After backpacking through Europe for two months, an Ohio University student ran out of money and almost went home.
Senior Zach Garinger took Spring Quarter of his freshman year off to backpack in Europe with his best friend. After running out of money, they tried for three weeks to find a job so they could stay a little longer.
We were catching a train to London and about to go home and give up
but then my friend checked his e-mail right before we got on the train and someone had e-mailed us back and told us to come work said Garinger, who is applying for a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Malaysia. It was the very last possible day. We ended up working on an organic farm in Italy
doing everything from building fences to cleaning out barns.
Garinger will speak about his work experience abroad at a meeting tonight for students who are interested in jobs in other countries. Hosted by the Education Abroad Office, the meeting, Long-Term Careers and Short-Term Jobs: Finding International Opportunities, will be at 7 p.m. tonight in Alden Library room 319. There will be refreshments and students can ask students who have worked abroad, in both paid and volunteer positions, about their experience.
After the general meeting, French professor Lois Vines will speak at 8 p.m. about opportunities to serve as a conversation assistant in France.
Vines, who has advised OU students in the program for seven years, said the French government sponsors the program and usually takes three or four students a year. Accepted students become teaching assistants who work with French students on their speaking skills by creating activities focused on conversations.
Vines said students work about 12 hours a week at a public school in France in a preferred grade level. Last year, students were paid 860 euros per month, which is about $690 according to current exchange rates. They also are covered by health insurance.
Usually students who apply are seniors
it's a year-long program in France
I think one student did it as a junior
but normally it's the year after graduation
she said. Students have to be under 30 years of age
have to be able to communicate in French because although their teaching English
they are living in France and have to be able to function.
Perdreau said the most popular areas to be conversation assistants are Latin America and Asia. It is harder to find jobs in Europe because most European countries sponsor British students.
Perdreau emphasized that students who want to work abroad should make sure they have a work permit. If they are caught working and receiving money under the table, they will be sent out of the country.
Although OU does not sponsor work abroad programs in the Education Abroad Office, staff inform students of outside opportunities to work abroad. The only exceptions are education majors who can do their student teaching abroad for credit, said Connie Perdreau, director of Education Abroad.
