Hey guys,
I'm 25 and will be starting medical school in the fall. I recently quit my job in the US and decided that I want to go to South America for 3-6 months. I don't like being a "tourist," so I'm thinking about getting a position as an ESL teacher somewhere so I can attempt to break even and, more importantly, keep myself occupied. I took a year of Spanish my senior year of college and have forgotten most of it; however, I know French and sense that I am good with languages. I think that with a few weeks of hardcore practice I could get back up to speed with Spanish.
As such, I'm trying to figure out the right destination based on my needs and preferences. Here are my thoughts:
1. It seems logical that I should go to a Spanish-speaking country (not Brazil) since I know a little Spanish. I sense that it would be easier for me to continue learning Spanish rather than wasting what I've learned and just starting over to learn Portuguese. Also, Spanish is a more useful language. The reason I hesitate not to discard Brazil is that a.) from what I have heard it just seems awesome; the culture's openness and sexuality would vibe with my way of life and the girls are smokin. From a pure social standpoint, is Brazil just way more fun than everywhere else? Also, b.) I have very distant relatives who live there. At the very least that might give me a social network and support that I wouldn't have in another SA country. I think they might be wealthy, too, which could be cool.
2. If I don't go to Brazil, what would be a good location for someone who doesn't know much Spanish but is willing to learn? In other words, where are people (and the chicks) the most open to a foreigner who's willing to give things his best shot? Maybe Argentina fits this bill because it's so cosmopolitan.
3. I'll be traveling between February and July so a city that has great weather then would be ideal. And I'd prefer one on the coast. But if there's a location that lacks great weather but is just better than the rest in terms of the girls and the experience it would give me, then the weather isn't that big a deal.
4. Also, I have experience teaching tennis and found an organization http://www.goabroad.com/providers/lead-a...ador-62675 that would place me as an assistant tennis instructor in a residential section of Quito, Ecuador. It costs $1000 a month but would provide me with a homestay and 2/3 meals a day. Do you guys think a homestay for someone my age would be a bad or a good idea? I think it could be a good experience, but maybe I am naive and that kind of thing is only for high school kids and would make it tough for going out and meeting girls. Additionally, teaching tennis at a club might not provide the social opportunities that teaching ESL does, but I'm not sure. I've also read mixed reviews on Quito.
5. Colombia seems cool for some reason because of how hot the girls are. Medillen and Bogota would be possibilities. Also, I hear they Salsa a lot in Colombia. I have taken Salsa classes and would like to get better at that. It's an amazing way to meet chicks.
6. Lastly, safety is an issue because I like meeting new people and, with limited Spanish, I can imagine by putting myself out there I will also be more vulnerable to getting taken advantage of. I'd be curious to hear from those of you who didn't know much Spanish but went to SA solo for an extended period of time.
Sorry for the long post. Thoughts/suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Also, if you happen to stumble across any job openings that might be a good fit for me, let me know.
I'm 25 and will be starting medical school in the fall. I recently quit my job in the US and decided that I want to go to South America for 3-6 months. I don't like being a "tourist," so I'm thinking about getting a position as an ESL teacher somewhere so I can attempt to break even and, more importantly, keep myself occupied. I took a year of Spanish my senior year of college and have forgotten most of it; however, I know French and sense that I am good with languages. I think that with a few weeks of hardcore practice I could get back up to speed with Spanish.
As such, I'm trying to figure out the right destination based on my needs and preferences. Here are my thoughts:
1. It seems logical that I should go to a Spanish-speaking country (not Brazil) since I know a little Spanish. I sense that it would be easier for me to continue learning Spanish rather than wasting what I've learned and just starting over to learn Portuguese. Also, Spanish is a more useful language. The reason I hesitate not to discard Brazil is that a.) from what I have heard it just seems awesome; the culture's openness and sexuality would vibe with my way of life and the girls are smokin. From a pure social standpoint, is Brazil just way more fun than everywhere else? Also, b.) I have very distant relatives who live there. At the very least that might give me a social network and support that I wouldn't have in another SA country. I think they might be wealthy, too, which could be cool.
2. If I don't go to Brazil, what would be a good location for someone who doesn't know much Spanish but is willing to learn? In other words, where are people (and the chicks) the most open to a foreigner who's willing to give things his best shot? Maybe Argentina fits this bill because it's so cosmopolitan.
3. I'll be traveling between February and July so a city that has great weather then would be ideal. And I'd prefer one on the coast. But if there's a location that lacks great weather but is just better than the rest in terms of the girls and the experience it would give me, then the weather isn't that big a deal.
4. Also, I have experience teaching tennis and found an organization http://www.goabroad.com/providers/lead-a...ador-62675 that would place me as an assistant tennis instructor in a residential section of Quito, Ecuador. It costs $1000 a month but would provide me with a homestay and 2/3 meals a day. Do you guys think a homestay for someone my age would be a bad or a good idea? I think it could be a good experience, but maybe I am naive and that kind of thing is only for high school kids and would make it tough for going out and meeting girls. Additionally, teaching tennis at a club might not provide the social opportunities that teaching ESL does, but I'm not sure. I've also read mixed reviews on Quito.
5. Colombia seems cool for some reason because of how hot the girls are. Medillen and Bogota would be possibilities. Also, I hear they Salsa a lot in Colombia. I have taken Salsa classes and would like to get better at that. It's an amazing way to meet chicks.
6. Lastly, safety is an issue because I like meeting new people and, with limited Spanish, I can imagine by putting myself out there I will also be more vulnerable to getting taken advantage of. I'd be curious to hear from those of you who didn't know much Spanish but went to SA solo for an extended period of time.
Sorry for the long post. Thoughts/suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Also, if you happen to stumble across any job openings that might be a good fit for me, let me know.
