« Workplace Issues - Can A Student Be Your Friend? | Main | Workplace Issues - Are You Struggling With This, Too? »
March 29, 2005
Living On A Budget - Accomodations
Dear Readers,
Quick! What’s the number one reason that most ESL teachers decide to go to another country to teach? If you think that it’s to experience another culture and see the world, you’re right! But many teachers find that, because of the low salaries offered in many countries, they can’t travel as much as they had hoped to.
Living on a budget can be a challenge for many teachers, but with some planning and savvy, it is possible to find a good balance. The biggest expense in anyone’s budget is living accommodations. Today, I'll offer two tips to help you reduce yours . . .
. . . The first is to share living quarters with other teachers. Depending on your personal situation, this may be the perfect solution to not only cut your rent in half (or less!), but to form good friendships with other teachers, as well.
The next tip is to ask someone from the local community to help you find a place to live. Many times they will know about apartments or rooms that are for the locals, and aren’t priced for foreigners! You could try asking the management at your school for a guide, or even one of your students.
On to another topic . . .
A few of you wrote in to tell me your views about teaching ESL in the states, and I got to see things in a different light. I admire the fact that you are so dedicated to your students--without the added benefit of living in another culture. And as Briana said in her comment, "Even though I'm not teaching in their native countries, I still experience their culture and learn new things every day."
Never thought about that, but I guess it makes sense. Anyway, thanks for your comments!
Until next time,
Michelle
Looking for more articles about living on a budget as an ESL teacher? Click HERE!
Posted by msimmons at March 29, 2005 03:14 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.esl-lesson-plan.com/mt-tb.cgi/19
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Living On A Budget - Accomodations:
» Living on a Budget – Extra Sources of Income from ESL Lesson Plan
Let’s face it, few people go into ESL to make money, but when you’re being paid a pittance by your academy to work your socks off, you might start wondering why you didn’t choose a more lucrative career. So why not think of alternative sources o... [Read More]
Tracked on April 27, 2006 08:23 AM
Comments
I think sharing accommodation for a female is much easier than for a male. Females are social animals, where as men are not. Males tend to go into their flats and close the door, after they finish work but females want to talk over the garden fence or have coffee together and have a good chat.
I wouldn't like to live amongst the locals either but it really depends upon which country you are in. However, you can save a lot of money, if you eat the same food as the locals, and buying your food from the local market instead of buying imported food at inflated prices. You need to be careful with what you eat and drink though. Any sign of stomach upsets and/or diarrhoea, and you may have to change the food and/or go on to bottled water.
At the beginning of your trip, before leaving home, take with you items which you know you can't do without, or which may be either unavailable or just too expensive. Such as, coffee, chocolate, vitamins, toothpaste, soap, antiseptic cream, insect spray, toilet paper and so on. You will find it will save you a lot of money in the long run. In fact, before going out, get a list of essential items from an expat who is already out there.
Have a good trip.
Posted by: kenneth cohan at March 29, 2005 06:34 PM
