The Ecuador Insider

I took the leap and moved to Latin America about 5 years ago. I love it here. Don’t regret my decision one bit, but there are a few things I miss about life in the USA. As I finish up a 2 week vacation here in the States visiting my parents I thought I’d mention it.

9. Walmart: God I love that place, you know what they say… if it’s not in Walmart, it probably doesn’t exist. Could there be anything better for consumers in the world today? In Ecuador there are some big box stores, but not as good as Walmart.

8. Driving: I have gone almost 2 straight years without driving even once…in Ecuador, there are so many public transportation options (and cheap!) that driving really is not necessary, even in the countryside. But it is nice to get behind the wheel once in a while.

7. Baby back ribs: Need I say more? They are not that easy to find in Ecuador, you know, the tender ones where the meat falls right off the bone (a specialty here where my parents live in Montana).

6. Peanut Butter: You can find it in Ecuador, but it just tastes better in the States. Not to mention, I thoroughly miss Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

5. Oatmeal cookies: South Americans haven’t really figured this one out yet.

4. Public Golf Courses: The courses in Ecuador (all I have found) are private, you need to know somebody that’s a member to play. Nuts.

3. Snow Skiing: Yes, you can see snow on the tops of some mountains in Ecuador but there is no way to ski it. The nearest places to ski are in Chile and Argentina.

2. The ketchup: the ketchup in Ecuador is almost sweet and a little watery…I love that thick, Heinz any day.

1. American sports, Football, Baseball, Basketball: You can watch games these days in Ecuador streamed online for free at sites like justin.tv , but I still miss going to the NFL, MLB and NBA games. Down here in South America the three top sports are soccer, soccer and soccer.

But all in all, I’m still very glad I made the leap!

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I mean, come on…

What could be better than working 12 hours a week with summers off, teaching a subject you love, hanging out with kids, job security, and all with a decent salary and benefits?

I’ve always thought college profs live the life…

Now in the United States to be a college professor, you usually need a doctor’s degree or at least a masters. You need certifications and other requirements often out of reach for most people.

However, in Ecuador it is much easier to get a university teaching job, and many foreigners do.

The job is the same, the hours are the same as the States, but the salary is less, usually starting around $15 an hour in the cities and it goes up from there…but remember that cost of living in Ecuador is also much less.

Now, many Ecuadorians “look up” to foreigners… and you…being an established pro in your field from abroad… could stand out.

Many universities in Ecuador are hard pressed to find knowledgeable pros in specialized areas who can teach their subject in English. For example, if your area of expertise revolves around exam preparation, you might be alloted to solely assist the students in their CLEP Test Prep or for other exams.

That’s where you come in.

Now I am not just talking about teaching English (arrgh), but actually teaching your area of expertise to local kids.

The only requirement for the teaching jobs is basically knowledge of the subject area. I have guest-taught in several universities in Ecuador, and I have seen young teachers and old, educated and not so educated…all across the board.

In order to get the teaching jobs, the easiest way in is to know someone who works at the University… a teacher or administrator who can put a good word in for you.

The best way to meet people who work at universities is to take an adult-ed class at a University. Most of the universities down here have them. A more innovative way would be to go to the free courses the chamber of commerce usually offers. Or try to attend a local church, another good place to meet people.

If you don’t know anyone, you could go straight to the university with your resume and drop it off. If you do that, try not to just leave it with the secretary. Do your homework beforehand and actually ask to see a particular school administrator and hand it to them personally.

Suerte! School’s in session!

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Manta is a beautiful city right in the middle of the Ecuador coastline. And a personal fav of mine for both investing and living…nice, temperate climate, things to do, nice beaches in all directions…and still with a small town feel…

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This is a delicious must-try typical Ecuadorian dish! A “Bolon de queso” is a mashed ball of plantains and cheese and is usually eaten for breakfast in Ecuador along with fresh juice and eggs.

These “bolones” also come with ham and other interesting flavors…amazing!

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