[Bad Hussar]

Congrats on graduating. After your mini-vacation and maybe some certifications I'd try to get a gig in Fort Mac on a 3 week on, 3 week off rotation. If you're making good money and live in a camp you'd have the time and cash to fly off to pretty much anywhere in the world for a new 3 week vacation every 6 weeks. Combines 1 & 2 on your list.

PS: I don't know what the likelihood of getting a 3 week on 3 week off rotation is. Scotian may be able to inform. 1 week on 1 week off would suck. You can't do much in one week.

[bacon]

[lavidaloca]

Degrees are much cheaper in Canada. Undergrad tuition is usually between 2.5 and 10k per year in my experience. My undergrad was around 6k tuition per year for a HBBA degree. It only gets pricey once you go for a professional graduate degree. (law, medicine, dentistry, etc.)

Because of the lower costs its not uncommon for parents to have save and pay for their children's education here.

[aphelion]

Nice work to graduate with a bachelors and no student debt.

I'd side with Roosh. I'd love to hit Poland for a month or two but I can't really take the time off of work. You have a bit of spare cash and can probably minimize your expenses to a degree.

[WesternCancer]

Can you english teachers drop some data? How does it all work?

[presidentcarter]

(03-21-2013 07:11 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  

Can you english teachers drop some data? How does it all work?

I haven't done it but I've been researching it a lot.

What do you want to know? Everything varies widely by country.

[WesternCancer]

The only thing I know is that you teach english to people who don't speak english.

I want to know:
- do you need to know their language
- pay/how do you get guaranteed a job
- how long do they last for
- what do you do in the job/whats the work like
etc.

[presidentcarter]

(03-21-2013 07:29 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  

The only thing I know is that you teach english to people who don't speak english.

I want to know:
- do you need to know their language
- pay/how do you get guaranteed a job
- how long do they last for
- what do you do in the job/whats the work like
etc.

- No. They want "total immersion" in the classroom so it's not a huge deal if you don't speak their language. All interaction will be in English.

- Pay varies from <$1000/month (SA, SEA) to potential for $5-6k/month (ME, Korea). Tax free numbers and VERY subjective. For example, in Russia the starting pay for a "McSchool" (larger network school that will usually set you up with free housing, albeit probably shitty, and VISA support) is around $1300. However, I have spoken with several expats that have been teaching in Russia for years and say private schools/freelance can easily yield $4k+/month. Again, everything is mostly quoted in tax free terms.

- Guaranteed job? Contracts can range from 6-12 months or you can be on your own and doing freelance either picking up as-needed work in a private school or servicing private clients.

- Certifications: Basic live/online TEFL (<$1000) is the lowest qualifications. CELTA (live is one month of pretty intensive training on creating lesson plans, live teaching evaluations, English itself, etc. It's possible to do CELTA online, but the online courses carry little merit in many competitive markets and if you're going do online you might as well just do the minimum TEFL cert.) Above CELTA and you're looking a Masters in Teaching English or something along those lines. CELTA is considering the worldwide standard. In many countries it's rather moot (SA) because the schools cannot really afford to pay you a premium for your higher-level cert. Other markets (Korea, Japan, ME) it's becoming more and more the norm to have CELTA requirements.

- What do you actually do? This is where I know the least but I'd assume you are responsible for lesson planning (they will give you a book/guidelines) and execution in the classroom. You'll be expected to utilize your native speaker status to reinforce the lessons via real-life examples of your own, clips from English movies/music, whatever. Students can usually be across the spectrum from YL & VYL (young learners, very young learners) to teenage to adults or even Business English at companies. You could be teaching little six year old Igor in the morning and a room full of accountants in the afternoon or you could be teaching teenagers the entire year, just depends. Generally, your students will know conversational english to begin with and you'll be expanding on that, teaching grammar, pronunciation, etc etc. That's why they want natives only for the most part...these people can speak broken english and they are hiring you to help them smooth things out and fully understand it.

In regard to Russia, I've heard everything from "yes be sure to work legally under a work visa, start at a McSchool and gain experience while having stability while you're adjusting" to "no one works legally, everyone has tourist visas, don't bother with large contract schools and just work freelance/private school" so obviously it's up to you how you want to structure the venture.

This is what I've turned up researching online and speaking with some guys with experience in Russia. I'm sure there are some members here that have taught and could probably provide more info.

[Chilled]

I've been in Korea now for a while, so most of my knowledge is specifically about here.

If you're looking into coming to Asia, there are a ton of choices in terms of countries. Korea has the highest starting salary these days, and also provides housing. (Though usually small) Japan may pay more, but housing typically isn't included. China, Thailand, and Taiwan are all other options.

