Roadjunky Travel Forums

Hi Everyone,

Just a little intro, I have been lurking around on Road Junky for a while now and even purchased the Road Junky Guidebook, which was definitely worth the money. I am a little over halfway done my university degree and have been seriously thinking about what I want to do and where I want to go in my life after I graduate. What I do know, however, is that I want to travel and live in a place that I have never been before. Right now, what I have in mind is to live in Rio de Janeiro for a few years after my graduation.

Having said that, I would really appreciate some help on how I can make this happen. I have been searching around the internet for some answers but I really want to hear from people who have actually "been there and done that".

Would having a business degree help at all in getting a job in Rio de Janeiro? I searched around the internet but the sources I found seem to be very obscure and most have to do with teaching English, which is something I have nothing against, but would prefer not to do. I guess what I am looking for is something that can sustain living in Brazil for at least a year. It would probably be extremely difficult getting a corporate job there as they would probably prefer recruiting locals, but it has to be possible! Nothing comes easy anyway.

I figure that trying to learn Portuguese through college courses/online before actually going to Brazil will help me grasp the basics of the language and will hopefully allow me to actually "survive" when I eventually land in the country. I don't want it to be all over before it even starts...

My idea is that, near the end of my university life, I can just pack up and go. I actually want to live somewhere completely different than where I have been living all my life, and not just go backpacking around random places. Has anyone done this before? I apologize for the long post, so whoever has read up until this point, I sincerely thank you. Please tell me if this sounds like a reasonable plan and please share your thoughts/opinions.

Peace!

Oddly enough, JustGo, i own http://www.anythinginrio.com and I keep getting queries from tourists who want to go on tours, get picked up from the airport, go to samba clubs, that kind of thing. I used to run it when I lived there with an ex-girlfriend, the only person I trusted in Brazil and we made some pretty good money.

If you put in rio de janeiro tours to google it comes in at number 6 or so.

Anyway, I'd be into selling or leasing the site if you wanted to make a go of a custom tour business. Drop me a line tom at roadjunky.com if you're interested...

I actually just did that. I sold everything I had in the states and moved to Rio. Been here for about one month and I'm loving it so far, my plan is at least 6 months and then we'll see.

Let me know if you have any questions.


BTW - Tom, I loved your articles about going out in Rio and hitting up Emporio in Ipanema.

Hey, say hi to Luizinho for me who sells beer out of the back of his car outside the Emporio, he was truly one of the most inspiring people i met in south america.

(05-18-2009 11:23 PM)tom Wrote: [ -> ]Hey, say hi to Luizinho for me who sells beer out of the back of his car outside the Emporio, he was truly one of the most inspiring people i met in south america.

Just came back from Emporio and talked to Luizinho in my crappy Portuguese. He says he remembers you, Tom. He no longer has a car, but keeps his beers in a garbage bag.

When I start hitting Emprorio solo, at least I'll have a cool guy to talk to if things get slow.

JustGo, I am from Brasil and have been living in LA for the past 9 years. I got here to LA when I was 15 and now I miss it so much that I am dropping everything and moving back ... I graduated college one year and a half ago and thought I was going to move back right the way. I went back, spent one month and came back here for a job, but now, starting Nov. 16th I will be living there... If you need any help while down there shoot me a line. Best of luck!