Life is crazy! :D

Hi Rick,

I'm currently working at CEDEI in Cunca. This is a language school that offers a longterm Spanish program to foreign students and English (13 different levels and conversation/writing classes) to the local community. you can apply with them (they're currently hiring for the next cycle to start in September!) via their website or send an e-mail to erodas@cedei.org . Another school here, as well a language school, is Canadian House. They pay less than CEDEI but it's a fun place. Their website address is http://www.thecandianhousecenter.com.

Good luck!!!!

Hi Emma,

Cuenca is about 4 hours fro the coast (as far as I know... I've not been to he coast since I'm in Cuenca though). 

Never been to Machala, all I know about it is that it is a place I'd like to visit, think that's not that much more than the banana's you know from there ;)

Hello MariekeE,

I have been wanting to live in Cuenca for a long time now but have not been able to find any teaching positions there as yet. Since you recieved 3 offers there I was wondering if you could tell me how or where you found these positions? Any help or advice you could give would be much appriciated. Thanks, Rick

Hi MariekeE, one more question.... I am a very keen scuba diving which is one of the reasons Ecuador has caught my eye.... how far does it take to get from Cuenca to the coast? As im thinking of the weekends I will be wanting to head out diving! Also have you been to Machala as I to I also offers jobs there which is on the coast but I cant find to much about it apart it has a lot of bananas :) xx

Hello,

I have many friends both single and families living throughout Ecuador and yes, you can find shared accomodations for $110 and up..but that is the difference here... Shared!. Personally I like private accomodations and I included the cost of internet and utilities in the $300 to $400 a month as well as groceries and transportation etc. A single person can live on $400 a month there but saving money is not a reality nor paying off past debts earning $400 a month in Ecuador. There is however opportunities to teach privately and eanr some extra income. Again Emmaz, you can get all the information you need about life in and the cost of living etc in Ecuador at  http://www.gringosabroad.com 

Rick
Dynamic Bio Resumes
http://www.dynamicbioresumes.com 

Hi Emma and Rich,

First of all, I did not apply via i-to-i but directly to the school I'm working for right now, CEDEI. They are currently interviewing for the next cycle that starts in September. Although they will help you with your visa application and with finding a place to live, they do not, like most schools, pay for any of that. Meaning you have to pay for your own apartment.

$300 - $400 might seem cheap if you're coming directly from Europe or the USA but I can tell you that it is incredibly expensive! Imagine you're making about $450 - $550 a month... do you really want to spend $400 on housing?!

Food is a lot cheaper than we're used to and of great quality, that is a definite plus! And Cuenca is a gorgeous city to live in.

The local busses (staying inside of Cuenca) will cost you $.0.25 per bus ride, taxis are normally $2,- although there are a couple that will charge you $2.50 if you leave from the airport. Long distnace busses are normally around $1.25 per hour of travelling. Quito - Cuenca for instance is 8 hours and will cost you $10,-.

Going out, you can make it as inexpensve or expansive as you would like. Cuenca is getting more and more expensive and that's mainly due to the high amount of foreigners sttling down here. Still. compared to the cost of living in our home countries its amazingly cheap ;) and I have no problems iiving on my $400,- salary (but I pay only $110,- for my fully furnsished beautiful shared apartment)

Hello Emmaz,

I have researched Ecuador as a possible place to move to permenently as an ExPat. I can tell you that the cost of living there is very low. For example, a one bedroom apt would be about $300 to $400 per month. I understand the schools offer free accomodations so that helps a great deal. Food can also be inexpensive if you go to the right stores...some are quite a bit more expensive than others so do some research. Transportation can also be inexpensive. For example, a bus ride can cost from .10 cents for local to $10.00 for a much longer excursion. Here is a great website for information about ecuador by some freinds of mine that moved there a couple years ago. http://www.gringosabroad.com

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Rick 

hey did you apply for the job through I to I? I have been looking at there placement service and they say that you get paid approximately $400 per month, would you say that is enough to live off, as it sounds very low however I have never been so who am I to say :) x

Yes, I'll be in Loja to teach in September. But Cuenca is on the "to visit" list, so hopefully we can meet up! I visited there in January and the fiance and I loved it! But we decided that we'd like to spend some time in Loja, so I've accepted an offer to teach there.

Sounds great. I'm going back to South America this year. I might even meet some people whose could be my distant relatives whose Spanish surname and ancestry I share. Haha. They live in Cuenca and Guayaquil.

You're going to Ecuador as well? It's a fun ride so far! :))

Sounds amazing! I'm jealous you're already back. I'll be impatiently waiting till late August. haha.

I have the best time of my life (to go with another song..) :)

Wow! Sounds like a Craig David song! Hope you have fun!