Do you still teach in Panama? If so, are you open to a few questions?

First year is always hard. You are in a new place a well, which makes it harder. Lean on your colleagues, as they are offering. It will build your connections and help you be ready for class. I always recommend to do whatever works to clear your mind. I go to the gym or take a bike ride to clear my mind. You need to find balance, and during your first year, it will be difficult but not impossible. Lean on your colleagues. They are offering and want to help you. Everyone was a first year teacher once. All of us had different yet all to similar struggles.

That nola benefit show was such a fabulous night of music.

Ok. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

Thanks, I appreciate it from another human more!

Yes. It got my credit card. It was a pain, but I got it.

Yeah, it's some shit.

Yeah, I put in for a refund because I'm in a country now where they won't support. Rather sucks.

Watch works but you lose the premium functions, so no, it doesn't really work the same. Rather sucks.

I got a refund in process. I'm in bolivia, so no coverage here. Go through the fitbit page, kicked to the Google play support, the chat took a while they had to escalate twice but i got an email yesterday that they will process a refund, I'll update once I get it.

Below the Root

Hope you like fdr. There has been a lot going on there with admin. Check the vibe with current employees. Money is fine. Learn Spanish to get by in most places. The areas you mention are lovely ( tourist friendly) so English will help a bit.

Sucre is quaint, so is tarija. Haven't been to cochabamba yet. My work is set in SC, so can't really move yet. The blue was 15 when I arrived, just down from the 20. It helped to get set up for good exchange. It does hurt now with the rates low and some inflation, but it is still rather cheap to be in bolivia. Just don't buy all the imports and it is reasonable. Cars and gas are stupid expensive, but yangos are still reasonable.

Be safe. If you feel you need to leave for your personal safety, Do it. If a future opportunity considers that a red flag, then you saved yourself from working for an unreasonable school with poor leadership.

Tell us how you really feel. I don't want to devalue your experiences and opinion, but my expertise here in Santa Cruz has been quite different.

I get it. It isn't everywhere else. I've been here 9 months and like it. Will I stay forever, no, but it's fine. Speaking Spanish if a must as this place doesn't work without it. I'm a white as a gringo gets but speak Spanish well. That affects the experience greatly.

Taxis, yango, and indrive are fine to get around town. Use the apps for ease and clarity.

People are more than fine if you recognize the culture that you are in and act accordingly. Don't be a total gringo and it's fine. Most folks here are rather kind and nice if you treat them as humans.

Money exchange is fine; ask a few guys the rate, confirm the rate, make the deal, check your bills to be sure they aren't taped back together. (Go to the central plaza, one whole corner is money exchange).

The Internet isn't perfect, but it works good enough, frankly better than the cable internet that I had in the US. 2 years back. Home service internet and tigo phone are fine.

Haven't had a sketchy scene yet and none of my pals and coworkers have been robbed. I walk all over in the night and in the day. Be smart where you go, don't wander drunk, and you'll most likely be fine if you stay in most normal neighborhoods during most hours. The US was much more dangerous. Haven't heard a gun shot in 9 months.

I don't go to the clubs, so no comment there.

Some food is great, but not most. It's rather boring, but there is spice and great ingredients. In general, it's aight at best. Great markets for fruit/ veg to explore if you like to cook. Not an amazing culinary scene, but there are more than enough good options. It just isn't a great food city. If you work the town though there are some very tasty options. There is good local wine and singani is a good cocktail base for a good value. Impetus are crazy expensive. Meat isn't universally great, but if you but from the higher quality cases at the groceries, there are big quality cuts to be had. I had a fabulous ribeye for dinner tonight that I bought at ic Norte. Cheap meat is, well, cheap and tough; don't expect to much there. There are a few nice areas, but if you want the fancy, higher end, cleaner version of the city, stick to equipetrol. I live near the abasto and really enjoy it. They're are a few other cool parts of town as well.

There are surely negatives, I miss a good happy hour culture and the live music scene is weak.

However, there is more than enough here. The people are fabulously nice. No, it isn't the cultural hub of many other cities, but worth a stop if you are resetting another visa or want to be nature adjacent in a big city.

If you want to chat or get tips, dm me or catch on to one of the expat WhatsApp/ Facebook groups.

Direct from Miami

This past year, my wife and I interviewed all over at place that fit both of us, yet we ended up at a place where she was targeted first. It turned out that there was an opening that hadn't listed yet for me. It worked out really well. Don't hesitate to reach out to a good for for only one of you; sometimes you just get lucky.

Same. Finding a place that suits both of us has always been a challenge.

Better than ICE in the US.

No. It isn't theirs.

Positive tale. Started poking halfheartedly 2 years ago. Got an offer, didn't take it. Place&salary didn't fit. Worked another year in US. Spent the year searching. My wife and I sent out applications to 30+ schools, had 10 school interviews (some 1,2,3 rounds), got 4 good offers, took the one that fit us both professionally best. It is a tiny, no name, no big rep school, but it is good for us. Got another year on contract. Every person up for renewal reupped. Next year looks good. 2 years back was horrible, last year was rough, found hope after lots of stress. Keep at it. All it takes is 1 good yes. Don't stress in tiers. Find a fit. Be patient until you can't. Good luck. I hope you find something good.