Where should I start off my travel lifestyle? Truth is I can’t afford to start off on my RTW trip bouncing from one place to the next on a monthly or weekly basis. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean my furry little butt needs to be stuck in the Midwest. The way I have things planned out is that I start my Masters in Education earning my Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) degree this August and finish up by 2012. Yup that’s the goal, 2012 is when I break free of the mild mild Midwest; you won’t be hearing Will Smith boogying to a track about this part of the country. Many of you are thinking why wait? Travel now, you don’t need the TESOL. These are all true but there are a few other factors that I need to take under consideration.
My TESOL degree is free, that’s right like no dinero, not a penny, zip-zero free; which is good because I don’t have any pockets-or wear pants…
I owe a lot on my college loans which you are thinking yeah so does everyone else, but I’m trying to knock that down a wee bit before I take off. Two years is plenty of time to hopefully pay off at least one of my loans. Plus while I’m back to school I can stop interest from accumulating on my loans; which is friggin awesome!
These are the why, which is less exciting than the where. So where should I go? Well I’ve got a few ideas planned out but nothing is set in stone and I’m curious to see what you, my lovely human readers, think. Plus, to be honest my mission is to figure out what makes you tick and tock and whatever it is that you humans do so I should probably take your opinion into consideration. I’ll fling you my opinion and you can fling some back at me.
- Lima, Peru – I have the possibility of a home to live in (rent free) and connections with various job opportunities, which is good because I will still be paying off my debt…although from a sunnier location. Plus I’ve habloed espanol once or twice so I can get by with the basics.
- Japan – My TESOL degree could help me land a job teaching English, while I’ve been strung along only to be let down before with two other programs -this time I have a plan. Since I will have more credentials, more planning time and a little more know how I will try to work for a more respectable company like JET which is less likely to promise me a job then not answer my calls when I’m asking about when to purchase a ticket until 3 months later. (if only I could fling poo that far – but back on topic) Plus, nihongo wa wakarimasu, ok not really but I’m working on taking classes and will continue to work on it, better than nothing right?
- Brazil – I have been contacting my old job where I was a student teacher in Rio de Janeiro, and my friends in Lima recently came from Sao Paulo where they have an English language school/program. Now it’s an assumption that Rio would want me back or Sao Paulo would be willing to give me an opportunity but if I use my sad puppy eyes (monkeys can do that look too), and show them cute and cuddly there is a good chance that I can convince them of anything. I also falo Portuguese, well sort of, about the extent of my Spanish but that is but enough to get me by like I would in Peru.
What do you think? Are these good or bad ideas? Am I missing something here? I also continually get information about teaching jobs in Korea but to be honest I’m no pro on anything Korean, yet Nomadic Matt seemed to speak well of it . My biggest factor will be the job aspect of each location, because without that then I will default on my loan which is one thing I don’t want to worry about – unless someone wants to help a monkey @(^_^)@
Gracias, Obrigado, and Arigato Gozaimasu
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Don’t forget to fling this post at others if you like what you see!
March 11th, 2010 at 12:57 am
Seems to me like Peru is a great option to start by exploring more of South America when you're not working. Free living space while you travel/pay loans is very cool.
Japan could be good, but no sure thing and it can be expensive to live there for long so paying off loans may be a challenge.
Brazil – I'd love the opportunity, but it seems like you've been there, done that so unless you're eager to get back for something, the other two seem like better options.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:04 am
I agree with you but since Lima is more of a sure thing I want to explore all other options and not just settle for Lima – if you could call that settling. Plus I figured after a year of exploring I could head to Lima and then get back on track with everything. I've always wanted to go to Japan and would love to revisit Brazil but like you said I've been there, done that.
March 11th, 2010 at 3:26 am
Yeah, I'm pretty sure monkeys belong in South America. The cheaper, the better, right?
March 11th, 2010 at 5:47 am
yep that is what sunshine signifies to me…
March 11th, 2010 at 5:48 am
I was at first going to say Hong Kong for a good start in Asia, but maybe not as many TEFL jobs. What about Laos or Cambodia? Wonderful people and great countries to explore.
Peru is a brilliant suggestion for South America. Gorgeous part of the world.
