How to be a Respectful Traveller

Updated 20 February 2012

General Tips for Tourists
Dressing like a tourist can be disrespectful to the local culture, cause you to pay more, and it can also make you a target for pickpockets. Here are some tips for traveling abroad. You should also check out reddit and journey women's what to wear where.

How to Blend in Physically

• Clothing. Cargo pants, shorts, halter tops, and sleeveless shirts aren't the norm in many parts of the world. Women who show their legs might get whistles, stares and air kisses. When in doubt cover up.
• Shoes. Ditch the flip flops and Birkenstocks; they’re beachwear. Opt for comfortable dress shoes.
• Nix the guidebook and a camera. Copy the necessary pages of your guidebook and put your camera in a backpack or purse. As for money and ID just take what you need and leave the rest in a safe place. Your passport, valuables, plane tickets, the bulk of your credit cards, and money should be left in the hotel safe. Make a copy of your passport and carry that around with you.

How to Blend in Socially

• Personal space. The personal space bubble is often smaller.
• Greetings. Air kisses, shaking hands, and bowing are common ways to greet people. Learn which ones you should use.
• Time. It may be more flexible than what you're used to.
• History and culture. Make an effort to learn a bit about the country’s history and culture before you go.
• Language. Try to learn a few simple phrases before you go abroad. Most people have a decent grasp of English so there’s no need to shout. If all else fails, try writing things down. People are often very helpful to foreigners.
• Local delicacies. Snake, dog, and wiggly things all might find their way onto your plate. Try it. Don't make comments about how gross or weird it is since many people think eating beef is gross.
• Use public transport. It tends to be cheaper and safer than taxis.
• Cheap prices. Although things might be considerably cheaper than in your home country, keep in mind that salaries might be lower. Don’t say how cheap things are because for those earning money in the local currency they’re not really that cheap.
• Remember the Thumper Rule. Remember you’re a guest. There are going to be some good things and some bad things. No one wants to hear how horrible their country is. If you don't like it, go home.
• More tips. Here are some more tips for travelling abroad. 

Also published in . . .
This article was originally published in Boots N All and has been modified to create this version.

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How to Get Good Teaching Jobs

Updated 16 May 2014

Some people don't think you can get a good job by teaching English but they're out there. Having the right qualifications, experience, connections and luck will help you. There's lots of information out there worth reading on how to get a great job.

Korea's a good example. University jobs in Korea can pay very well and the long vacations (up to 5 months paid vacation!) are fantastic. Here are tips for how to get a university job in Korea. The Middle East is also nice since the salaries are tax free and there are lots of benefits. Find out which other countries have high salaries and good benefits by reading the best countries to teach in.

• Apply to jobs you're under qualified for. Not jobs that you are seriously under qualified for. However, if they want you to have five years experience and you only have four, you might want to apply. Or if they require a masters degree, but you're a semestre away from graduating. If you don't apply there's a 0% chance that you'll get a job. If you do apply at least you have a chance.
• Apply to religious schools. This is a touchy one as there are some schools that are super religious and there are some that are religious just in name. Some require a statement of faith or even a baptismal certificate. These places often get fewer applicants since people can be wary about mixing religion and work. Find out if you are required to participate in any functions, such as chapel. 
• Apply to schools outside big cities. It seems like everyone wants to live in a major city, meaning that if you apply to places outside bigger cities, you may have a better chance of getting the job. 
• Ignore start dates. If you find a school that you like, but you're not available now, send them your CV and let them know when you will be available.
• Have a stellar CV and cover letter. Cover letters are what an employer sees first so if your cover letter gets rejected the employer will never look at your CV. You'd also be surprised how many people can't write a good CV. Spend time on your CV and update it often.
• Nix chain schools. They usually have a high turnover and you will work long hours for little pay. The exception to this would be the British Council and perhaps International House.
• Get teaching qualifications and experience. If you plan on making TEFL a career the more experience and qualifications (BEd, PGCE, PGDE, master degree, or diplomas) you can get the better chance you'll have of getting a high paying teaching positions. If you don't have a TEFL cert, you should look into getting one.
• Share your knowledge. Getting articles published and giving workshops will help. They're nice to put on your CV and you can network at the same time.
• Ask for more. If you've got the experience and qualifications ask for a better salary and more benefits. You have to be willing to negotiate, but most places are willing to help you if you will give their institute a good name and bring in students.Salary's not the only thing: more vacation, better teaching hours, gym membership, or language lessons are just a few benefits you could ask for.
• Connections are key. Teachers leave good jobs and many of them aren't advertised. Instead, they're passed on to people within their network.
• Find a niche. EAP, ESP, teaching young children, exam prep, curriculum design, curriculum review, materials development, language test construction, academic writing, teaching exams prep, medical English, business English, legal English, and English for tourism, are all some examples. 

