Endless Europe

Teaching English Europe

In this soft economy, many college graduates are opting to take hiatuses rather than take jobs that they feel undervalue their skill set, never mind the cost of their education.  But with parents often just as strapped for cash as little Johnny or Sue, the post-college trip – once funded by graduation money or signing bonuses for jobs starting 3-4 months after graduation – is an unfunded liability, as it were. That’s why more and more students are discovering ways to travel and earn money at the same time – working on cruise ships, couriering, or even teaching English. Teaching English is especially lucrative as English is perceived globally as a kind of bridge to the global upper middle class regardless of nationality. And when it comes to making money for traveling by teaching English, Europe and Japan are standouts.

English teachers with TEFL training or certification can make upwards of $100/hr for class time or tutoring by virtue of the TEFL designation in Japan and Europe. Luckily for Americans, since most Britons and their English-speaking brethren around Europe take their travels before or doing university, they often don’t have the credentials to take these high-paying English-teaching jobs and so aren’t able to pay for travel through work in the same way that Americans can should an American decide to undergo TEFL certification.

Being a teacher of English in Europe is therefore an under-the-radar way to pay for what could be endless globetrotting on a frugal budget. Since teachers are paid in local currency as well, it is also easier for teachers of English to ESOL students to afford local costs of living, whereas workers in the hospitality industry – many of whom are paid by foreign national companies – are paid in dollars, which, of course, don’t go the distance they used to. 

For those looking to take a trip to discover what they love, to explore the world at an age of little responsibility, or to wait out what is – in the eyes of those capable of looking past the red and black numbers – a recession, then working while traveling is the way to go. And if working while traveling is a dream of yours, then getting a TEFL certification that will allow you to secure high-paying jobs teaching English almost wherever you go is probably one of the best decisions you will ever make. (That is, of course, until you decide to blow off the whole ‘career’ thing for good!)

Rolling hills, snow capped mountains, quaint villages, lush green hillsides striped with row upon row of grape laden vineyards – this is Italy, my Italy. I do not want to ever leave this place.

But I must. My father has purchased a vineyard in California, USA and as the eldest son; I must go to supervise the winery. He describes it as the American arm of the family business of wine making…a time honored tradition in our family as far back as anyone can research.

Why do we have to branch out? I’m happy to just keep the business to Italy but my father is a very ambitious man. He says I am to move all my belongings from the small house I occupy on our land. That way, I will have a piece of Italy with me. Besides, all of the furnishings were chosen by my beloved mother, God rest her soul.

And so it must be. The eldest son in an Italian household has responsibilities and a good one does not go against the will of his father, especially in business. I call the international moving companies in the phone book and begin to collect quotes. I don’t care too much about the rates; I just want the best one. I check each international moving company to make sure they have a correct and current license and then I book the one with the best reputation on the Better Business Bureau.

There. Done. Life, as I know it, will never be the same. The agent of the international moving company that I have chosen is very helpful. She gives me advice on the papers that I need to have with me and she tells me she’s even been to California. She says I should check on the Internet – I’ll be able to see pictures of it and it will make me feel better. I’m thinking I’d much rather have a picture of her!

But I do check it out. I go to the library in town to use the Internet. I’m very surprised at how beautiful California is with its ocean, sandy beaches, palm trees and lush, green rolling hills. I don’t see any mountains but from the map, it looks like California is huge. Maybe there are mountains somewhere in that great state.

I call my international moving company agent, whose name is Sophia, to thank her for letting me know where to look for this information on the Internet and we decide that we should go out for coffee tomorrow as it is her day off. I decide that if she looks even half as beautiful as her voice sounds, I’ll be in heaven.

And so we meet. She is as beautiful as she sounds. Coffee turns into lunch which turns into an afternoon stroll in the park. I invite her to come visit me in California and she says she will. Suddenly, leaving doesn’t seem so bad. Thanks international moving company!

International Moving