Family and friends back home frequently ask me why I stay in Venezuela. Usually my first answer is simply that I like it here. The follow up question is generally something about how long I plan on staying here. At first I wanted to stay at my current school for five years, and some days I still do, but after learning more about the security issues here (much different from Ojeda) I think I would like to stay for three or four years.
This is generally when people ask “WHY” again!
This post is for my family, friends, teachers thinking about moving here, and those who are just curious.
My Top Ten Reasons I stay in Venezuela:
- The people: locals that I’ve met here are warm, friendly, and helpful. Sure, Valencia is not the same as living in a small city like Ojeda where everyone knows me, but you can still develop meaningful relationships with people. I also like being greeted with hugs and kisses by my friends!
Right by my favorite deserted spot on Cayo Sombrero in Morrocoy
- Proximity to the beach: I am in love with Parque Nacional de Morrocoy (aka Morrocoy or Los Cayos). The beautiful Caribbean beaches that are post card worthy impress me every time. It takes me about an hour to drive to Tucacas and then a 30-minute boat ride out to my favorite island. However, if I don’t feel like driving so far you can get to a pretty nice beach called Patanemo in about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.
- My school: I’ve only been teaching overseas for 5 years now, so I feel like I can learn a lot at my school. There is professional admin, friendly students, tons of resources (seriously my classroom came with the best classroom library that I’ve ever seen), a gorgeous campus, a nature trail, a turtle habitat, mangos, and cool coworkers. One of my favorite parts is having a Teacher Associate in the classroom to help- a local teacher who is bilingual and trained in awesomeness (in other words: 2 teachers for 18 students!).
Just outside of the room where I got a massage yesterday
- Cost of Living: I’ve written before how messed up the money is here for locals, but the upside is that if you have access to dollars than you can live a great life here. I spent the day at a five star hotel yesterday and I got my hair cut, an hour long anti-stress massage, had lunch by the pool, swam, and lounged around for a few hours in the best poolside seating I’ve ever seen, and THEN I went out for sushi- all for less than $50USD. I want to be able to live a great lifestyle and still pay off my student loans at an accelerated rate and I can do this in Venezuela!
Angel Falls
- Travel within Venezuela: besides the beach, which I wrote about above, Venezuela has many other tourist attractions (or would be if more tourists came here). Los Roques is an archipelago in the Caribbean with gorgeous beaches. Canaima and Angel Falls (Salto Angel in Spanish) is packed FULL of natural beauty. The city of Merida is a mountainous town with a university town kinda vibe. Puerta La Cruz is another gorgeous beach town. Many people also love Isla Margarita but I haven’t been there yet. I should really get around to writing about the places I’ve been in Venezuela!
- The weather: Ojeda (in the state of Zulia was a little too hot for me), but Valencia is about 80-90F most days. If it rains it is warm rain. If it is cloudy it still feels like a warm spring day. It is hard to be homesick when you have blue skies and perfect weather everyday.
- Spanish: People here speak Spanish. I love the sound of Spanish. I’ve studied Spanish for six years while I was in school and at one time I was nearly fluent. It is my goal to become nearly fluent again, but most days I am happy to understand 90% of what people say and to be able to communicate my needs and wants.
- Cuban Salsa: It is my favorite style of dancing and for two years here my life was centered on it while I went to a dance academy twice a week (and frequently had practice nights at my house). Now I am happy to hear Timba music on the radio (or Bachata, Merengue, Reggaeton, or normal Salsa) and I could theoretically still be dancing if I could talk others into going to classes with me in the sketchy part of town. I don’t really feel safe going out to dance clubs (even with a group) and I no longer have space for salsa practice since I live in a small apartment, but I still watch salsa videos and look for opportunities to dance when I get them. You can’t beat waiting at the grocery store and hearing salsa music!
- Rum: I recently saw an article about some of the best rums in the world and two of them are produced here in Venezuela. I usually drink wine with my dinner, but if I go out I love Mojitos or Cuba Libres (Daquiris are easy to find too with all the fresh fruit available here). Check out the Santa Theresa 1796 and Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva the next time you are looking for some good sipping rum. Venezuela is a great spot if you like anything with rum!
- The Food: I love all of the fresh fruits and veggies that I can get at my local farmer’s market. I regularly find pineapple, passion fruit, guava, papaya, coconut, bananas, watermelon, basil, mint, sweet potatoes, avocados, strawberries, chard, broccoli, zucchini, eggplant, etc. The list just goes on and on! A couple blocks away from my apartment there is a store that makes fresh tortellini. I like empanadas and arepas, but my favorite local food is Pabellon (pulled beef served with rice and black beans).