Different countries have different requirements if you want to work there. Korea requires a 4 year uni degree, and if you want to work public school you also need some kind of tefl certification. (Public schools are the way to go in my opinion) Japan is a pipe dream for a guy with no experience or who doesn't have a degree in tesol specifically. The competition for jobs there is too fierce, and the supply of jobs isn't as high as it was before. I'm not sure what Taiwan requires to get work, but I've heard good things about living there. Work in China and Thailand can be found with nothing but a cheap, easy tefl cert. (Though the money in Thailand isn't great, and China is hit or miss cash wise)

In terms of language requirements, no country requires facility with their language. There just wouldn't be enough people who have the language ability and also want to work in esl. That said, it's easier to live in some countries than others without language knowledge. Korea, where I'm at, is probably one of the easiest. China can be tougher I've heard. Everywhere else falls somewhere in the middle.

In terms of pay, presidentcarter was quoting the very high end of the spectrum. Here in Korea, you can expect to make about 2k per month, and your rent is included in the package. If you're willing to do private lessons though, (illegally) you can make a lot more. Going rate for private lessons is about 35-45 dollars per hour after the currency conversion. This figure is deceiving though, since if you want to keep students for more than a couple lessons you'll need to spend time getting ready. (Think one hour prep for a one hour lesson) Thus, you're more likely to clock in at somewhere around 17-27 dollars per hour that you actually work.

Taxes in most of these countries is low or non-existent. (I pay about 3% here in Korea) Cost of living tends to be lower than what I'm used to, but I'm from Canada, so I'm used to paying a lot for stuff.

Sorry this response was kind of scattershot. If you have any other questions, hit me up. I've been in Korea for almost 4 years, so I've got the lay of the land so to speak.

[Vacancier Permanent]

WC,
Double congrats for graduating and for being debt free! That's quite some achievement! You've resisted all those years the irresistible sirens of the banks handing out credit cards like candies in the university campus. That in itself is quite an achievement! Well done man!

As to what move to make now, as others have mentioned, you have several options. Teaching english overseas would be an awesome experience to travel, see the world, make money and have some good fun with the fine feminine and sweet girls in Asia. You could also spend a couple of months traveling in Asia say in Thailand and around and have a blast. Can do it on 2k/month if you're careful. You could even drop by China and meet some cool guys doing some awesome stuff there, specially in Guangzhou and Shenzen. Who knows you might get an inspiration there and not want to come back to Canada and stay there to make a move there, who knows?

If you do want to go to Alberta, that would be a wise move money wise. However, I'd advise you to go now, work till the fall, make as much $ as possible and in that 6 months, you could have a nice cushion of a good 30-60k depending on what you end up doing and also not blowing it off on your time off. Then, when the cold starts showing it's ugly head around October, that's the time to bail to Asia or South America and live it up on a warm beach surrounded by sweet feminine pussy. Those few months there, you would also want to figure out how to build an online biz or a biz taking advantage of the local opportunities you can spot wherever you may be at the time. If need be, you could come back to AB in the spring and repeat the process of working till the fall, banking another cool 40-60k in those 6 months and then taking off again in the fall to another location and explore other opportunities there. With time and capital, and the right circle to plug yourself into, you have the 3 crucial ingredients to get inspired to make some serious moves in the developing countries, which ironically, represent the most opportunities.

All in all, exciting times are ahead of you. Make the decision that feels right to you and your future goals.

All the best brother!

[Screwston]

Chilled - Do you mean you can teach in China and Thailand without a 4 year degree and only the Tefl certificate?

[WesternCancer]

Ive been thinking about all the time I've spent at home on weekends throughout university/some of the summers.

I didn't get shit done. Theres really no point to be here as opposed to somewhere else.

Living alone I get more done, but school/studying would hurt my progress in what I'd want to do.

What I want to do is (provided I'm unable to get a job/housing within the next 3 weeks) move home (max 2 months) until I can move somewhere else, get a job and start building a lifestyle. Social circle, 'locking down' places, joining clubs etc. I think the reason why I never did that during school was that it was so transient. Sept-april you make a few new friends get new roommates, new classmates. The places you go usually have new staff but you don't go often enough to get to know anyone. Come the end of april everyone moves away and you have to move somewhere else for 4 months. Some people don't come back or they change/you lose touch over the summer and you start all over the next year.

I read scotians datasheet on halifax and it sounds like a really fun place, so does Montreal.

In a city my preferences would be:
- relatively cheap (anything is cheap compared to Vancouver ha)
- close to water
- thin/feminine women
- good transit/no need for a car (everything is close together)
- good food

[TheCaptainPower]

Vacation? College was the vacation... Start saving $$ like a drug lord. TRUST ME, when you get older you will see a big difference between the people who saved money, and your friends who bummed around.

That fact that you are writing on this forum puts you light years ahead of me at 21/22. Live with your parents and plan a crap load of side trips. Once you get a nice 10-20k cash cushion you can really start figuring out what you want to do without worrying about your next meal.

I worked for 4 years, then started masters at age 25. Moved out at 26.

