Before Registering For A TEFL Course

Before you spend your hard earned money on a TEFL course, do your research, check the schools accreditation, talk to graduates of the course and ask these 3 questions.

1. What is the length of the course?

If you have no previous EFL teaching experience, then you need an onsite course that is at least 120 hours.  In general the more hours the course offers, the better for you.  If you can get a course with 160 hours then even better.  Also make sure the course includes actual observed teaching practice.  Hands on practice teaching of local students will be extremely valuable in your preparation to be a good teacher.  In fact most schools will not hire teachers with a TEFL certificate that does not include at least 6 hours of practice teaching, and they actually prefer if you have at least 10 hours of practice teaching.

2. Is your course accredited and by whom?

TEFL courses are not uniform in either content or quality.  Any person or institution can offer a TEFL training program without regulation or standardization.  Thus one of the best ways to know that you are enrolling in a respectable TEFL course is to check that the institution is externally validated by a reputable accrediting agency.

3. What is the maximum class size?

A course which I saw a video of recently seemed perfectly happy to show the trainer standing in front of a hundred people with a microphone for their one week “Advanced TEFL Certificate”. Reputable courses will have no more than 12 trainees on one course.  A course with too many students will result in some or all of the students "lost in the crowd" and you will not get the personalized attention you need to be a good teacher.  Make sure the TEFL course focuses on the needs of the students and is not just a TEFL mill that cares only about profits.

Of course this is not an exhaustive list of questions, so don't be shy if you have any questions, be sure and ask them.  The TEFL course you are considering should welcome your questions and should make it easy for you to contact them and should provide you with timely answers to your questions.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a job placement program and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

Teaching English in South Korea

Logan with his fellow trainees

An interview with Logan Austin from the United States who graduated from TEFL Zorritos in September 2015. 

My name is Logan Austin, and I am originally from Hughesville, Missouri, USA. I am currently living and teaching in Busan, South Korea.

I completed my TEFL Certificate course in September of 2015. After the course, I went back home to gather the needed documents to teach in South Korea. In just three months, I had been hired and was in Busan preparing to teach.

For me, experience has been the most rewarding thing about teaching abroad. When I decide to move back to the USA, I want to be a high school teacher; so gaining teaching experience while traveling and experiencing different cultures is perfect for me. South Korea is a very modern country, but everything is still so different from the U.S. Living abroad helps you to adapt to different policies, foods, and lifestyles. I think it has really helped me grow as a person.

The most challenging thing is just the fact that everything is different. For me, it was: a new job, new friends, new food, new house, new culture, new language, and even a new way of getting from one place to another. At one point this year, it was really overwhelming; but I got through it and focused on the positive changes that I enjoyed.

Logan in a Peer Teaching session

In my school, the textbooks take up the majority of the class time, but everyday I still use things that I learned in my course. Before the course, I had no idea how to communicate to students who don’t speak English as their first language. Every day, I use many techniques that I learned from Ellie. The course also taught me how to teach material through interactive activities. This has helped me a lot because kindergarteners have to be active. The course also gave me confidence in my profession. I have knowledge that I learned from someone who taught many years of ESL. This year would have been much harder without that knowledge.

I would just say that teaching is going to take up a lot of your time. Teaching abroad is a great opportunity to see the world, but the work is a big part of your time. If you are a prepared and confident teacher, your experience abroad will be more rewarding.

I would like to teach somewhere in South America next. Right now I am applying for jobs in Chile and Uruguay.

TEFL Zorritos was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned so much, but also, I genuinely had a lot of fun. The beach in Zorritos is the best learning environment.

Read more of TEFL Zorritos’ Success Stories on our website or contact us about applying to enroll.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better? Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our outdoor beachfront training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food. Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost! And a job placement program in Peru including positions with a work visa, paid holidays, health insurance and other incredible benefits. 

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!

