Desperately Need Advice!

[vneza]

hi all -

i have my open water certification and am now looking to get my divemaster and eventually my instructors certification. i currently live in california and was planning to get my certs. in malaysia, but those plans fell through. so i am now looking for some advice on where to go. i am ready to leave asap. i am looking for a budget solution in any other country than the us. i would like to find somewhere with a good exchange rate, a low cost of living and cheaper diving costs. i know this is asking a lot but i'm confident there are many places that fit this description. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HowieDean]

Search the South American forum on this board. It's about a cheap a place as you will find.

 

[H2Andy]

vneza, send a PM to RoatanMan if he doesn't find this thread. you'll get tons of
info from him

 

[vneza]

thanks for the info - but i actually got my ow in roatan and would like to try something new.

 

[H2Andy]

gotcha...

no clue, sorry

 

[emtdan]

If i were you, I would get as much expierence as possible in as many situations/envirnments as possible before taking the journey to DM or instructor. You should focus on the process not the goal, and take time between the steps to get comftrable, and get expierence.
So maybe you should do each course in a difference kind of environment.

 

[hdtran]

Cancun Mark runs one out of (dramatic drumroll...) Cancun! But I fear cost of living is definitely not low in Cancun...

 

[Kim]

Thailand is a very good place to consider. It's probably even cheaper than Malaysia, it's not been that busy in Phuket since the tsunami so they are also pleased to see you - and the Thai massages are hard to beat after a days diving!

 

[HammerNoMore]

hi all -

i have my open water certification and am now looking to get my divemaster and eventually my instructors certification.

Woah, nellie... Take some time. Learn to dive first. Your OW gave you a license to learn, use it.

i currently live in california and was planning to get my certs. in malaysia, but those plans fell through. so i am now looking for some advice on where to go.

Seriously, where do you want to teach? Do you want to teach in Malaysia or in California? You need to learn to dive in the waters where you want to teach. If you go to Malaysia and get your instructor rating, do you think you'll be able to find work in CA where the water is cold and the grass is often high?

 

[vneza]

Woah, nellie... Take some time. Learn to dive first. Your OW gave you a license to learn, use it.



Seriously, where do you want to teach? Do you want to teach in Malaysia or in California? You need to learn to dive in the waters where you want to teach. If you go to Malaysia and get your instructor rating, do you think you'll be able to find work in CA where the water is cold and the grass is often high?

yes - i understand all of this. i am in no rush - these are just my goals to be reached on no particular schedule. i know i need to just spend some time diving and travelling. the rest will fall into place naturally once i'm in the industry. so i really can't say where i want to teach yet - one step at a time. basically i'm just looking for advice on where to get started. somewhere reasonably cheap to live and do my dm.