CURRENT MISSION

To make people smile

ABOUT ME

Well, I`m new to couchsurfing and it`s going well so far. I love to travel but am really looking forward to spending a year here in Medellin to learn spanish and not live out of a bag for a bit! I'm open minded about absolutely everything...except cushions...I can't bear sequins. hehe.

PHILOSOPHY

Hmm...well my New Year's Resolutions are: Say your name loud and proud (thanks Ryan), Be who you want to be because at the end of the day you only answer to yourself so live your own moral code...and make sure it's a good one! Stand up and be counted and be a happy influence on people's lives.

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Host couchsurfers. I will also go to meetings in Medellin and hopefully use peoples` couches when I next travel.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Good : )

兴趣

• working out
• traveling
• coding
• working visa

音乐、电影和书籍

I really like Greek mythology, trashy romance, political stuff and fantasy. Also the classics...Wuthering Heights etc.

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

There was this amazing spaghetti bolognaise one time...really...and I made it.

教，学，和分享

Tourist Visas-
Renew them monthly at the DAS office in Belen. I`ve been twice and the process has been really easy and fairly quick but i think it depends on timing etc. Tips:
1) Be nice and friendly- the women who work there seem scary but actually they`re really funny so smile and it will go a long way.
2) You have to wear long trousers, shorts arent accepted.
3) The office is open 2-5pm not in the morning as it says on the internet.
4) You need: passport, proof of onward travel, 2 copies of your entry vias, 2 copies of the picture bit of your passport, 4 passport photos. Also the proof of payment (63,800 pesos) from the bank...there`s one on av poblado next to the Strada complex between oviedo and parque poblado...its green and white cant remaber the name. Then the form they give you which needs your phone number, address and a name of a Colombian (!?)
5) Some people have to go back and collect their visa in 8 days but both times for me its been done there and then.
6) If you`re doing another renew and you were at the same DAS office before you just need you passport 1 photocopy of the picture page and the copy of your payment receipt from the bank. If you registered at another office for your previous renewal however you need all the stuff from point 4.

I have seen people get through without their proof of onward travel however by being really polite so it is possible! Now...I wouldnt recommend this but my Argentinian friends said the worst that can happen if you stay illegally is Immigration gives you some hassle and you pay 200,000pesos fine. And thats the same if you overstay for 1 day or 6 months. Therefore it could work out cheaper than renewing every month...I wouldnt risk it though! And my Argentinian friends havent actually tried to leave yet...if anyone knows if this is true let me know!!

Info about teaching here...
1) You definitely dont need a ESL certificate to work here. If you decide to get one though get a TESOL or CELTA one though...for example if you want to work in asia.

2) I found work really easily in Medellin. Think Bogota is even easier. There arent many native speakers here. There are 2 terms, Calendar A and B. Calendar B schools are recruiting now, April, for a June start so i`d apply now if you`re interested. I know EAFIT University and Berlitz Institute are looking for people. They`ll both also sort out your work visa for you. It costs 200dollars, you need some certificates from your place of employment- they`ll file some papers in Bogota and then you need to leave the country to get the work visa (ie the colombia embassy in Quito or wherever). If you want a job in a school you`ll receive about 1000usd a month and holidays...also maybe travel and accommodation allowance. Always ask, they`re flexible. Schools like Marymount are used to employing foreigners. If you`re on a tourist visa you can renew it for upto 6 months in any 12 month period then no more... a work visa lets you stay for 12 months and includes health insurance. Some of the more casual institutes pay cash in hand so you could work for them without work visas.

3) French is quite popular here as well so if you speak it you could teach that too. Colombo Americano is another big employer that is always recruiting.

Hope this helps.

我游览过的国家

Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

我居住过的国家

Colombia, United Kingdom

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