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Hosting Visitors in Peru

One of the perks of living abroad in Peru is having friends and family come and visit you. It always feels like a blessing when people choose to travel from another country to spend time with you and visit Peru at the same time, so in order to ensure that this is a positive experience for everyone involved, here are a few tips:

IT’S ALL ABOUT PREPARATION

Let your visitors know ahead of time what they should pack and how much to bring with them; I still have flashbacks of lugging my Mum’s massive red suitcase on her first trip as we were “backpacking” around South America. As uncomfortable and impractical as it was to travel with, it should be acknowledged that she did fill it with artesanias, supporting the local communities and artesanos along the way. Most importantly though, make sure your future visitors are well informed about the micro-climates in Peru; the heat and mosquitos, the cold and the altitude that they will encounter along the way. The best advice you can give them is not to bring flashy jewelry, clothes or valuable personal possessions that they would be too upset about being separated from. There are greater disparities between people who are wealthy and people who have very little here, which means higher rates of petty crimes and theft.

KNOWLEDGE IS EVERYTHING

Take extra precautions and don’t assume that your visitors are as street-wise as you are, as you have already gained valuable knowledge from living here. Once again it was my Mum who filled her coin purse with a sizable amount of cash in Cuzco, planning to splurge it at the local market. Unfortunately though, she had it precariously tucked into the back pocket of her jeans, and by the time we got to Pisac someone on the bus had already taken possession of it. So make sure your guests are informed about the risks and take extra precautions, for example in taxis, don’t keep your handbag or even all your luggage next to you, particularly coming out of the airport as someone can stick their hand in the vehicle and separate you from it very quickly. For the majority of visitors to Peru their first stop is Lima and inevitably the airport, so if you can’t pick them up yourself make sure you have a safe taxi waiting for them inside the terminal, as the airport is notorious for robberies and sadly many involve taxi drivers. On a lighter note, if it’s your guest’s first trip to a Latin country let them know about the cultural differences such as kissing someone on the cheek as oppose to shaking their hand when you are first introduced or see one another, as this is the common way of greeting people here.

Chivay, a village in the Colca Canyon

PROVINCIAL AREAS

Lima is a modern city, however once you step into the provincial areas there is a lack of access to many basic things so prepare yourself and your visitors before you get there. Things to keep in mind are the lack of ATM’s (and currency exchanges), modern supermarkets, pharmacies (small ones are run out of people’s houses but they are not fully stocked with all medications) and in general everything will be much slower and more relaxed. Due to the informal public transport systems waiting times can be difficult to estimate, so don’t make travel plans that rely on a tight schedule and easy connections. When people come to visit the north of Peru I always provide them with the precautions they need to take to avoid contracting dengue, which is basically to avoid getting bitten by mosquitos. This means always using a good quality repellent, mosquito coils and always sleeping with a mosquito net. Make sure you hotel room has a mosquito net and a fan, especially during the summer. Although less noticeable in affluent parts of Lima, access to water is a daily struggle for many people here so be super conscious about conserving it and encourage your visitors to do the same; particularly in provincial areas where water is only delivered every few days. We should really be like this the world over as it is becoming our most valuable resource and scarcer every day.

TRANSALATOR & GUIDE

Unless your guests speak Spanish well, you will find yourself in the role of translator, from the big conversations with all of the friends and family you introduce them to, to all of the small daily tasks such as buying artesanias in a market or checking in to a hotel. It is exhausting, so be prepared to really go out of your way to make your visitors feel comfortable by navigating this language barrier for them. As always when someone comes to visit you, especially if they are new to your city or town, it is up to you to be the tour guide and show them all the wonderful places your home has to offer. This is even more the case when you host visitors in Peru, albeit a temporary home you are still the knowledgeable one and a source of information. So don’t just take them to the places that are listed in the tour guide, make the most of your insider’s knowledge and take them to the little spots that make this place special for you.

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About the author: Ellie Ryan is an Aussie expat working and living in Peru. She is the Founder of TEFL Zorritos, a TEFL training institute that trains people to become English language teachers and places them in positions in Peru and abroad. 

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Teaching English in Peru - Part 4

An interview with Drew Peterson from the United States who graduated from TEFL Zorritos in August 2016.

1. 

