| Caveat Emptor | | | | ample to enjoy living, traveling and enjoying life in your |
| There has been an increasing trend towards people | | | | new digs. |
| moving abroad to retire, change their lifestyle, | | | | 3. Laws and Legal Proceedings Can Be Radically |
| experience new cultures, get closer to their "roots", | | | | Different Abroad |
| and in general to improve their overall living conditions. | | | | The terms "justice" and "what's right" can vary widely |
| But such a move while having numerous benefits, can | | | | from one country to another. Legal systems are often |
| be the proverbial double-edged sword, cutting both | | | | directly related to the type of government a country is |
| ways. There are a few "Caveat Emptors" to be | | | | currently under. This too can change if there is a |
| reckoned with. Just take a look at these... | | | | coupe d'etat, civil war, election, impeachment, death of |
| | | | a head of state or other form of governmental |
| Just a couple of days ago I talked with a woman who | | | | change. The ole U.S. of A, Canada, the UK, Australia |
| still believes that "being a native speaker is enough to | | | | and other major countries have centuries-old, |
| teach your language to others". WRONG. It's not and | | | | well-established (and complicated) legal codes and |
| you can't - at least not effectively enough to make a | | | | systems which are enforced. Many countries |
| consistent stream of income from it. Schools, language | | | | world-wide do not, and may rely on a system of |
| institutes and government education departments are | | | | "justice" which does not favor you, the expatriate or |
| "wising up"; you may not even be able to get a legal, | | | | foreigner. |
| paying job teaching English without some recognized | | | | 4. "Culture Shock" is a Fact of Life Abroad |
| credentials. A CELTA or other well-recognized TEFL | | | | "Culture Shock" is a fact of life abroad so prepare |
| certificate is a minimum requirement to get at least a | | | | yourself for it. No matter how well you live (or don't |
| reasonably-well-paid job. You legal residence and | | | | live) now, relocating to a foreign country can be one of |
| working status could well be impacted too. And, trust | | | | the most traumatic experiences of your life if you don't |
| me on this one, you DON'T want to go where that | | | | properly prepare yourself for major change. Get |
| may lead. | | | | several guidebooks on the country you're considering. |
| 2. A "Lower" Salary Doesn't Mean a "Lesser" Life | | | | Then read them from cover to cover. Check out |
| Style | | | | websites, government and tourist information web |
| "You're only going to pay me WHAT!" You should see | | | | pages, history books, literature and almanac or |
| their faces when they first get the news. "I can't | | | | yearbook data from as many sources as you can. Be |
| possibly live off that!" Well actually, yes you can - and | | | | an informed, knowledgeable expatriate BEFORE you |
| often quite well too. I also like the one when they hear, | | | | go anywhere. |
| "We'll pay you a million pesos!" Oh man. Great, they | | | | More Information Coming Up Soon |
| quip, eyes beaming. Then the other shoe drops when | | | | In the second of this two-part article, we'll consider |
| they find out that one million pesos is only five hundred | | | | three more important considerations for teaching |
| dollars a month. What is said next is not repeatable | | | | English as a foreign language abroad that "you didn't |
| here. When you get a salary offer, you need not | | | | know about". So "Don't Expect a Perfect World", "If |
| necessarily cringe. Consider what you'll be paid in light | | | | you're a Minority ..." and "Start Learning the Local |
| of the local cost of living. More often though, you'll get | | | | Language" will be briefly addressed. See you then. |
| a seemingly low sounding salary which is more than | | | | |