Once again, Anna and Chris did not lose sight of the original question - way to go girls !
The OP did not ask for personal opinions, she asked for advice on how to go about things to start her planning. If you don't have any - well, go on to the next topic, please.
Although, I did not move to the DR after one AI visit, I did basically what she is about to embark on. I had basic spanish, and moved solely to immerse myself in the culture, to improve my spanish (which I know now is a lot harder than it sounds LOL ) I did not have a job, but had made contact with an ex-pat that had lived there for many years, as well as people who just lived the winters in Cofresi. I was determined to find a job and a decent place to stay, I pounded the pavement, and it took me one day. Very important - this was 14 years ago - this is not how it is today. The bottom line is, however, the same. If you have strength, determination, and a sense of right and wrong, you can conquer the everyday obstacles. You must have a back-up plan, available finances for emergencies, enough to carry you for at least 3 months ( if you don't find a job within that time, consider your travel to the DR as an extended vacation, and get on with life!) One of the biggest obstacles you will probably face is deciding who you can trust - Dominican and ex-pat alike. Not everybody there is a Hillbilly, Grahame, Chris, Ken to name a few!
I do think that the best approach is to visit the DR a few more times, not stay in an AI. Eat like a local, travel like a local, familiarize yourself with the local shops, supermarkets. Find where you can go to do laundry, meet with some of the people you have met on DR1, listen and learn. Then go back to Canada, figure out how much you will need to get you started, sit back and decide if this is how you want to live, then set your plan in motion.
I do frown upon the fact that your only DR experience is a one week visit to an AI, because that is the farthest thing from DR representation that one can get. That is why I suggest that more trips are needed to fully comprehend the Dominican way of life. If you do not heed that advice, I predict a lot of hardships that may come your way.
One last thing, utilize the search button - there is a wealth of info on this site, from success stories to horror stories, and everything in between.
I wish you the best of luck, and hopefully some of what I stated will help you in some small way.
Marlie
P.S. I no longer live in the DR, but not because of failing, a personal choice.
The OP did not ask for personal opinions, she asked for advice on how to go about things to start her planning. If you don't have any - well, go on to the next topic, please.
Although, I did not move to the DR after one AI visit, I did basically what she is about to embark on. I had basic spanish, and moved solely to immerse myself in the culture, to improve my spanish (which I know now is a lot harder than it sounds LOL ) I did not have a job, but had made contact with an ex-pat that had lived there for many years, as well as people who just lived the winters in Cofresi. I was determined to find a job and a decent place to stay, I pounded the pavement, and it took me one day. Very important - this was 14 years ago - this is not how it is today. The bottom line is, however, the same. If you have strength, determination, and a sense of right and wrong, you can conquer the everyday obstacles. You must have a back-up plan, available finances for emergencies, enough to carry you for at least 3 months ( if you don't find a job within that time, consider your travel to the DR as an extended vacation, and get on with life!) One of the biggest obstacles you will probably face is deciding who you can trust - Dominican and ex-pat alike. Not everybody there is a Hillbilly, Grahame, Chris, Ken to name a few!
I do think that the best approach is to visit the DR a few more times, not stay in an AI. Eat like a local, travel like a local, familiarize yourself with the local shops, supermarkets. Find where you can go to do laundry, meet with some of the people you have met on DR1, listen and learn. Then go back to Canada, figure out how much you will need to get you started, sit back and decide if this is how you want to live, then set your plan in motion.
I do frown upon the fact that your only DR experience is a one week visit to an AI, because that is the farthest thing from DR representation that one can get. That is why I suggest that more trips are needed to fully comprehend the Dominican way of life. If you do not heed that advice, I predict a lot of hardships that may come your way.
One last thing, utilize the search button - there is a wealth of info on this site, from success stories to horror stories, and everything in between.
I wish you the best of luck, and hopefully some of what I stated will help you in some small way.
Marlie
P.S. I no longer live in the DR, but not because of failing, a personal choice.