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Teacher Conferences and Training in Peru

 Updated 21 February 2012

There are plenty of events to go to and you should try to go to a couple of a year. Many teachers are also part of professional affiliations. These may offer newsletters, discounts to training sessions, and will also tell you about upcoming events. If you're going to be in Peru, be sure to check out things to see and do in Peru.

Professional Teaching Associations in Peru

• Asociacion Peruana de Profesores de Ingles
• The British Council’s ELTeCS
• The British Council’s ELTeCS Yahoo group
• IATEFL
• Perú-TESOL
• Peru Teacher Network
• Sociedad de Profesores de Ingles del Peru

Month-long Intensive Certification Courses
Choosing a TEFL course has more info. You can find plenty of resources online, such as The Peace Corps Guide and TEFL Boot Camp. Make sure the course you take has at least 120 hours and 6 hours of teaching practice. Many TEFL certs can now be done completely or mainly online, even the CELTA.

• Bridge Linguatec: Cusco
• Cactus TEFL: Cusco
• EBC: Cusco
• English Abroad: Cusco
• INTESOL International: Cusco
• iTEFL: Arequipa and Cusco
• Language Corps: Cusco
• Maximo Nivel. Read my interview with Maximo Nivel: Cusco
• Britanico offers a part-time DELTA course for its teachers: Lima
• Vive Trujillo: Trujillo

Teaching Conferences

• ADECOPA
• APPI
• Británico
• Camelot
• ICPNA
• Longman
• Macmillan
• Pontifica Universidad Católica del Perú
• Pacificio
• San Marcos
• Santillana
• TESOL-Perú
• Universidad de Cesar Vallejo
• Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola

More Information About Teaching in Peru

• Best Institutes in Peru
• FAQ Peru
• Top Institutes in Lima
• The Ultimate Guide to Teaching in Peru
• The Ultimate Peru List

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How to Deal with Reverse Culture Shock

Updated 20 October 2013

Reverse culture shock happens when you move back to your home country and often is worse than culture shock. Many people realise that living in a foreign country can be difficult but going back home is often harder. When you go back home you expect things to be the same as when you left. However, things change.

Perhaps the most difficult thing to come to terms with is that you have changed. By living in another culture you see things differently than before. You've broadened your horizons and see your country, job, family, and friends in a new light. You may get frustrated with family and friends when they ask you about the country you lived in or that they don't know much about the world. You may miss things from abroad such as transport, local foods, or the people. Knowing about culture shock and what to expect will help you get used to life back home.

From bucultureshock.com

Overcoming Reverse Culture Shock

• Keep in touch with friends and family at home while you are abroad.
• Keep up-to-date with the news from your home country.
• Continue to study the foreign language. 
• Keep in touch with your friends abroad.
• Visit neighbourhoods with people from that country. If you lived in China, head to Chinatown.
• Understand that it takes time to re-adjust.
• Interact with people from that country. Your community college or university might have exchange students. You could try setting up a language exchange.
• You can find more tips in this post at Dave's ESL Cafe.

Ready to Go Abroad Again?
Just because you're home doesn't mean that you can't leave again. 

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