   Drew with his fellow trainees
   What is your name, age, where are you from originally and where are you currently living?

My name is Drew Peterson. I am 26 years old and I am from the United States of America. I was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, which is close to Nashville the capital. Currently, I am living in Salamanca, Lima, Peru.

2. When did you successfully complete your TEFL Certificate course and what have you been doing since then? Please tell us about who and where you have been teaching.

I completed my TEFL program with TEFL Zorritos in August of 2016. Since then I moved back to Lima. I took some time to get settled in but quickly started teaching at Euroidiomas at the Camacho location which is right in front of the University of Lima and Jockey Plaza. It’s great because it’s within 15 minutes walking distance of where I live plus it is a beautiful institute.

At the moment I am teaching a wide range of student populations and topics. I teach an advanced general class to adults and I do test preparation for an adolescent. Then on the weekends I teach two children’s classes. The ages range from 7 to 10 years old. The most interesting class I teach is a pronunciation workshop. It is just two hours of drills, phonemes, and the international phonetic alphabet. I totally nerd out on it! The greatest thing is it is all at one location so organizing my schedule is easy. And of course I have a few privates here and there.

Living in Salamanca has a pretty low cost of living. I only have to work around 20 hours a week to cover my expenses. That means I spend a lot of time training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, studying/practicing my Spanish, hanging out with my friends and roommates, exploring the city, and eating and learning how to cook Peruvian food (mainly eating of course) (the street food in Salamanca is the bomb).

3. 

   Enjoying some of the local coconuts
   What has been the most rewarding thing about teaching English abroad?

I came here with the mission to find out if I enjoy teaching languages and so far I have been enjoying every minute. It’s amazing spending everyday with co-workers and students who enjoy languages and then getting to share your knowledge about them between each other. I believe that mutual exchange is what is most enjoyable for me. Because believe it or not you will learn from your students about English, languages, Peru, and life.

4. What has been the most challenging thing about teaching English abroad?

The lack of resources is always difficult. Being a child of the technology age, it was difficult to adjust. Not having things such as internet at work, not having a copy machine, and not having access to basic office supplies at work was very foreign to me in the beginning.

Another big difficulty was creating context for my students when explaining grammar and vocabulary. I had to really learn to reference Lima as oppose to some part of my life in Tennessee. Explaining words/phrases such as central heating, or jury are difficult because neither of those things exist here in Lima. The climate is temperate so very few people have central heating and they use judges instead of juries.

5. How have the skills you learned in your TEFL course helped you so far?

The top 2 skills are definitely learning to teach grammar, and learning the difference between teaching different ages. I was very nervous about learning and teaching grammar (because I was horrible at it in my childhood) but after TEFL Zorritos it has become one of my favorite parts of English teaching. As you all read above I teach all age groups. I learned different approaches both in Zorritos with Ellie and in the advanced courses that are offered. The approaches teach you what type of material the students are going to be able to absorb depending on their developmental level, how to create authentic learning experiences, and the use of activities such as the use of routines, classroom set up, story telling, songs, puppets, art activates, etc. I would be lost teaching youth and adolescents without that knowledge.

6. 

   Drew with his fellow teachers & students
   Do you have any advice for people thinking about taking the plunge into the world of TEFL?

Fall in love with languages and new experiences. You are going to be teaching a language so you better like it! Being a language learner myself has made my experience 10 times more enjoyable for my students and myself. It has given me the ability to use those experiences to build engagement with my students and to bring them into my lessons.

Living abroad I believe could be summed up into the two words “new experiences and challenges.” I only speak my native language half the time I am awake during the day. I shop at a market and a bakery instead of a grocery store. I even had to relearn how to buy fruit, bread, meat, and most of the other food groups. The proportions and when I eat my food has changed. Greetings are different and given more importance in Peru. A more relaxed attitude about time and formality is been something I quite enjoy yet was difficult to adjust to. But all of these differences have been mostly a good challenge, interesting, or fun! So when moving abroad be open!

Another random tip I would give about moving abroad is to continue your hobbies. It really helps build a social circle quickly.

