Rookie Vagabonders

Hey Vagabonders, so I hope all of you were inspired by my sweet road trip I’m taking this summer and have started making plans of your own. But before you become one with the road and dive into your first rousing game of eye spy, you might want to figure out where you’re staying upon reaching your various destinations.

While doing some research this past weekend, I came across a great website that I think any road tripper (and vagabonder for that matter), needs to know about. It’s called CouchSurfing, and yes, it is as cool as it sounds. According to founder, Casey Fenton, the basic mission of CouchSurfing is to connect world travelers with the communities they visit. And how do they do this exactly? Well, by creating a social networking site where people can offer their couch to travelers as a place to stay and set up plans to stay at other couches in exchange. Founded in 2003, CouchSurfing is now operating in more than 170 countries worldwide! Plus, it’s completely FREE, although it runs exclusively on donations, so if you guys start using this, I would definitely suggest dropping some cash money into the tip jar.

A map showing where all the current Couch Surfers are located (represented by red dots)

To start using CouchSurfing, you need to first create a detailed personal profile with photos, interests etc, kind of like Facebook or MySpace. Then, once you’ve decided on a place to visit, you start browsing through profiles of people who live in or near that particular destination. From there, it’s simply a matter of contacting some prospective people you think you might like to stay with (there is a request form and instructions to make this easier) and confirm with them the details of your stay. There is a lot of opportunity to talk with fellow travelers through discussion boards, so you can start making contacts even before you embark on your adventures. If you’re still a little confused about how CouchSurfers works, check out their FAQ.

Now I’m sure the issue of safety has crossed your mind (and if not yours, your mothers’). CouchSurfing has several safety precautions in place to protect their surfers, including a fairly rigorous verification system that checks the validity of all user profiles. In addition, the site runs on user referrals and “friend links,” whereby your verification is strengthened by the number of fellow surfers linking to you profile. The more links you have, the more people you have vouching for you as a valid user, effectively creating what CouchSurfing likes to call their “circle of trust.” So, I would definitely talk to other surfers and browse a few profiles to find people with high verification, just to make sure you’re as safe as possible.

If you check out the website, you’ll quickly realize that this site goes way beyond helping travelers find a comfy place for the night. I though there mission statement was really great and kind of sums up the whole purpose of my little blog here (at least parts of it does):

As a community we strive to do our individual and collective parts to make the world a better place, and we believe that the surfing of couches is a means to accomplish this goal. CouchSurfing isn’t about the furniture- it’s not just about finding free accommodations around the world- it’s about participating in creating a better world. We strive to make a better world by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives. We open our minds and welcome the knowledge that cultural exchange makes available. We create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures. CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world!

I don’t know about you guys but I can’t WAIT to try out this website when I embark on my next global excursion (which will hopefully be soon). So keep an eye out for me, because I may be coming to a couch near you in the not-so-distant future…

P.S I just wanted to let you guys know that this is technically my last required post (I think I mentioned it, but I write this blog as part of a class). This does NOT mean that the road ends here. I definitely plan to continue growing into an Intermediate and maybe even Expert Vagabonder, and I hope you will join me in this adventure. Let’s promise to keep in touch, OK?!

Amongst the mounds of reading, a plethora of papers still to write, and the horror of finals, one thing manages to put a sweet taste in my mouth and a crazy glint in my eye: the undeniable fact that three months of pure, unadulterated summer bliss is now within reach. And what better way to celebrate the end of school and the sunshiny days ahead than with a ROAD TRIP! It’s time to bid farewell to that rubric cube-size dorm room and head for the highways with some of your BFFs. In fact, my two best guy friends and I are road-tripping it back home to Boston in May. Check out our tentative route here!

My partners in crime, Tom and Justin

While road trips seem easy enough to orchestrate (friends + necessities + car = road trip), it actually takes a fair amount of preparation. Here are some tips on how to plan your own totally rad adventure:

1.) Decide where to go: The U.S is full of interesting cities and towns, so make the most of your road trip by hitting as many cool places as possible. Also consider following Robert Frost’s advice and take the road less traveled. Get off the major highways and find some of those crazy landmarks and kooky country towns that will make your trip one to remember. Check out these top 12 favorite student cities for inspiration on where to go!

