I recently had an interview with the Green Hills School in Quevedo Ecuador. The principal seemed nice. He spoke ok english. However, I think his accent made it hard for me to understand certain things he was saying. I am going to have to learn how to cut down my vocabulary when talking to foreigners (I use too many big words). He sent me quite a few emails to explain the teaching position in writing. I must say for the salary and benefits, it could be a good teaching option for me. He said that if he offers me a position that I must be prepared to come down Ecuador in 2 weeks. Talking about fast....that will be quick. He will let me know his decision by Friday.
One of my concerns with employers (especially international employers) is that I would like to sign the contract before I get on the plane. Verbal agreements do not hold water (not with most employers at least). And once you are in the country, you are at the mercy of the employer and they may decide to change your contract to what they feel is convenient for them. And the only two choices you are left with is to take what is given to you or fly back home. Most people don't fly back home and usually deal with the new contract.
I will only take the offer if I can read and sign the contract before leaving the country.
So, I will just wait and see...
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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, and if you come from the US, it's not too hard to go home and sort it out if you find your dream job? 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.
I just noticed the bit in your last post about not having flown before. I have had some truly beautiful experiences flying in and out of Quito! The airport is in the middle of the city. If it's daylight you can see all the volcanoes around Quito as you circle, and as you close in you can see the Virgin of Quito and then you come down below the peaks to land.
Last time it was midnight and cloudy. We circled for ages above the moonlit peaks, with orange lights from the pueblos casting a spooky glow into the clouds from beneath. And if you're really lucky, the sun will rise or set whilst you are flying north/south. If this is likeky, grab a window seat!
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 will serve as my acceptance of the job.
Good to know that I have I-to-I as my wildcard just in case things don't work out with Green Hills.
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