40 GENERAL INFORMATION
WORKING IN COLOMBIA
Many foreigners fall in love with Colombia and want to move here. This is a very
difficult task to accomplish unless you have an independent source of income
or are wealthy. The unemployment rate is high and there are many qualified,
but unemployed Colombians. The education system is very strong and produces
many professionals. Most foreigners who are successful in finding employment
do it the following ways.
TEACHING ENGLISH
Many foreigners secure employment teaching English at institutes and through
private lessons in different cities throughout Colombia. If you take the intensive
one-month course and get a Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching
(CELTA), your chances of getting a position at an institute improve greatly. This
course is offered by the British Council throughout the world and in Bogotá.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
There are several international schools throughout Colombia. The best way to
attain a teaching or school administrative position at an international school is
through an international teaching job fair. Several organizations host fairs
throughout the world every year. Most positions require educators to have
certificates in teaching specialties. There are four main international teaching
fair organizers. Please note that these agencies require certification to attend.
University of Northern Iowa
This is a Midwestern fair that has the most Colombian schools in attendance. It
takes place every year in early February. Ten schools from regions throughout
Colombia attended the 2013 fair. UNI is known for being a good service to use to
break into the international teaching field for young and new teachers.
(www.uni.edu/placement/overseas).