Virtual Napa

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!)

Shipping your car to another destination is not as difficult as the idea may seem, provided that you are supplied with the correct information from square one.

The selection of your international shipping company is the first and foremost decision you will need to make. You can find a listing in your local yellow pages or online using a search engine. Most agents will give you a free quote so you can make as many inquiries as you need to until you find the one for you. Factors you should take into consideration when making your selection are:

•    Do they have good recommendations and track record?
•    Can the provide references to confirm this?
•    Have they been in the business for a considerable amount of time? Be careful of fly-by-night companies
•    Are they reasonably priced?
•    Do they offer personalized service?
•    Do they guarantee the delivery date? Some companies have a clause written into their terms and conditions that will relieve them of any responsibility to arrive on the proposed delivery date. You could end up waiting an extended period of time over and above what you expected.

You will need to provide your international shipping company with certain information regarding your car and where you plan to ship it. For example:

•    You will need to provide original papers for the vehicle to prove ownership
•    Make of the car, model and other specifications
•    Origin and destination
•    Estimated date of departure

All vehicle transporters must carry insurance, but what they actually cover varies from one international shipping company to another. They also may only have insurance secondary to your own, so it is imperative that you check what they are liable for and what you are responsible for. In some cases, if the insurance cover is not sufficient then you can top it up to a more attractive option.

Leaving your car in someone else’s hands is a huge test for anybody. But with a highly regarded international shipping company, your worries will be minor. On collection, a pre-shipping inspection of your car will be done and a report will be compiled. This is to ensure that any damage currently existing on the car will not be made the shipping agent’s responsibility. It is a good idea to be present when the inspection is done.

More importantly, on receiving your car at its proposed destination, the inspection report will be brought out again and checked against your car for any damage imposed to the vehicle during transit. Make sure that you check your car thoroughly and slowly with the shipping agent present.

Other points to note:

•    It is illegal to store anything in your car when it is being transported by an international shipping company
•    All alarms and anti theft devices need to be disarmed before your vehicle is loaded
•    Any loose items must be secured properly, or completely detached
•    The laws regarding shipping of automobiles vary from country to country. It is advisable to confirm with the customs officials of your chosen destination what is required for entry into the country.

International Moving