Americans avoid Columbia for good reasons. A virtual civil war has been raging for almost 40 years. Crime and violence rates are among the highest in the world. And then there is the “drug problem.” Why would anyone consider coming here to teach English?

“I came here because a friend who was working in Cali liked it and recommended it to me,” says Glenn Yates, a teacher now in his second year at a bilingual school. Tired of Canada’s frigid winters, he fled to a land of year-round warm weather and an even warmer welcome.

Colin Jacobs, tired of gloomy days and drizzle, found a way to teach English in Cali from his native England over 20 years ago and hasn’t left since. “I don’t think he can ever live in London again,” he says. “After adjusting to the near-perfect weather, food, and easy-going lifestyle here, I don’t really look forward to going back. I’m spoiled for life.”

Me too. Hundreds of varieties of flowers scent the air, even in winter. Pantries abound with exotic fruits like Guava and Carambolo. The one-year growing season allows papayas to reach almost the size of watermelons; mangoes can weigh up to two pounds each. Colombia’s strong black coffee, considered the richest in the world, is served everywhere.

But it’s sure?

There are problems, yes, but not of “run-scream-to-the-mountains” intensity. Most conflicts occur in the field. While this can make intercity travel risky at times, residents within major cities like Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín feel little impact and live fairly normally. Adjusting to power failures, phone or water outages, and rainy season flooding is more of a nuisance than a threat to life. The larger cities are reasonably well policed ​​and generally safe, if you’re careful.

drugs? Most of the illicit production is for export, so except for the warring drug factions in the coca-growing areas, there isn’t much of an impact on a daily basis. During major holidays, the government intensifies military patrols of major highways and tourist areas to ensure protection and safer travel for vacationers.

Quality of life

Cali, with two million inhabitants, is known as the “world capital of salsa”, rivaling Cuba. The two largest malls are home to multiplex theater complexes showing first-run American movies in English with Spanish subtitles. Publications in English are readily available at bookstores and newsstands. Material in English can be borrowed free of charge at the Universidad Santiago de Cali and for an annual fee of $3 at the Centro Cultural Colombo Americano. The Municipal Theater, the Tertulia Arts Complex and the Jorge Isaacs Theater offer regular productions in Spanish. Ethnic restaurants specialized in Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine continually tempt Cali’s paletas. Christmas celebrations take place throughout the year. Check them out online at [http://www.holiday] festival.com/colombia.html. You will never get bored in Cali.

Works

Native English teachers are in short supply here. Wages reflect high demand. Most teaching positions require the applicant to be a native English speaker and have a college degree. A teaching certificate and some experience are a definite plus. The work is available in bilingual schools, language institutes and universities. Submitting a dozen resumes in English should generate half that number of interviews, culminating in several job offers in no time.

You don’t speak Spanish? Interviews are usually in English, but as a working resident you’ll probably want to learn more than touristic Spanish. The Santiago de Cali University and the Pontificia Universitaria Javeriana have Spanish programs for foreigners. Berlitz (www.berlitz.com) has offices in Cali with Spanish classes. A private tutor is quite easy to find.

“It hasn’t been a problem finding someone to help me when I need something done in Spanish,” said Glen Yates, who, with his limited Spanish, has found Colombians to be very friendly and sociable.

So don’t worry effortlessly about news reports. Call, write or email schools and colleges to get an idea of ​​their needs and requirements. Take a look at the websites. Gather your diplomas, certificates, and letters of reference. Don’t forget to collect materials such as maps, postcards, flyers, magazines, and souvenirs from your hometown. These will be invaluable for your conversations with students.

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