7. What are your plans for the future?

My plans are pretty open. I plan on staying in Peru for another year or two and continue teaching English as well as improving my Peruvian cooking skills!

Read more of TEFL Zorritos’ Success Stories on our website or contact us about applying to enroll.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better? Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our outdoor beachfront training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food. Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost! And a job placement program in Peru including positions with a work visa, paid holidays, health insurance and other incredible benefits. 

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!

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A Positive Expat Tale About Peru

Sadly, expat forums, groups and websites are often filled with cautionary tales of negative experiences in Peru; getting robbed by taxi drivers or thieves on the street or being cheated out of money by locals. However, when we have a decidedly positive experience here we are not as inspired to take to the social networks about it. This article is about one of my past TEFL trainees, who for the purpose of this article we’ll call Cindy. Cindy had a stroke of good luck and positive karma involving locals and I promised her that if this story had a happy ending, I would share it with our readers, so here it is.

Cindy is an ex-horse-riding instructor from New York who has come to Peru with her Peruvian husband and crew of young children to take a TEFL course. Her idea is to get qualified, gain some experience and then step into the world of English teaching in order to be able to live in Peru long-term. She speaks some basic Spanish and each day she seems to discover something new about this little provincial town which makes her smile; her positivity is quite inspiring. Due to an important meeting, Cindy needed to fly back to New York so she travelled across the border to fly from Guayaquil to Quito and then on to JFK. The whole trip went smoothly which was a relief as it was the first time she’d travelled alone in South America, and her time schedule was so tight that it left no room for error; so many things could have gone wrong but they didn’t. On the way home she decided to buy a new laptop; although she wasn’t very computer literate she was two weeks into a course which required using one every day so it was definitely a necessity. When Cindy finally arrived in Zorritos she quickly hopped off the bus, excited to see her husband and girls again, and without realizing it left the bag with her laptop and her iPad on the seat of the bus.

By the time Cindy realized what she had done the bus had already left, so she quickly hailed a taxi and made the forty-five minute trip to Mancora, which was the bus’ next stop. Unfortunately, by the time they’d arrived the bus had already continued on its way, so they explained to the man in the office, Jorge, what had happened. Jorge made a call to the bus attendant and she confirmed that the bag was on the seat, but didn’t mention what was inside. So the next day as Cindy was working away in her TEFL course, her husband Santiago went back to the Cifa office in Mancora, only to be told that the attendant who had found it was now in Tumbes and that he should come back in the afternoon. He spent the morning killing time, however when he returned to the office Jorge told him that there had been some misunderstanding and the bag was actually now in Tumbes. He began to feel suspicious and felt that he was getting the run around and said “If you don’t have it, just tell me, don’t play games.” Jorge, however, assured Santiago that it wasn’t a game and that if they hadn’t wanted to return the bag they would have told him the in the beginning. So Santiago put his trust in Jorge’s words and caught another bus back up to Tumbes which was an hour and a half away. When he arrived at Cifa’s office he almost couldn’t believe his luck when they handed over the grey zip-up bag containing his wife’s brand new laptop and iPad.

Cindy returned to her class the next day and amazed her classmates with the story; they were all foreigners who had lived or traveled in Peru and the majority doubted that her possessions would be returned to her in such an honest manner. Not only was this outcome dependent upon the honesty of Jorge in the Cifa office, but also upon the attendant who had originally found the bag and every other employee that had come into contact with the bag throughout its long journey.

The internet has made the whole world more connected and allowed us to communicate in a way that was undreamed of in the past, however it is all too often an infinite space which can be filled with negative stories and tales. Without a doubt, it is important to be conscious of your personal security in Peru, but to also remember that it is a huge country filled with good honest people too, just like the countries we’ve all come from.

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About the author: Ellie Ryan is an Aussie expat working and living in Peru. She is the Founder of TEFL Zorritos, a TEFL training institute which trains people to become English language teachers and places them in positions in Peru and abroad. 

