there were no other students at my level, I ended up having private lessons the whole time. The cultural activities component of the program did need a little fine tuning. If you have any questions e mail me at dnits123 at telus.net.

glacierdaz comments on Manizales and Bogota

Escuela Nueva lengua Hello all,

Well I am taking the plunge.
I have never been to South America before....
I fly to Bogota next week to meet up with a very beautiful Colombian girl who was travelling in Canada.
I have signed up for a week of spanish at Escuela Nueva lengua at the Universidad de la Sabana. Has anybody taken courses there???What was it like? In early June I will also spend a week in Cartagena.
After reading the security posts...I feel I should be ok. Any advice??? I am sure the trip will be adventurous and memorable.