What is your citizenship? United States
What city and state are you from? Berkeley, CA
How old are you? 24
What is your education level and background? I have a bachelor’s in International Studies from Trinity University, San Antonio
Have you traveled abroad in the past? Yes, I had made various trips to Latin America and I studied abroad in Spain during college.
What sparked your interest in going to teach abroad? My experiences traveling and volunteering in various NGOs definitely inspired me to seek opportunities that would allow me to live and work abroad.
What were some of your concerns before teaching abroad? Being able to find something that would pay enough, getting a visa, and finding a job in a city that I liked were my main concerns.
What did your friends and family think before moving abroad? Since I started traveling alone right after high school, my friends and family were not at all surprised that I decided to seek employment abroad.
Why did you choose ITA in Costa Rica? Getting a certification that would allow me to teach anywhere in the world appealed greatly to me, along with receiving training that would help me grow as a teacher. I chose to take the course in Costa Rica because I wanted to be in a safe country in which I could take nice weekend trips.
How did you like the course? I liked the course a lot. It was well organized and well-balanced in terms of teaching philosophy, techniques, and real practice.
How has TEFL training helped you in your current position? It’s helped me a lot as far as how I manage a classroom, organize a lesson, and engage my students. I definitely have a deeper understanding of how students learn a new language and ways to implement learning strategies in my classroom.
Which city and country did you decide to teach English in and why? I decided to look for a job in Cali, Colombia, because I had been curious about the country for a long time and had heard many interesting things about Cali.
How long have you been in this country and how long do you plan to stay? I’ve been in Cali for about six months, and I’m hoping to stay for another year or two.
Tell us about your English teaching job. I’m currently working at a private bilingual school in Cali, where I teach English speaking skills in middle school and Theater in high school.
What advice would you give someone considering teaching abroad? Thoroughly research your country of preference beforehand. Know what the visa/immigration process is like and what kind of jobs are available in that given country. As far as ESL goes, not all countries are created equal, but there are options everywhere if you do the research.
Would you recommend the course in Costa Rica before going elsewhere? What are the benefits? I definitely would recommend it. Costa Rica is a beautiful, friendly country and a good place to start for those looking for a Latin American adventure. Flights to Costa Rica tend to be cheaper for those coming from North America, and San Jose is a safe and comfortable place with gorgeous weather. Also, since Costa Rica is pretty advanced in terms of ESL, you will be able to teach and gain experience with learners of all levels – beginner to very advanced.
