www.costaricatesol.com - ITA Costa Rica
Posted 03/22/2016 in Alumni Q&A

Teaching Q&A with Mickey

Teaching Q&A with Mickey

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

What is your citizenship? I am an American Citizen.  

What city and state are you from? Raised in the south, I am from Atlanta, Georgia.  

How old are you?   I am currently 50 years old.

What is your education level and background?  I have a BA in Business Administration minor in Finance.

Have you traveled abroad in the past?  Yes, and I love experiencing new cultures and foods.

If you have traveled abroad in the past, where have you been? I have been to Europe, Ukraine, Central and South  America.

What sparked your interest in going to teach English abroad? Experience new cultures, see, live and try new  adventures abroad.

What were some of your concerns before teaching abroad?  Visa issues and living accommodations.

What did your friends and family think about you moving and  teaching abroad?  At first, very hesitant, but they realized it is a  once in a lifetime experience. 

TEFL CLASS INFORMATION

Which TEFL certification course did you take?  May 2014 in Barva-Heredia, Costa Rica

 

TEACHING ABROAD 

After taking the course in Costa Rica, you chose to teach  elsewhere.  Which city and country did  you decide to teach English in and why?    I chose to teach in Colombia, SA.   I was born here in Bogota Colombia, and so I  have family here.  With that said, I  realized that if I chose to come live and teach in Colombia, it would be  because I have a small support group here.   Also, I pursued and received my Colombian citizenship and thus I do not  have any visa issues here.

 

How long have you been in this country and how long do you plan  to stay?

Tell us about your English teaching job.   I came here on October 24, 2014 and I want to stay for one more year and  teach.    I work for Heart for  Change.  This group works in contract  with the Ministry of Education of Colombia.   We teach side by side with Colombian Teachers to enhance and improve the  quality of teaching here in Colombia to public High Schools.   IT IS A CO-TEACH program.

ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE TRAINEES COMING TO COSTA RICA

What advice would you give someone considering teaching abroad?   It’s a  blast.  Have your support group back at  home be encouraging.   Try to resolve  most of your issues back home before leaving.   Don’t bring your troubles with you.   

 

Would you recommend taking the course in Costa Rica before  teaching elsewhere?    Yes, I would.  The staff was very  straight up, up front with you, and they were helpful.  They challenged you to achieve your  best.  

 

What are the benefits?   Have a continued support group.  They continue to help me with issues or with  grammar questions or activities, as well as with recruitment notices.  They have been a good group since day  one.  

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