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!)

Before deciding to ship furniture using an international shipping company, it is important to note that it is an extremely costly affair. Whether you are shipping overseas or into the neighboring country, costs involved are high. The item or items you wish to ship should be of extensive sentimental or financial value otherwise it is not really worth your while.

When searching for an international shipping company, you will find that there are many to choose from, and numerous listings can be found in the yellow pages under the following headers:

•    Freight Forwarders
•    Movers
•    Shipping Agents

If at all possible, try and get a recommendation from a friend or from your furniture supplier as to which international shipping company to use. Often furniture dealers will have a reputable transport source with which they constantly do business. If you are buying an item that you wish to transport back home, it might be a good idea to get the shop owner to package and ship it for you using their services on hand.

There are two main shipping methods, namely:

•    Freight Shipping
•    White Glove Moving

Freight shipping is the cheapest method and would involve your furniture being placed in a container and transported by an international shipping company either by land, sea or air.

White Glove Moving is a more personalized option that offers door to door service and includes the packing of your furniture and the loading of it onto and off of the carrier. This option is far more expensive but decreases the amount of stress involved for you.

As mentioned above, there are some hefty costs involved when using an international shipping company to transport your furniture. It is advisable to get a few quotes before making your decision on which one to use.

The fees payable are calculated in a number of ways:

•    Weight of your furniture
•    The dimensions of each item or box
•    Distance the furniture is to be shipped
•    Whether you will need it packaged or not
•    Pick up and delivery costs

If you can do the packaging and deliver the goods to the international shipping company yourself, then you will more than likely save a lot more.

Some tips to remember when packaging your furniture:

•    If any of your furniture can be disassembled, then do so before packaging the items. This minimizes the space used up and will prevent it from breaking during transit
•    Double box any valuable or breakable items using a cushioned layer between the two boxes to ensure that they remain intact
•    Make sure you take out insurance on your furniture to be shipped

Be aware that there are many companies who don’t care whether your goods arrive intact, on time or in the right place. So choosing the right international shipping company is the most important decision you are going to make in this process.

International Shipping