I’ve written before about why I love being an international teacher and plan on being one for the rest of my life, but these are the reasons why I stay in Venezuela even though there are schools all around the world that I would love to work at. So despite some difficulties that I experience here, as long as I have these things, I plan on staying another three or four years!
Do you have a case of wanderlust? Why do you stay where you are? What keeps you from working your way around the world?
Teaching Wanderlust 
Ah ha! You do have cool coworkers! 😛
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Indeed! Love you buddy!
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What a neat slice! Such an interesting perspective…so much more than just about Venezuela. Your priorities and passions come out strongly in this piece. I share your love for people and relationships. I admire your brave decision to teach internationally and am jealous of your experiences. I can feel your respect for the culture and all that you have been offered there. I really enjoyed your genuine love and compassion for what you do and where you are doing it!
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Thank you for your comment!
Not too many teachers I’ve met think of international teaching as a viable option, but it really is. There are PE teachers, Librarians, Counselors, Music, Technology, and any other kind of teacher you can imagine, working at international schools around the world.
I really love my career and all of the opportunities I’ve been given because of it!
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Your post made me smile. I have been teaching overseas for 15 years now. I signed a two year contract and just kept resigning. The people who ask why are many, the reasons to stay infinite. The next time I am asked why, I will refer them to your post 🙂 Thanks for sharing; your thoughts a nice blend of humor and realism.
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Thanks for the comment!
Do you ever think of going back to your home country to teach? People can be persuasive, but usually I can only entertain the idea of moving back home for a couple of hours before I start daydreaming of all of the amazing schools that are out there!
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Sometimes. In the fifteen years we have been overseas, the conversation about returning home has been on-going. We have a lot of freedom here in the classroom, and it would be very difficult for me to return to the testing mandates of the States. There are so many international schools out there. Try out a few. We have remained at one.
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I’ve worked at a few schools already. I have a huge case of wanderlust so I can’t imagine staying in the same place for 15 years! It must be an amazing school you work at….
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I really enjoyed your post. I have never been to Venezuela but your post makes me want to visit. Your school sounds fantastic. I like your adventurous lifestyle….taking a risk to leave the known and explore the unknown….and you experience the country…taking dancing and traveling. Cool! I am retired now…but wonder if I would have taken such a risk as you have…and of course, once taken…realize it is not really a risk…but just another path.
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You should visit Venezuela! I’m trying to convince my parents to come down to celebrate their anniversary here. Sometimes retired teachers become international teachers….
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I love that you wrote this post. I too have been teaching internationally for a few years. I can’t imagine ever returning to the U.S. to teach. But you do have me thinking about Venezuela next.
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I think that if you have been abroad before then you might be better prepared than someone who is on their first overseas post. I like it here!
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What lovely reasons to stay in Venezuela! I’ve always wanted to live in another country for a while, preferably a Spanish speaking one. Once my grandchildren came I decided not to move away. My mother moved to Mexico when my children were little, and they always missed being with her. So I have to be happy with occasional trips! And vicariously enjoying the lives of others. Thanks for a great post.
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I think family is the best reason to stay in one place. Thankfully I have Skype, email, and Facebook to stay in touch with my family and friends. It is hard being away from the little ones though!
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I always dreamed of teaching overseas. You are living many peoples’ dream. I’m so glad you are able to focus on the reasons you love it there instead of letting others who don’t understand get in your head and cause doubt. It sounds like you are right where you need to be at this moment.
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Hi Jennifer! I frequently tell myself that I am living the dream, because I’m doing exactly what I’ve always dreamt of doing. One of the hardest parts of my job is choosing where to go next! It is nice to just stay in one place for a few years!
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Amanda,
I have accepted a position teaching in Maturin and look forward to staying in touch with you as well as blogging about my own experiences. 10 year teacher; first-time on the international circuit. Hoping for safe travels for all!!!
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Good luck on your new adventure! We will probably see each other around January for a professional development event called VANAS. Let me know what your blog address will be so we can compare notes!
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I love the way you talk about Venezuela. I live in Aragua and for me and my relatives, is too mess up to plan a living here. In fact, I’m leaving next year.
Reading your thoughts make me see things from a different point of view. Also, I thank God that you are having a positive experience in one of the most dangerous states in the country.
My main complaint will be always the insecurity. Sometimes we can live with little money if we have warm beaches and nice people around, but with some much violence, it is harder.
Anyway, glad you’re having a good time. Take care a lot.
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So many locals who worked at my school left last year in addition to the usual expat flight that happens at the end of the school year. I have worked in Venezuela for three years now, and I would like to finish this school year and stay for one more. The security situation here is going to be the deciding factor for sure!
Good luck Miguel!
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