I'd like to move to the Dominican Republic around December 2011. I want to volunteer, but I really would prefer to pay for my own living expenses rather than having to pay thousands of dollars up front to live and eat with all the other volunteers every day...not really what I'm looking for. So I'm wondering how feasible it would be for me to get a part-time bartending or waitressing job to pay some of my expenses while I'm living there. I plan to save up money while I'm here in the US, but I would like to have a source of income, no matter how small, while living in the DR.
Any ballpark estimates as to what waitresses make per night? I speak OK Spanish, not great, but I'm working on that. I speak more Spanish than most tourists, but living there is a different ballgame. Is that going to be a deal-breaker as far as a waitressing job?
For what it's worth, I do have a BA from the University of Colorado, so I have something to offer employers in terms of education. However, with moderate Spanish proficiency it seems my job prospects will be (understandably) limited. Once I've lived there for 6 months or so my Spanish should be good enough that I might be able to work as an admin assistant. That's my job here, but no one wants a secretary who can't speak the damn official language, in any country! Thanks for any advice you may have to offer.
Any ballpark estimates as to what waitresses make per night? I speak OK Spanish, not great, but I'm working on that. I speak more Spanish than most tourists, but living there is a different ballgame. Is that going to be a deal-breaker as far as a waitressing job?
For what it's worth, I do have a BA from the University of Colorado, so I have something to offer employers in terms of education. However, with moderate Spanish proficiency it seems my job prospects will be (understandably) limited. Once I've lived there for 6 months or so my Spanish should be good enough that I might be able to work as an admin assistant. That's my job here, but no one wants a secretary who can't speak the damn official language, in any country! Thanks for any advice you may have to offer.