2.) Make finding food part of the adventure: There is only so much Bojangles and sweet tea you can ingest before your insides begin staging a civil war.  So try to make finding food as much a part of the adventure as the license plate game or fanny pack spotting (my personal favorite). Back roads and scenic highways are more likely to have locally owned mom-and-pop restaurants that serve good food at an even better price. Farm stands are also another great option for cheap, fresh fruit and perhaps even a delicious piece of grandma’s homemade pie…mmmmm.

3.) Split the cost of gas fairly: With the soaring cost of gas these days, road trips are not as cheap as they used to be. In order to make it fair, I would suggest a.) Alternating who pays for gas every time you stop, or b.) Figuring out beforehand how much money is needed to fill the tank and split it evenly between passengers. Either way, paying for gas is highway robbery (pun…intended) so definitely consider this when planning your trip. Check out these “Top 5 Money Saving Road Trip Tips” to make your pockets reach a little deeper.

4.) Stay safe and be prepared: Driving for long periods of time can definitely take a toll on your car, so make sure to get a check-up and pack an emergency tool kit with jumper cables, a flashlight etc. just in case. Signing up for AAA is also not a bad idea and definitely pick up some maps and guides while you’re at it. Also, just remember that there are a lot of crazies on the road, so maybe try to keep road rage to a minimum and if someone or something is making you uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to seek out help.

Since there is just so much info about planning a totally awesome road trip, I’m going to have to split this into two posts. But if you want to do a little research on your own, check out what Crislip has to say or try these road trip tips. For now, start loading those iPods with some quality 80s/early 90s beats and practice your best windblown look because Road Trip 2008 is just around the corner…GET EXCITED!

Hey VBs, so as promised, here is a little Q&A with my friend Sophie, who is currently teaching English abroad in Zilina, Slovakia!

VB: How did you find your program and what made you go with this particular one?

The lovely Sophie in Bristol, England

Sophie: I am not actually taking part in a program while I am working in Slovakia. I found the school that I work for on the internet, and applied for the position directly. This was my first teaching position, and so I had to take that into account when I was looking for a job. I knew I wanted to work in Europe, as I have an EU passport (She’s from Bristol, England originally) and it would make everything a lot easier.

Western European countries usually want experienced teachers, while eastern European countries will more likely hire new teachers. I was also interested in this area of Europe because of my Polish heritage. I applied for jobs in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Slovakian schools were the ones that seemed most interested in having me work for them and offered jobs quickly. The school I work for has three different branches throughout Slovakia, however I did not have a choice about which city I would go to.

VB: What was your training like? Did you need certification?

Sophie: It was necessary to have a degree and a TESL/TESOL training certificate. My training was with Oxford Seminars; it was three weekends long, and just covered the basics of what needed to be done in the classroom. Most of my own learning, however, has been done in the classroom on the job…the best way to learn how to teach English is through trial and error. You don’t know if something will work until you try it, and furthermore, it might be very successful with one class, and disastrous with another!

VB: If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the salary like and have you supplemented your pay with additional lessons or tutoring?

Sophie: The salary for a teacher in Slovakia is very low, and considered virtually minimum wage. However, it is enough to live reasonably comfortably here. It is possible to earn and save money in other countries, for example Japan and Korea. I do not do any private lessons, although people always request them. I work 34 teaching hours a week…which is a lot for an English language teacher, and so I don’t have enough time to teach anyone else. It is also, technically, against my contract.

VB: Did your employers offer accommodation, and if not, how did you go about securing your own place?

Sophie: Part of the deal for working for my school is that they find and offer a small apartment within walking distance of our school. My apartment is very small, just one room and a tiny bathroom. The apartment block itself is not nice and looks worn down and tired, however the inside of my apartment is newly furnished, and acceptable. The area of Zilina is not the best, however I have never experienced any problems.

