AboutDenny Expertise Greece on a budget, The Islands, Mainland, Athens and its burbs. For the basics on getting around...maybe I can help...I go there yearly and you can`t be as cheap as me .
Experience Worked & lived in Athens area for 5 years. (78-83 Was AFRS Radio Announcer (Denny West)at the time. Last visit: Mar/Sep 2005. Last time in Europe, June
2008 (Spain & Germany).
Organizations Janesville Library (I have a card)
Publications Stars & Stripes
Education/Credentials I have a BS degree from UTSA, guess that means I can expound on just about anything ?
Awards and Honors USAF Broadcasting's 'Thomas Jefferson Award'
Past/Present Clients I am NOT a travel salesperson.
Question Hello, I have a somewhat unique situation and a few questions. My boyfriend who's father is greek and I live in San Diego, CA and we hate the US now, and we want to move to Greece. My boyfriend has been in Greece many times and speaks the language. Soon my boyfriend will submit paperwork to the greek embassy so he can get his greek ID. His dad is greek and lives in Athens so this should not be too hard. I am an american citizen and I am currently taking a course so I can get certified to teach english as a second language. My question is upon entering greece, do i need to show a return ticket to the US after 90 days? My second question is how can I go about working there legally, can a school hire me and help me get my work visa? Are the schools eve willing to even do this for foreigners? Ultmately we may just get married so I can work legally, but we wanted to find out all our options first. I know that you can work for accomodations "under the table" but we really wont be needing that since we have a place to stay in Athens (at his parents who live there). If you could send me any info on this I would appreciate it.
Thanks
A.H
Answer Yiasou Aisha, thank you for the question,
Well, first of all, NO you don't need to show the return ticket to anyone...But if you do not get a 'working visa' and you leave the country after 90-days...like 91 or so, the man at the customs window will likely catch the error and have you go to a nearby holding area where they are likely to frown on your tardiness.
Actually, if you will be staying MORE then 90-days...just get a one-way ticket to Greece and when the 90-day moment arrives, get on a ferry to Brindisi (or better yet Venice), do some shopping and sightseeing, and then return the next day or so, good to go for another 90-days.
Now the other problem...ESL teacher...You will be wanting a WORKING VISA or Permit...Permits are granted by the 'Ministry of Labor' and often require a letter from an employer. EU residents (of which you ain't) are allowed to work up to 90-days without a permit. ENGLISH teaching positions are still widely available in Greece, especially if you intend to be there for any looooong period of time.
Check with SD universities' foreign language departments that may have overseas connections. City news (http://athens.citynews.com/Employment.html)GOOD SOURCE for employment opportunities in Athens area.
Teaching positions, while available, do not pay that much.
(some elite private American Schools do have competitivesalaries)
Volenteering yourself as a teacher is a good way to get a foot in the door, even then you may get some kind of remuneration.
It is a real 'bear' to get through all of the paperwork to obtain a teaching licence in Greece. You will have to present your diploma and your passport translated into Greek, among other things ...
FOR ALL THE CURRNT REUIREMENTS: Hellenic Ministry of Education, Mitropoleus #15, Athens 10185. (www.ypepth.gr).
Greek schools rarely require teachers to have a TEFL certificate, however certified teachers often find higher paying positions. Native English speakers working in private schools are most often hired for English-Immersion classrooms where no Greek in spoken.
If you are going to Greece and hope to secure a position once you get there, the best time of the year to look or apply to schools in your area, is several weeks before the start of the school year in September.
THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES ARE HELPFUL WITH PLACEMENTS:
www.GoAbroad.com out of Denver Colorado ... 720-570-1702.
International schools service (ISS) www.iss.edu ... 609-452-0990.
Office of overseas schools...www.state.gov/m/a/os. 202-261-8200 (state dept)
Have a safe trip over.
Calh Taxiedi (ask your friend if I am spelling this correctly)
Denny
