TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
What is your citizenship? Colombian and American
What city and state are you from? Medellin, Colombia
How old are you? 24
What is your education level and background? Bachelor in Business Administration.
Have you traveled abroad in the past? yes
If you have traveled abroad in the past, where have you been? Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Guatemala
If you have studied abroad in the past, where did you study? In Argentina
What sparked your interest in going to teach English abroad? The opportunity to travel while I work
What were some of your concerns before teaching abroad? Choosing the right place, so many choices.
What did your friends and family think about you moving and teaching abroad? They were all very jealous
TEFL CLASS INFORMATION
Why did you decide to get TEFL certified and choose International TEFL Academy? I did some research and found out I had to do this and thought the ITA was a pretty good organization to do it with.
Which TEFL certification course did you take? I took the Costa Rica course
How did you like the course? It was fantastic, absolutely amazing.
How has your TEFL training helped you in your current teaching position? I would not have been able to survive without it.
TEACHING ABROAD IN COSTA RICA
Which city did you decide to teach English in and why? In Jaco, Costa Rica because I wanted to stay in Costa Rica and live near the beach.
How long have you been in this country and how long do you plan to stay? I have been here for 5 months and I plan to stay 4 more months.
What school, company, or program are you working for? I'm working for Five Monkeys Language School.
Do you have a work visa? If not, please elaborate on working without a work visa. I don't have one; you don't really need one in Costa Rica.
Tell us why you like your English teaching job. When I teach I feel like I am really “living the moment.”
How did you find somewhere to live and what is it like? Do you have roommates? I have my own very little place and it's wonderful.
COSTA RICA
Please explain the cultural aspects, public transportation, nightlife, social activities, food, expat community, dating scene, and travel opportunities in your country: The people are very nice, public transportation is very good, the nightlife is just ok, there aren't that many social activities, food is great but not cheap, expat community is huge, dating scene is ok even though there are very many hookers around town, and the travel opportunities in Costa Rica are great because it is a small country with dozens of wonderful places to see.
What are your monthly expenses? About $700
How would you describe your standard of living? I would say average
In your opinion, how much does someone need to earn in order to live comfortably? About $800 per month.
ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS IN COSTA RICA
What advice would you give someone planning or considering teaching abroad? Would you recommend teaching in your country? I would totally recommend teaching in Costa Rica. And the best advice I can give anyone interested in teaching abroad is not just to get TEFL certified, but to do it with Costa Rica TESOL. They have the most amazing teachers and are located in a really nice town near San Jose. I am sure there is no place to get certified!