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TEFL & Teaching Abroad

For those wishing to travel the world and live abroad one of the best options is teaching English. It allows you to travel to an array of countries and have a truly authentic cultural experience, by being able to live in the local community and give something back through teaching English. An essential requirement to teach English is a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate. A Bachelor degree (in whatever area) is also an advantage as it is a requirement in some countries. In Peru and South America though, a TEFL Certificate is the most important requirement. A TEFL Certificate is an internationally recognized and accepted qualification to teach English as a second or foreign language. It means you will be able to teach in China, Italy, Mexico and even back home in the United States or Australia.

TEFL courses are also offered on-line, however they are not ideal, as it is a highly intensive course which requires personal interaction. A TEFL course should be a 120 hour face to face course, delivered over 4 weeks, and include a minimum of six hours of teaching practice of local students, although up to ten hours is ideal. Your TEFL course should include an academic component and cover EFL methodologies, how to teach the different skill areas (reading, writing, speaking, listening & grammar), classroom management, a basic overview of English grammar, lesson planning, preparation for international exams, demonstration lessons and peer teaching. The end of the course should also include preparation for job interviews and an overview of EFL teaching opportunities worldwide. The rest of the course should be dedicated to lesson planning for the teaching practice classes you deliver to local students in the evenings, which are observed and assessed by your TEFL trainer.

You can take a TEFL course in almost any country in the world; however it is recommended that you study outside of your country, in a non-English speaking country. Primarily this will allow you to teach non-native speakers in your practice classes, allowing you to gain richest experience possible. Secondly, studying TEFL should also be a cultural experience for you, so challenge yourself to take the course abroad, live in a new country for a month and learn about the local culture and people while you are getting qualified. As TEFL is an unregulated industry it’s important to make sure that your course is accredited and that your provider provides guaranteed teaching positions or job placement assistance upon graduation. Be sure to do your research, ask your TEFL provider to answer all your queries before you enroll and read the testimonials from their graduates to be sure it’s the right course for you.

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About the Author: Ellie Ryan is a TEFL trainer and teacher who has spent many years living and teaching in South America. She is the Founder of TEFL Zorritos, a TEFL training institute in the far north of Peru, where she trains teachers & places them in positions in Peru and abroad.

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What You Need To Know Before Coming To Peru

Peru is an incredible country to visit, so in order to make sure your trip is as pleasurable as possible, here are some insider tips about what to pack, what to leave at home and what to expect once you’re here.

EVER PRECIOUS WATER 

Firstly, you mustn’t drink the water here; stay on the safe side and buy bottled water wherever you go. When you drink the refresco that comes with your menu or order a jugo from a cafe, it will be made with boiled water which is generally not a big issue. All the same, you should always keep some stomach medicine on hand because you will inevitably get a small, or big, bout of Peruvian belly at some point. Water scarcity is also a huge issue and a daily struggle for many Peruvians, so be considerate of this and conserve water as much as you can, particularly in provincial areas or outlying parts of Lima where water is only delivered every few days. If you’re in a small town be sure to ask what the situation is and if hot water is very important to you, confirm that your hostel or hotel definitely has it. Particularly in parts of Peru with a warmer climate, the majority of houses and hostels do not have hot water as it’s not considered a necessity. However saying that, you can also be caught off-guard with hot water in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa so to avoid any problems check the water temperature when you first inspect the room.

LEAVE THE BLING AT HOME

Peru, like many South American countries, has a huge disparity between the wealthy and the poor and unfortunately this means higher levels of petty crime. As a general rule it is best not to bring anything with you that you would be too upset to lose of possession of, such as expensive electronics or accessories. It is also a good to idea to dress and act respectfully in order to avoid drawing unwanted attention to yourself, so leave the gold jewelry and expensive clothes at home.

