I'm not trying to be 'personal' about your hobby. I'm just trying to point out that unless that is what you are using to support yourself then it seems a bit pointless to insist on identifying yourself as a photographer. The world is full of people who have a passion for something that doesn't pay the bills. My boss (as an example) makes quite a nice little income as a musician but that is nowhere near enough to live on in Japan so he's a teacher.
You nailed me on the stories part. No work tomorrow so I'm a few drinks in haha!
Don't worry, it was a bit mean to point it out. We all make spelling/grammar mistakes at times - just best not to do it in a post when you are talking about how great your writing skills are. And for what it's worth your writing skills do actually seem quite good. Certainly compared to many of the people who post here.
What I do is way more competitive than teaching and making a living on it in the states is hard enough as it is, especially when you're young.
I don't disagree with this for a minute. I'm not in anyway implying that you aren't a talented photographer (or that you are, how would I know) and at least you haven't come on here posting that you plan to travel using photography to support yourself (we get that post at least a couple of times a year). But it just isn't relevant to what you are trying to do. I know you'll probably write this off as old fogey negativity but the sad reality is that plenty of talented, passionate people don't manage to make a living from their skills. That's life.
You want to travel. Great. You want to support yourself while you do it. Excellent. So now you have to figure out a way to make that happen. By all means just head of to Thailand or Bali or whatever and see what happens. You may well be a person for whom it all works out (and they do still exist). On the other hand you might be one of those who runs out of money in 2 months and heads home (plenty of them exist too). I'll completely admit that the advice on this forum will tend to run to the more conservative end of the spectrum. Listen to it, listen to your other sources, decide what is right for you.
And suppose I am looking for the easy way out, can you blame me? I am willing to throw myself into the chaos of a new country. Sacrifice NUMEROUS short term pleasures for the sake of travel and I am ready to accept the fact that this won't be just a vacation, but serious work as well. Looking for the easiest way to survive in another country seems to be the most practical option. Why would I look for a difficult one?
Because sometimes the more difficult one is the better option. I first worked overseas with no real qualifications (I had a bachelors but wasn't using it). That was fine but I quickly realised that if I wanted to make a lifestyle out of living overseas I needed a better thought out plan. I gave up a lot to put my plan into place. Two years back in Australia studying full time. But it was worth it.
That was me though. This is you. It really depends what you want. I've just reread your OP and decided actually I'm not clear. What do you want? Are you just looking to have a bit of a short overseas adventure. A few months spent away from the drag of your current life? If so then I think you're right, no point in doing any additional training. Head overseas, take what comes your way. Work in a bar, teach a little English under the table, swap labour for free accommodation in a hostel.
If you want to do this for a few years (or even a full year) though AND have cash for things like snow boarding or photography equipment then you really need to land the better paying jobs and what we're saying is that to do that you'll probably need some training and a willingness to commit for more than a few months.
However, I don't want to come across as a slacker with a "yeah i'll just get in there , teach english or whatever, get paid and leave" type attitude. And I do understand your point of drifting douche bags watering down your profession.
You don't really come across this way. I was more talking about the kind of people who are giving advice like 'don't worry, you don't need qualifications.' Also drifting douche bags don't water down my profession, I'm not an English teacher so it doesn't effect me personally (or is it affect? see this why I'm not an English teacher), I was just trying to explain the point of view from which much advice on this board comes.
Is it possible to accept that someone will teach for the "job" and not for the "love" and still ably perform?
Absolutely. I make no bones whatsoever about the fact that I got into the teaching profession based on two things:
- Excellent holidays - currently I'm on 14 weeks a year.
- The fact that I can get a job pretty much anywhere in the world.
I'm a good teacher. I enjoy it. I take it seriously but I don't do it for love.
I'm just saying if I don't have to get TEFL certified than I won't. If I don't have to sign a year contract than I won't.
And what we're saying is that your chances of a decent job will be much higher if you do those things. As I said earlier it really depends on what you want out of this. I know plenty of unqualified people in China (well I used to, even there it is getting harder to find jobs) who basically work for beer money. They get accommodation, easy access to easy women, work 15 hours a week and are good with that. But they don't want to buy $1000 cameras or expect to go snow boarding.
One thing in your favour is that you have the sense to listen to ideas you disagree with and not get all abusive. You might be surprised at how few people can do that.
Rereading your initial post it is possible we've got the wrong end of the stick. If all you want is a few short months in each place (or in one of the places) and you don't need to do more than earn enough to live on then I think you might be right that there's no point in shelling out for further training. I guess I got thrown by the snow boarding thing and was assuming that you wanted to earn enough for a pretty good lifestyle. Also I'm writing from the Japanese point of view so I'm at the expensive end of your considered countries.
Good luck with your plans. If you do make it to Tokyo let me know and I'll buy you a beer (at expensive Tokyo prices!) to make up for all the negativity!
