Lisa has left 18 comments

Lisa comments on Think Twice Before Enrolling in ISSLI school in Cartagena with Director Jesus Pico

This is SO TRUE!! Miguel,
This "institute" is actually so bad that several people feel this way. The 2 of us have posted to warn others so they do not get roped into the same situation we went through.
But no--he is not Lisa. I am and I agree 100% with what he said!

Lisa comments on Just wanted to say hello!

More on ISSLI Seeing as how I met Trevor only once, I am not sure how he can comment on the situation. I will just put it to you this way. I paid for 2 hours of class per day. He advertised that we would be divided into groups based on levels. We spent the entire first week altogether and it was a waste of everyone's time. When several people finally talked to him about this, we were divided up, but we did not receive the 2 hours of instructional time that we were paying for AND that was advertised on his website. He cancelled class one day for no reason. Another day he showed up over 45 minutes late. Several other days class started 20-25 min late, but it always ended on time.
Jesus appears to be very nice and caring, but he takes everything way too personally. He asks everyone to talk to him and tell him anything that is bothering them, but then he throws a fit when you do that.
As far as not understanding Colombia, again Trevor knows nothing about me. I LIVE in Bogota and am very happy here.
As far as complaining about the apartment, I only commented when he specifically asked. The apartment was 2 million pesos for the month, which is not bad, but the refrigerator was broken, the microwave didn't work, the air conditioner was broken, the knob on the shower kept falling off and the bathroom sink worked sporadically. You get the idea. I lived with it, and it wasn't that big of a deal, but part of the reason I chose to live in an apartment was to avoid having to eat out for every meal. Unfortunately, I had to do this and it did get very expensive.
In conclusion, I will say these things: of the 6 students that started together for the groups classes, THREE had dropped out by the end of the third week. I think that tells you something.
Perhaps he is better and more committed one on one. Trevor may have the right idea there!
Also, I am not concerned about getting my money back, but the class had several discussions with Jesus about things that were not going well, and he told us MANY times (to the entire class) that we could have our money back at any time. When I tried to speak to him about the issues I was having, he told me he would "write me a check right this minute" if I was not happy. The money does not matter, but if that was said it should be returned. I would have dropped the class regardless of a refund.
Please feel free to add more to this discussion if you have questions. I can give you names of other students who also had major issues with him and you can make your own judgement.
I would have loved to talk to you, but I am back in Bogota now. Not as nice of weather, but the city is great!!

Lisa comments on Just wanted to say hello!

HI! I am currently living in Bogota but I am in Cartagena for Spanish classes. What I want to say is DO NOT take any classes from Jesus Pico or anything called ISSLI from the Cartagena International School. I won't bore everyone with the details, but the man is a liar and has cheated me out of over $200. I am not the only person, either. Just wanted to warn you!
I have heard good things about Nueva Lengua. Just do an Internet search on that.
Good luck!
P.S. The girls here seem to love gringos. If you can't dance well, most of them will be happy to teach you. My guy friends have struck up conversations with girls on the beach and they have a whole harem of women who are teaching them salsa, merengue and vallenato. Good Luck!!

Lisa comments on Reliable shipping service?

I have had great success with people shipping me items from the States to Bogota. I have had people use Servientrega out of Miami. It is about $1.80 per pound plus some minute taxes. The person who takes care of the packages, Beatriz, is awesome.
Check the previous threads here for the information on exactly what to do. It has been explained very well. I followed the info and have had great luck with over 20 packages (all 10 pounds or so)

Lisa comments on Relocation to Bogota, Colegio Nueva Granada

CNG hires only accredited teachers. They do not need to make exceptions--there are a lot of people wanting to teach there.
This year the director was only looking for about 8 postions to fill in the entire school.
Sorry, being a native English speaker won't do it at this school!

Lisa comments on English spoken university in Medellin

You are thinking a bit far ahead to be pondering Universities. Did you mean schools for students between the ages of 5 and 18. If so, the Columbus School uses English for instruction.

Lisa comments on health concerns

It's a Pretty Modern City If you are only going to Bogota, nothing is really required. I made sure I was current on my Hepatitis and Tetanus, but nothing is really needed.
You will hear different things from different people about the water. I have been here 3 months and have never had any problems with the water, nor have I known anyone else that has had problems. Most people drink bottled water, but I use tap water for ice and have had plenty of tap water to drink with no problems.
Don't worry--while this is a city of contrasts and there is much poverty, you will find that it is quite wonderful!