  

TOILET ETIQUETTE

Many establishments don’t provide toilet paper and well equipped public toilets are the exception and not the rule in Peru. So be sure to take toilet paper anywhere and everywhere you go, the best thing is to keep a roll handy in your daypack or handbag. If you’re having difficulty finding a public toilet you can always ask in a restaurant or a bar if you can use their bathroom and for S/1 they will allow you to. Once you make it to a bathroom you may notice a sign advising you not to flush your toilet paper down the toilet, and to put it in the rubbish bin provided. This is the case not only in Peru but across South America, in all toilets, public and private. And last but not least, if you’re finicky about hygiene, carry antibacterial gel with you because soap is even rarer than toilet paper is.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Small ailments generally don’t require a trip to a doctor in this corner of the world; you can head to your local pharmacy or botica (an informal pharmacy, at times run out of the front of someone’s house) as a lot of prescription medicine is sold over the counter here. Outside of Lima it’s difficult to find beauty and personal care items (including vitamin supplements), so be sure to stock up on your favorite brands before you get on the plane.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY

The national currency is soles and although some places may accept dollars, it is not to be assumed that this is the case everywhere so you are best to change your money. Contrary to what some expat forums may state, unless you are in the far north of Peru and close to the Ecuadorian border, the majority of people don’t accept dollars and if they do you will be given a low rate. It’s also important to be aware of fake currency, both in dollars and soles, so it’s a good idea to learn how to check if a bill is the real deal. Make an effort to pay with smaller bills and change your money in a casa de cambio as oppose to on the street. Outside of major cities many places only accept cash and there will be limited access to ATMs, particularly in small provincial towns, so plan your cash flow in advance.

Peru will undoubtedly amaze and inspire you and to make the most of your stay, be well prepared and do a little research about Peru before you come. It’s also highly recommended to try to arrive with at least some basic Spanish, as it will help to facilitate your everyday transactions and make the experience even richer by allowing you to communicate with locals.

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About the author: Ellie Ryan is an Aussie expat working and living in Peru. She is the Founder of TEFL Zorritos, a TEFL training institute which trains people to become English language teachers and places them in positions in Peru and abroad.  _______________________________________________________________

Culture Shock When Living Abroad in Peru

Culture shock defines itself as a feeling of disorientation when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life, often when travelling or living in a foreign country, and it can be an inevitable part of living abroad. Its effects are limited for short-term travelers who are simply passing through, however if you decide to stay and live in a foreign country, it can be a small challenge that you face on a daily basis. Lima, the main arrival point for most expats and probably the most popular destination for expats to live in, can be overwhelming to say the least. The moment you step off the plane you are confronted by the noise, traffic, pollution and the generally chaotic nature that defines most South American cities. Here are some simple tips to help you adapt and orientate yourself in order to reduce the effect of culture shock on your wonderful new life in Peru:

Learn Spanish

Learn Spanish and practice it every opportunity you get. Not only are Peruvians very receptive to you attempting to communicate in their language, it is also the key to connecting to and becoming a part of the local community. Even though struggling to navigate your way through a new language can be daunting, it is a vital step in the process of learning to not only survive but really enjoy life here. It will make daily life much less stressful and easier to navigate and allow you to develop new relationships with everyone from your neighbours to the cute guy on the bus.

Community

Become a part of your local community and make an effort to make friends with the locals. Go to local restaurants and bars and discover the culture that Peruvians enjoy; give your Spanish a work out and ask new friends and acquaintances for their personal recommendations, as a local’s tip is worth its weight in gold. It’s great to take pleasure in the familiarity and ease of company of fellow expats, but if they are the only people in your social circle you are limiting the possibilities of your experience abroad, not to mention not doing your Spanish any favours.

Street Smart

Get street smart and avoid running into problems. Crime is a problem in Peru so it’s best to accept the reality of the situation, be aware of the risks and practice caution. When travelling to any country with higher rates of poverty than your home country, it’s always wise to avoid calling attention to yourself by using flashy jewellery, expensive clothing and accessories. Inform yourself of risks and dangers so as to avoid them; only catch taxis which are registered and be sure to agree on the price before getting in, don’t pay for taxi fares with big notes as they may be switched for fake currency and if you feel vulnerable in a taxi call a friend during the journey telling them where you are and the number of the driver. Small things like this can make a difference and knowledge is key to avoid being caught out as a naive foreigner.