VB: You have definitely had a lot of opportunity to travel: Where are some of your favorite places you’ve visited so far?

Sophie: I have seen more than I ever imagined I would, and have enjoyed seeing practically everywhere I have visited. It’s fun to go to big tourist centres to see the sites, as well as visit smaller places to see how people in Slovakia / Czech Republic actually live. Highlights during my year were certainly Vienna, Budapest, Krakow and the mountains in Slovakia. There’s too many to name!

VB: What do you like most about teaching English abroad (and your program)?

Sophie: My favorite thing about teaching abroad is definitely the students. Generally I teach adults and am able to communicate them much more easily than with children. I have made friends with lots of the students and spend time with them socially as well.

VB: What do you like least?

Sophie: Unless you are firm about your contract, English Language Schools will try to give you too many working hours. In Canada, a 35 hour week is normal in an office, but no teacher would be expected to work that many hours and to plan their lessons successfully. Working hours are also antisocial hours…for example I work every morning, have the afternoon off, and then work most evenings.

VB: What advice do you have for those looking to teach English abroad?

Sophie: If possible try to get a contract before leaving your own country, so you know exactly what you are getting into! You don’t want to find yourself flying to a faraway destionation only to be faced with a contract different from what they promised you in their emails.

Sophie has been teaching since last July and her one-year contract is almost up. She plans to do a bit of traveling (she’s going to Croatia…so jealous!) before heading back home to Canada. Like I said last time, travel is definitely a perk of teaching English abroad and the Soph-ster has taken full advantage of it! Checkout some of her pictures from all the amazing places she has visited this past year!

Thanks Sophie (Miss you IVORY)!

So you’ve just rocked out to that schmaltzy graduation march, thrown your cap into the air and hugged your buddies. But now what? Are you sure you’re ready for the 9-5 grind with the occasional casual Friday thrown in there? If you’re like me, probably not, so why not put your native tongue to good use and teach English abroad!

Teaching English is a great opportunity for those hoping to do a little traveling while making some okay moula at the same time. And as fellow blogger, Kenneth Beare, says, becoming an ESL teachers allows you to gain some interesting work experience while also giving you the chance to think about what you really want to do, which is perfect for new college grads. Now a lot of you are probably asking:

Where can I teach English abroad?

The best part about this job is that you can teach in almost any non-English speaking country, so the opportunities are endless. The highest demand for teachers is in Asian countries like Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, while some of the most competitive jobs are in cities like Paris and Barcelona.

Do I need any sort of certification for this job?

This really depends on where you’re teaching and who you’re teaching for. The majority of ESL jobs require a college degree in virtually any subject, and a few may require more formal training such as a TEFL certificate. If you’re serious about teaching for a living, a TEFL certificate helps you prepare for classroom experience and develop your skills. It also may improve your chances of being hired in some of the more popular European countries.

How much money can I expect to make while abroad?

Again, this depends on the position, your qualifications and the destination. One thing you need to consider before taking a job is the cost of living in whatever country you’re thinking of teaching in, because this can make a huge difference in your overall earnings.

Some employers will provide free or discounted accommodation, while others may reimburse your airfare or provide medical insurance to supplement teacher wages. Many teachers will also take on additional classes or offer private tutoring to make a few extra bucks, but you should probably check with your employer first to make sure this is OK.

Where can I find jobs?

Here are some of the best sites I found:

• Teach Abroad
• Transitions Abroad Job Board
• Dave’s ESL Café
• Teaching Jobs in Japan

Teaching English abroad has been a popular post-graduation adventure for decades and so there is a ton of information online. Because this is a big decision, I would definitely do some major research into various programs and countries you’re interested in (check out Transitions Abroad). Your college career services might also be a great resource and can connect you with alumni who may be willing to talk to you about their experiences.

A fellow vagabonder and close friend of mine, Sophie, has been teaching English in Slovakia since last summer, so stay tuned for a Q&A post session with her next week!