Have you also thought about eastern Russia, like the former Soviet Union countries? Maybe places like Georgia or Tallinn? I have no idea on costs of living or TESL jobs, but always nice to dream. Plus if you're there you have easy access to explore more of Europe, never a bad place for a monkey.
March 11th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Personally, I recommend teaching in China. The standard of living there is much cheaper than the States and there are plenty of opportunities for you to teach English there. When I was studying abroad in Shanghai, I taught at a migrant school and it was one of the greatest experiences there. China is a place you haven’t been to before, right? So why not? Plus, train travel there is super efficient and easily accessible. I like the overnight trains because I love waking up in a new place. It’s like my dreams manifest into real life! Haha!
March 11th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
I can't speak from experience but if it's money you need the most, South Korea is your best bet. Look into the city of Busan, it's a great place (from what I hear).
March 12th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
True, we are happy there but we monkeys are everywhere. We may look different but we are all poo flingers at heart.
March 12th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I haven't really thought about eastern Russia. I feel like wherever I move it will open up access to that continent. Lima/Brazil gives me South America, Japan/Korea gives me access to Asia. So much desired traveling might actually prevent me from using this as a saving point so I can travel – and just hop right into traveling.
March 12th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
South Korea eh? I'll have to really check that out. I know there are lots of opportunities because I often get emails offering me jobs, didn't realize it offered such great financial opportunities.
March 12th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
I would love to visit China, although I have a fighting chance with my Japanese not at all with Chinese lol. Especially since each providence is so different in their dialect. Thanks for the tip though, I may have to check out some opportunities.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I've heard Korea is a pretty good place to teach English. While I haven't done much research myself, I'm working with a couple at the moment who spent three years off and on teaching in South Korea.
You don't need a certification, only a degree – which is nice. Also, you can make approximately four grand a month, and live on far, far, less. Also nice!
I'm in New Zealand at the moment, but I'm beginning to think Korea is next. It would be a great place to be based and do some travelling around Asia. Plus, it's an excellent opportunity to pay off loans and the like.
March 14th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Interesting! make sure to let me know what your thoughts of Korea are if you make it out that way.
March 15th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Hey there, If you do consider South Korea, connect with Eric Bynum on FB, he is living there now and teaching English. You can ask him more about what to expect and maybe even get you into the network early. When I find Eric's twitter Id I will let you know.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/esb…
You are planning early so I'm confident that you will figure this out by 2010.
Best!!
March 16th, 2010 at 12:27 am
Thanks, I'm really excited. I'm unsure which direction I will take by then but I figured the best place to get some quality input is from fellow travelers. I'm excited about possible future explorations, I even met up with someone who might become my Japanese tutor, yay! Thanks for the tip on connecting with Eric, I'll have to send something his way.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:48 am
My advice is to open up to the great unknown and let the Universe shower you with abundance. the thing is that if you focus on scarcity that's what you will get. Stop thinking about what you don't have, what you owe, will it pay…..
Look at all the amazing things the world has to offer and you will start to receive big time. You could develop an internet business and have everything paid off before you go. Focus on that and on travelling to experience.
Don't plan your travels too far ahead. You need to travel around for a little while before you find what suits you. Be flexible.
Having said all that, I would look at Bangkok. It's fun, cheap, lively and close to some amazing places.
Have you looked at tropicalmba.com?
April 14th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Wow! thanks for the info and tips. I will be sure to check out the site. I love the idea of a location independent business where I can make all the money I need while traveling I just have to figure out what I'm good at that is a marketable business and start rolling with it. Other than that I don't think I can help the planning aspect, it keeps me dreaming and it keeps changing. However, I'm a over plan then go with the flow kind of monkey so I don't have to stick with any one plan.
October 17th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
I just got back from teaching for a year in South Korea and can highly recommend it. I was in Seoul teaching for a middle school. I went over with students loans and got the chance to knock a huge portion out of them from the excellent pay I was receiving.
Depending on which route you take (I went public school) you can make a great living with what they pay you. The people are so warm, the environment is beautiful and the food is delicious.
Highly, Highly recommend looking into this route.
Oh, I also forgot to mention this: alcohol is dirt cheap and flows like water over there. I do assume you like the occasional drink, right?
November 1st, 2011 at 9:12 pm
I’ve heard a lot of good things about teaching in Korea and the pay while you are there, but this glorious cherry on top about the alcohol…me thinks I have a game plan.