Lisa comments on Stratas??? Can someone please explain...

Estrata 4, 5 and 6 I currently live in Bogota and am residing in an estrata 4, which I would consider very middle class for the United States. It is not overly fancy in my building, but my apartment is a decent size, and the building is very clean and well-maintained. The porteros are the best ever.
Basically 4 is pretty decent and 5 and 6 obviously get a lot nicer. I have fellow teacher friends that live in both and they can be QUITE nice. Of course, every time your estrata rises, so do your utilities.
That is about all I know at this point!

Lisa comments on Trip to Manizales

Altitude Problems Hi!
I went from the San Fancisco, CA area to Bogota about a month ago. I am now here in Bogota teaching and will be here for 2 years.
I experienced the same altitude difficulties here that I have experienced when I have gone to Denver, Colorado (5280 above sea level). For me, I was short of breath in activities that I could usually do very easily and I had a horrible headache for about 3 to 4 days.
I agree that it really depends on the individual. My problems stopped quite quickly, but some of the others that arrived at the same time as me are still experiencing difficulty.
Of course, Bogota does have much more pollution than I would figure Manizales does. One trip down Septima and any normal human being SHOULD be very sick :)

Lisa comments on Costs of Servientrega

Since it is Sunday I doubt they are open. I could call them, but I happen to be at work all day during the week and that makes things hard. I wanted a general idea of what I would need to pay and this gave me one. If the figures are not exact, so be it!

Lisa comments on Shipping with Servientrega

Maureen Yeah, that is exactly the idea I was getting, so that will help a lot.
If I ship something that actually is used in the original packaging (printer, for example) just to keep it protected, am I still okay to mark it at yard sale prices? I am thinking no one really cares just as long as they get their 28% of something! However, I don't want to mess something up and have my stuff disappear into oblivion somewhere.

Lisa comments on Shipping with Servientrega

Miguel Si, entiendo!
Muchas gracias!
The values just became very small!

Lisa comments on Shipping with Servientrega

Values on Goods Shipped This has all been really helpful and I think I am clear and ready to go except for one thing--when you state values for your goods do you just make them up based on what you think? Obviously things that are brand new are easy, but what about something like my printer that I have had for 8 months or all my clothes that I have worn many times. How do I "value" those? I would like to know so that I don't end up doing something wrong and paying major fees later!

Thanks!!

Lisa comments on Shipping with Servientrega

Also Curious... Are you fluent in Spanish?
Do they have a contact person that speaks English?
Also, what is their contact information?

Thanks in advance for the info!!

Lisa comments on Dealing with Col. consulates, specifically NYC and Chicago

It Isn't As Bad As It Seems I am also working on getting my work visa to teach in Bogota, but I am dealing with the San Francisco Consulate. I have had good luck with emailing them. In SF no appointment was required--I went to ask some questions and only had to wait about 10 min. That was only because I wanted the one person that spoke English.
The cost is $205.00.
Don't know about the rest of the info--sorry!
Good luck to you!

Lisa comments on Relocation to Bogota, Colegio Nueva Granada

Your teaching specialties are a bit limited, but you could still probably find something fairly easily. Would you be willing to teach English?
I got most of my information from a friend who had taught in an American school in Colombia. From her advice I went to tieonline.com and joyjobs.com. Both have lots of info for what to do and what not to do. I posted a resume on one and have been responding to job postings. On the other I had them create a website for me. From there I looked at all the schools in the countries I would potentially want to go to and I emailed them a letter and my website. I had several that were interested immediately. Some never respeonded, but if that happens, DON'T get discouraged.
Try those websites and see if they help!

Lisa comments on Teaching in Medellin (colombian born & hungering for 'home')

Teaching in Medellin Are you planning on teaching in an American school? If so, the TIE website is very useful (tieonline.com) and so is joyjobs.com. I have several Colombian schools that are interested in me based on the information I have put to use from those sites.
Next year I hope to be teaching at a school in Bogota. I have my final interview on January 8th!

Lisa comments on Life in Colombia

Colegio Nueva Granada Does anyone know anything about this school? Any information would be useful at this point!