[Jaylow]

(03-30-2013 05:15 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  

In a city my preferences would be:
- relatively cheap (anything is cheap compared to Vancouver ha)
- close to water
- thin/feminine women
- good transit/no need for a car (everything is close together)
- good food

Can get a 1 bedroom 10 min walking distance to downtown Montreal with a balcony that comes furnished for 550-600 a month. Montreal is surrounded by water and from what I hear the public transportation is amazing. The girls and food are world class.

[thegmanifesto]

(03-30-2013 05:40 PM)Jaylow Wrote:  

(03-30-2013 05:15 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  

In a city my preferences would be:
- relatively cheap (anything is cheap compared to Vancouver ha)
- close to water
- thin/feminine women
- good transit/no need for a car (everything is close together)
- good food

Can get a 1 bedroom 10 min walking distance to downtown Montreal with a balcony that comes furnished for 550-600 a month. Montreal is surrounded by water and from what I hear the public transportation is amazing. The girls and food are world class.

Can you post some links?

That sounds really low.

[Vacancier Permanent]

G,
Yeah Rent/real estate prices in Montreal are obscenely cheap for a major North American city. If you sign a 1 year contract, can even have a good pad for 4-500 and 200k gets you a posh condo that cost 10 times more in say Toronto or NYC.

(03-30-2013 05:43 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(03-30-2013 05:40 PM)Jaylow Wrote:  

(03-30-2013 05:15 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  

In a city my preferences would be:
- relatively cheap (anything is cheap compared to Vancouver ha)
- close to water
- thin/feminine women
- good transit/no need for a car (everything is close together)
- good food

Can get a 1 bedroom 10 min walking distance to downtown Montreal with a balcony that comes furnished for 550-600 a month. Montreal is surrounded by water and from what I hear the public transportation is amazing. The girls and food are world class.

Can you post some links?

That sounds really low.

[Jaylow]

Quote:

Can you post some links?

That sounds really low.

I am moving to Montreal at the end of the month G. I have been checking kijiji daily. Plateau area.

[thegmanifesto]

(03-30-2013 05:49 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

G,
Yeah Rent/real estate prices in Montreal are obscenely cheap for a major North American city. If you sign a 1 year contract, can even have a good pad for 4-500 and 200k gets you a posh condo that cost 10 times more in say Toronto or NYC.

I have done a lot of research on it, and "have a good pad for 4-500" doesn't seem accurate at all to me. Especially with a balcony.

You are talking $400-500 per month rent, right? I haven't seen that at all.

Or 400-500k to buy? (which I have seen).

Maybe I am wrong and I haven't found these magical places.

I would like to see some links of "a 1 bedroom 10 min walking distance to downtown Montreal with a balcony that comes furnished for 550-600 a month."

I would love to be proven wrong.

Quote:

200k gets you a posh condo that cost 10 times more in say Toronto or NYC.

Sounds like a pretty big exaggeration. I haven't seen that at all.

Again, I would love to be proven wrong where a 200k condo in Montreal is the same as a $2 million dollar condo in NYC or Toronto.

(03-30-2013 05:53 PM)Jaylow Wrote:  

Quote:

Can you post some links?

That sounds really low.

I am moving to Montreal at the end of the month G. I have been checking kijiji daily. Plateau area.

Again.

Post some links.

[TheCaptainPower]

Sounds like it would be outside the city, I was looking for places in Montreal a while back also...

[Thehustler]

(03-20-2013 03:56 PM)mistermister Wrote:  

go to fort mac. go get that gwap. travel to a poosy paradise on vacation every now and then bang to your hearts content.

the ridiculously high wages in fort mac might not be there forever. this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. i'm from western canada. it's boom/bust out here. now's the time to get it while the gettings good.

go get that money. it will take you 15yrs to make 100K/annually in montreal in most fields. you can do that right away in fort mac.

poosy will always be there.... the opportunity to make serious dough when you're young. not so much.

go to fort mac. save your money. invest. rinse and repeat.

listen to this man!

Although 15 yrs is exaggeration but even with a solid major eng/acct/fin you'd be looking at at least 5 yrs to not be an office bitch (who gets paid peanuts) anymore.

So the real question is are you willing to wait and sacrifice your youth to be an office drone? or you can hit up Western Canada and start creating a new life for yourself. You can work for a few months and take off to wherever.

There're plenty of opportunities here and with your educational background and knowledge you can make bank.

[Jaylow]

edit: The links dont save my search filters.

[thegmanifesto]

(03-30-2013 06:38 PM)Jaylow Wrote:  

edit: The links dont save my search filters.

What does that mean?

Can you posts some links for "a 1 bedroom 10 min walking distance to downtown Montreal with a balcony that comes furnished for 550-600 a month." or not?

[Jaylow]

If you are doubting what I say then do the work yourself and call me out on it. I am not wasting my time proving myself to you, I already spent many hours the past 2 weeks sifting through online postings.

[lavidaloca]

what?

[thegmanifesto]

delete