IDC Internship Info From Those Who Know

[TStrick]

I have been on this board for a couple years and usually do not post a lot because my questions always seem to get answered by the end of a thread, but I have one that hopefully someone who has been there or has first hand knowledge can help me out with...

I am seriously considering going on to instructor level training and try to scratch away at a living teaching. No need for all of the, "you will never make any good money" argument. I've read a ton of those already and I truly believe that if you have your finances in order and some money in the bank you can survive, I don't need much and besides I work for the government now so I'm used to being poor.

I have been looking into some intern type schools in Thailand, Honduras, and Florida but can't decide on which one. They all seem to have a great program and prices are all within the same ballpark. I am leaning toward Honduras since it's the Caribean, my Spanish is OK and I really haven't heard anything bad about the school down there. I have heard mixed reviews of the ones in Thailand but also mostly great feedback.

So for those that may have been down this path or headed that way:
Why did you choose your school?
Was it for availability of jobs?
Quality of instruction?
Type of instruction?
Possible job contacts through the school itself?
Diversity of marine life at specific location?
Was it for the price of school or cost of living in that area?
There could be a ton of other reasons that I haven't even thought of if you have something please add.

Any input you could provide would be great. I did not use any particular school names on purpose because I didn't want this to turn into an IDC bashing thread. I know that a few of the instructors and owners from these schools cruise this board, feel free to chime in, would love to hear from you too. I have spoke to a couple of the guys from each location and I think they are great guys but of couse they will have a bias opinion of their area..it's a business after all so I am more interested in hearing from someone who has been through, going through, or researched this already...Of course opinions are good too but you know the saying about those.:14:

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.

 

[TStrick]

Wow 24 hours and nothing...guess no one has any info...thanks anyways

 

[Don Wray]

http://www.dresseldivers.com/ have locations all through out the Caribbean and in Spain. They offer free training in exchange for a work contract after completing the IE. I can't remember exactly what the length of the contract was but I believe it was 3 years. I looked into them but decided to go to Vero Beach with EASE. The CD has a great reputation and they include housing and meals for the time you are there.

 

[kensuguro]

I went to ProDive (http://www.prodiveusa.com/index.html)through a recommendation by my LDS owner and friend. Their training program is the best of the best, hands down. And they also help you get your first job. I've seen most of the people who wanted to work (as opposed to go on to marine biology schools, etc) start working within a few weeks of completing the entire course. It seems like their job placement is almost no-miss.

There's a catch though.. I believe that if you're serious about being "instant deployable", you need to complete the full Resort Operations Specialist course, which takes you past instructor, with added training like nitrox gas blender, dan advanced o2, etc. It'll be some intense months, but you'll be getting the really good instruction. Downside is of course, the cost of all the education+living/housing is going to be "interesting". (ProDive tip: Nothing is ever "bad", it's "interesting") But I believe you are entitled to the job placement program even if you complete just the instructor portion of their training, so make sure you ask. I personally didn't use their job placement since I knew I was going to teach/assist at my lds.

What's good about prodive is it actually feels like a school. Not like "they're trying to teach you from a dive shack that so happends to call itself a CDC". Actually, I just found out that ProDive was the first PADI CDC in the world.. Anyway, things are organized, the staffs are extremely nice, and the school starts feeling cozy after the first few days.

I'll be glad to answer any questions, although I only went through instructor.