That was so not what I expected. (Sorry about the grammar). She didn't ask me any questions, I seem to have passed that side of things on the app. form. We just talked about the logistics of getting there, and my side of things - money, holidays etc. They do advise you to go on a 90 day visa and change up to 6 months later, then go to Peru for a work visa. This is because the law changes all the time and also it's a bit tricky getting a work visa from the embassy here. I have read that on several forums now.
They're going to send me a contract to look at but they aren't asking me to sign it. They say they've got contracts starting almost all through the year, and I can just go down there and start whenever I can. That would be July at the earliest.
It's very up in the air isn't it? That is not unusual for Ecuador though; now I've just got to sit and think it over, but I really want to go.......
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It is not only Ecuador but if I moved anywhere, I would want to have a car. Buses are ok if they run frequent and all night. I like walking and look forward to walking more. But still enjoy having that car around. Lets just say if I'm in Quevedo, I will not be walking to Guayaquil.
Quevedo is a city on the far east of the Pacific Coast region and only about 45 minutes away from the Andes region. It is not a tourist destination but there are things to do there.
Fantastic! I'm still working out how to afford to get there! I was wondering about a car, although I like walking and cycling, it is the Andes! I'll try and do without for a bit I think. Buses are cheap but sometimes scary. What's your area like, countryside wise?
Me and the employer worked out everything in regards to the surprises (yea some of it had to do with job security). So, he will send me the contract tomorrow and (as long the new contract matches what we agreed on) I will sign it. Once I get there, I'm going to have to get a car. I am going to miss having that convenience.
Sorry, just checked a message I got the other day - it's the work visa that costs $230, and they reckon that it's easier to get it from Peru than from the UK or US. You need your TEFL cert and other educational certificates apostilized (is that right? checked and verified by a solicitor) and some documents from the school. So she must have meant that you can get your tourist visa extended, giving you extra time before you have to spend the $$s. Whether it's legal or not ?????
To be honest the visa situation seems in constant flux and I'm confused by it. I think you can get your 90 day visa extended. Cheryl was saying that you can also then get it extended by another 6 months but it costs something over $200. She's American (or Canadian!) so no language problems but the skype connection was bad. However, I did ask her to clarify and I think that's the case. But that doesn't mean it won't have changed again by the time I can afford to go. I've even heard of some people going on a volunteer visa and getting paid on the sly!
If you look up all the visa types it's baffling and seems pointless when they keep changing. I'm going to wait until I'm near affording the air fair (about £6-700), I'll check it out again.
What do you mean by surprises in the contract? Do you mean conditions or job security, or something else? I'm waiting for mine to look over. I didn't realise it needed to be in Spanish before you mentioned that, but I have a friend from Chille to help me. I hope this doesn't go bad for you! I don't worry too much because I've got the family thing.
In regards to your post in my blog you said:
"I don't think it's true that you are at the mercy of the employer. There are jobs going in Ecuador, not only in teaching, make sure your contract doesn't bind you before you sign it. This is an advantage of not getting a work visa first - does that bind you to your contract? Check it out, because if you don't want to stay more than a year you should be able to get by without one". "What most people do is go to Peru or Columbia to renew or apply. This is what I've been hearing for years, not just from Canadian House."
My reply:
Working in Ecuador without a work visa, is that legal? Yea...I don't think the principal is planning on giving me a work visa. So far in the contract, it appears that I will be started off with a 90 day probationary period which means he can terminate me in the first 90 days if he chooses. But you are saying that it is possible that employers will hire me on an expired visa?
Alix, I'm excited.
European (you) revisits her lost home, American (me) discovers his new home.
Yea...I'm excited, anxious, and nervous all at the same time. I hope everything works out well. I emailed the principal with questions about the contract. There were a few surprises in the contract...nothing too serious... but still want clarification on it. So, I asked him to resend me a revised contract.
I look forward to seeing you in Ecuador and plus you will be my first UK friend. I never hung out with a Brit before....I'm quite sure it will be fun.....lol.
Oh, good for you! :)
Yea, its going to be scary actually leaving England. I don't plan on coming back, not for a long time to be honest! So i have to make it work! haha.
Its good that you have something to fall back on should anything go wrong though!
I read that medicals are generally okay for 6 months but CRBs are kinda funny because as soon as you have one done they are out of date.... You could have commited a crime after getting it i mean, so you'll have to check.
Yeah, there are loads of things to check out 1st, I am getting a CRB done but I don't know if it would be valid by then. The school is sending me a contract to look over. My main aim is to be there with an earner waiting for me. If it all goes wrong I can just get on the bus and go to the farm and find a job in Tena. There are more tourists going down there now, and eco hostels opening up, plenty of prospects really.
The lady I spoke to, Cheryl, did seem genuine, although empathy doesn't really work over skype, so maybe it's rubbish and they really do have a high staff turnover, but I've got time to think.
I think I must be ready to leave though because I've just packed off a load of clothes to oxfam and thrown out a huge pile of old stuff. :)
Hey Alix! I'm so happy for you! you too, Kallen :) Be sure to keep in touch when you are there Alix! you never know when i'm in China and you're in Ecuador we may be able to recommend jobs to each other! :D
Regarding the visa, do you not need to get a police check from this country before going? When i was looking into going to Ecuador, i'm sure i read that.. I thought it was the rule of the working visa. If you get one out in Peru, it would be difficult to get the check done there wouldn't it?
Hey guys - check out if your contracts will be valid if you don't have a visa! Well done Alix - honestly TEFL interviews are usually like that! But make sure it's what you want and the conditions are what you want. Bet you are both excited though hey?
So what are you doing about the visa? Check it out well because the law has changed recently. You've got a degree haven't you? That is the bit that makes me think I'd be better off going out and getting a visa in Peru - I haven't even got any A-levels. That's great you've got somewhere too! I hope they both turn out good, be great to see us reach our ambitions and meet up out there.
Congratulations on your interview. I have just been offered a job from Green Hills in Quevedo Ecuador. They told me that they will send me a contract in English so I can understand. But in Ecuador, contracts are only valid in the official language (Spanish). So, I requested that they send the contract to me in Spanish. Thank God for Google Translate. I told them as long the contract and what we discussed are the same. Then, my signature were serve as my acceptance of the job.
Glad it went OK - it does sound very South American to say just turn up when you want!
Good luck with all the decisions
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