Educate Yourself

Educate yourself about culture and politics; make an effort to keep up to date with the local and national news so that you know what’s happening in Peru. Gain some knowledge about recent history and how Peru has developed, as it’s easier to not be judgmental when you have more of an understanding of why things happen and how the country has grown and developed over time.

Leave Your Expectations At The Door

Don’t expect things to work in the same way as they do in your home country nor should you judge Peru by comparing it to where what you’re used to. These unrealistic expectations will guarantee disappointment and limit your opportunities to try something new. Patience, understanding, flexibility and a little empathy will get you a long way and help you to be open to everything being completely and delightfully different.

Open Mind

And last but certainly not least, keep an open mind and an understanding heart. Always remember that you have chosen to leave the relative comfort of your home country, and you should therefore leave all of your expectations back home so that you can truly embrace all of the new experiences that life here will bring you. 
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About the author: Ellie Ryan is an Aussie expat working and living in Peru. She is the Founder of TEFL Zorritos, a TEFL training institute which trains people to become English language teachers and places them in positions in Peru and abroad.

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Living In The Developing World In Peru

Once you choose to live abroad in Peru one of the main questions you will be faced with from family and friends is to explain why. You can expound as much as you like about the culture and lifestyle, the people and food, nevertheless it will often come down to justifying why you choose to live in the developing world as oppose to the relative comfort of your first world home country. There are many positive reasons that motivate and inspire people to call Peru their home, so here are a few of mine, which as an expat in Peru you may be able to relate to.

Housing Affordability

Surprisingly enough, Peru offers access to affordable housing, a fundamental basic human right which is slowly disappearing back home in Australia. Coming from a country which has seen a 20% rise in the cost of houses in the last two years, which subsequently means inflated and often unaffordable rental prices, access to a reasonably priced rental property relative to income is not just a luxury but a necessity. Living in a small provincial town I have sacrificed small luxuries such as running hot water (although I live in a climate of eternal summer) and shopping at a modern supermarket, however I appreciate having access to housing which doesn’t force me to work like a slave just to pay the rent.

Lifestyle

Australia is known as ‘The Lucky Country’, a title it deserves due to it’s natural beauty, resources and the opportunities that it offers its inhabitants. However, it is also one of the most expensive countries in the world and the cost of everyday items from coffee to clothes is constantly increasing. When we’re not working hard Aussies are famous for playing hard, however this is an expensive luxury which is becoming less and less accessible. A couple of glasses of wine in a bar, followed by take-away and a taxi home will easily set you back $100, so we are often sacrificing our lifestyle because of the outrageous cost. One of the things I most value about life in the north of Peru is how easy and relatively inexpensive it is to relax in my free time. We go to the beach and the pool, eat ceviche and share a cold beer with friends without breaking the bank, and this ability to easily and affordably enjoy ourselves has a positive effect on the overall lifestyle one can enjoy. It’s certainly simplicity over grandeur, yet the simple things in life can often be the most pleasurable.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Peruvians, and South Americans in general, are incredibly industrious and inventive and I am consistently impressed by their ability to survive and prosper despite the lack of support and services from their government. Peru is filled with entrepreneurs and it allows its lucky expats to endeavor to do the same. A lack of regulations and the enforcement of laws undoubtedly has negative repercussions, however there is also a positive side as a less regulated society allows people the opportunity to think outside the box and start their own businesses, keeping the entrepreneurial spirit alive.

Life is for Living

Not only Peruvians, but latinos in general are famous for knowing how to appreciate life and seek the simple pleasures such as spending time with family and friends, eating well, dancing and laughing. Peruvians work long hours and many face a daily struggle to keep their head above water, however when they have the opportunity to relax, to celebrate a special occasion or festival or to just enjoy a beer and share a laugh, they relish it. Life here can be challenging but the reward is being part of a society where people live and breathe their culture and history.

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About the author: Ellie Ryan is an Aussie expat working and living in Peru. She is the Founder of TEFL Zorritos, a TEFL training institute which trains people to become English language teachers and places them in positions in Peru and abroad. 

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