[Brosemite]

(03-25-2013 06:23 PM)Bacchus Wrote:  

I worked in Manaus, and it was the perfect fit for me. I got my visa before going to Brazil, although I only got it a few days before I was scheduled to start classes. I found a program online that places gringos without teaching experience in schools in Brazil. There are some limitations to the program, but for me the positives more than outweighed the negatives. I applied around this time of year to start teaching in August.

I broke even each month. If I wanted to do something else, such as a trip to the jungle or to Rio, I used my savings to cover that. I had the opportunity to teach some students in private lessons, but I didn't do too much of that. I had other priorities.

I don't know what would disqualify someone from a visa. I only have some traffic citations. The hold up was waiting for some document to arrive from Brazil. Also, when I arrived in Brazil, my school tried to screw me by having me work 6 days a week. I negotiated them down to 4 days. Those negotiations were tense though. Be prepared for stuff like that. Also my school paid me on time, but that's not always a given. There are many advantages to living in Brazil, but be prepared for some really annoying shit too.

PM me for more details.

Chochemonger would be proud, haha. I'm going to be in Curitiba for a graduate project along with enrolling in advanced grammar classes in Portuguese through a language institution for about 50 hours. My friends and host family down there now are however recommending that I should give teaching English a shot while I'm down. I will be in Brazil from late-May to late-August, but if I field a good offer teaching English...I'll be staying until December while working full-time and doing more advanced grammar classes part-time.

Here is my strategy at least for getting a work visa in Brazil (already have tourist one).
1) Send schools in Curitiba my friends are acclimated with my resume and cover information via email.
2) Get responses hopefully as my friends also with my resume will be putting in a good word for me.
3) When applying for a Brazilian work visa, you need to provide A) bank account statements of your funds, B) a letter mentioning your intent of activities in Brazil, C) a mailing address in the country, D) new passport like pictures, and E) letters from an employer indicating they are interested in hiring you (or even better committed).
4) I can provide the information above except for letter of job placement, because I can't really finalize that until I get down to Curitiba. What I will TRY to swing is use response letters from employers as a letter of interest so I can get this 2 year work visa while explaining that I couldn't confirm placement before arriving in Brazil because I can only get a formal offer after meeting in person. I will also mention the part about me returning to the US in August if I don't get an offer to my liking.
5) Hopefully my work visa comes in the mail early-mid May before I fly out of the country.

I really appreciate the insight as I'll PM you if any other questions arise.