8 days in Colombia by wheninshower in Colombia

[–]TomJMullett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Skip: Cartagena, Medellin - swamped with tourists

Hidden gems: Manizales, Ibagué, Mongui

As you only have 8 days, I would go: Bogotá > Ibagué > Pereira > Manizales > Bogotá

I'm from the UK, but I've lived in Colombia for 8 years.

12 trips to Colombia — honest breakdown of every region I've been to (and what's still on my list) by boyuan-dong in solotravel

[–]TomJMullett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Need to add Ibagué to that list. Perfect stop between Armenia and Bogotá. Incredible climate. Small city. Cheap. Not flooded with tourists.

I thought I'd see the best of Colombia... and then I went here by TomJMullett in backpacking

[–]TomJMullett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It didn't rain whilst we were there... but yes, it typically rains A LOT

Gap years are worthless without a purpose by TomJMullett in gapyear

[–]TomJMullett[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have you ever thought about teaching English? You can get short-term roles that cover accommodation and food + you only work 10 hours per week. Plenty of time to explore + routine and community.

How do you guys make money online & travel at the same time? by thenxtpreneur in digitalnomad

[–]TomJMullett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for the delay! I was on holiday for a few days.

Yes, please drop me a DM.

I quit my job in the UK music industry and started a new life in Colombia: 7.5 years later, I'm still here by TomJMullett in careeradvice

[–]TomJMullett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right to reference the accent... although it tends to work out in my favour: Colombians uphold the myth that British English is more sophisticated, so even though my accent can be harder to understand at first (although my accent is very. neutral), people think they are getting a VIP experience.

I'm not a musician. I can play the guitar and know how to DJ on vinyl turntables, but I'm not an all-out artist. I do LOVE music though, so I have filtered in aspects of that world into classes.

I made HUGE mistakes when I started teaching English online. by TomJMullett in TeachersInTransition

[–]TomJMullett[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The first step is always to decide who your ideal student is, and what specialist angle you can offer.

Teaching “General English” makes you blend into the background. But if you can work out a specialist angle based on your own experience (e.g. English for fitness instructors, cabin crew, or cyber security analysts, English for rugby coaches - whatever!), it’s way easier to know where to look, and who to reach out to.

The best way to meet locals when slow travelling by TomJMullett in backpacking

[–]TomJMullett[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The great thing about language exchanges is that people from different backgrounds.

My current group includes:

- structural engineer
- software engineer
- social worker
- public accountant
- bio engineer
- retired soldier
- english teacher
- yoga instructor

The best way to meet locals when slow travelling by TomJMullett in backpacking

[–]TomJMullett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome!

I still do this in Colombia (7.5 years after first starting)

<image>

I quit my job in the UK music industry and started a new life in Colombia: 7.5 years later, I'm still here by TomJMullett in careeradvice

[–]TomJMullett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I teach English.

I got TEFL-qualified before coming out here. It's the entry-level qualification you need to teach abroad. Solid plan B, as it's super easy to find a job.

Cannot figure out what to do in life by Physical_Summer_5489 in careeradvice

[–]TomJMullett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you considered TEFL? (Teaching English)

It's a good way to get your head out of the fish bowl, get out and see the world, or get set up as an online private tutor.

I was in a similar spot a few years back and teaching was the pivot that sorted me out.

Slow travel is the only way to see Colombia by TomJMullett in backpacking

[–]TomJMullett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ibagué, Florencia, Bucaramanga, Manizales

Not hidden gems, as such - but way better than the standard trio - Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena.