Alex Hardy grew up never having experienced or visited the country of his parent’s origin. His only connection to his Panamanian roots were through his grandmother, who would play music and cook food in their New York home. Seeking to reconnect, he took a one-month trip, which turned into two months and then a one-way ticket to professional triumphs and unforgettable experiences.
Hardy, an enterprising English and dance teacher in Panama City, was able to both fulfill his desire to tap into his heritage as well as matching his career with his passion. Learn from his journey how you can too.
BlackEnterprise.com: What led to your choice to move to the country you live to pursue your professional goals?
My mother’s family is Panamanian, but I’ve never been here until now. Sadly, I wasn’t raised speaking Spanish. … Any real knowledge came from overheard tales or personal investigation. I’ve always felt disconnected. Coming here to explore the culture and learn the language has always been on my list of things to do. It was inevitable, something I knew I needed to do.
How did you go about finding work in Panama?
Upon finding temporary lodging, I began placing flyers in the streets and on bulletin boards for my private English classes. I put ads in the local papers. Calls began trickling in over time, and word of mouth helped even more than my own promotional efforts. As for teaching dance, in only my second day here permanently, I happened to be browsing the classifieds in a newspaper while enjoying the free breakfast in
Luna’s Castle Hostel and saw an ad for a “dance/aerobic instructor.” I responded to the ad, set up an interview, had a great connection with the owner and got a great job teaching Zumba in the upscale part of town.What is the work culture like and how are you able to successfully navigate the market?
Some of the more popular, sought-after jobs are call center jobs and anything in tourism. And having English under your belt makes you much more marketable. As an independent contractor offering a service to Panamanian individuals and companies, the biggest requirement one needs is patience. Nothing in Panama happens when you think it should. Nobody moves as quickly as I, as a former New Yorker, expect it to. Buses run on their own schedule. Businesses may or may not open at the posted time. Having services rendered, you’re at the mercy of that individual. If they had other things to do deemed more important than fulfilling your request, you’ll just have to deal. The only thing that happens quickly is the demand for payment.
What differences do you see in working in Panama vs. working in the U.S. in terms of salary and benefits?
The average salary in Panama ranges from $400 to $700 per month, so as an American who doesn’t like to share his living space, I knew it would be up to me to independently create the kind of income I’d need for my lifestyle. All workers in Panama are paid on the 1st and the 15th. Since I offer my English classes as self-employed, I’m paid weekly.I have more flexibility.
One major difference is how openly Panamanians discuss salaries. When I mention that I teach privately, people often ask, “How
much do you earn?” or “Do they pay you well?” or “How much do you make in a week?” and so on, without hesitation. Back home, we’re taught, via human resources training, not to discuss or compare salaries in the workplace.What’s a typical work day like for you?
My day typically begins at 6:45 a.m., when I jump out of bed to teach a Zumba class at the national gym chain Powerclub. I take a diablo rojo (a repurposed and painted yellow school bus) which costs 25 cents and then transfer to a taxi, which should cost no more than $3 within the city (more if you speak no Spanish, less if you’re a flirty pretty girl). After my Zumba class, I grab another taxi  or Metrobus to my clients for English lessons. My clients could be average citizens of United Nations employees. One night a week, I teach a hip-hop dance class to teenagers and another night, I do a Cardiodance class for women. Other nights, I rehearse with a dance company or take a jazz or ballet dance class.
How is lodging and living in Panama?
I am living alone in a one-bedroom apartment that costs $350 per month for rent. The rent is all-inclusive, for a small spot on the outskirts of Casco Viejo, a tourist-heavy area. I’m not in the best or most centrally located area, but it’s sufficient for me as a starting point. My building has no hot water, which took some getting used to. I live with mostly foreigners, people who come for all types of reasons from all over. A great upside of this area is heavy police presence most of the time.
My living alone is somewhat rare as many Panamanians live with their families well into adulthood. The American way of jumping ship isn’t as much of a priority here. While staying in a hostel, a friend I’d made from Facebook offered me his living room for a few weeks while I found my bearings. From there, a Panamanian-born girl who was raised in Kentucky offered me her apartment as she was to be leaving the city to house sit for a traveling woman at Playa Coronado. I’ve found that apartments here are easy to find. Though salaries are much lower on average, I’ve seen prices comparable to what I used to pay when living in Brooklyn, N.Y. Some newer buildings can run upwards of $3,000 monthly, which is what one might pay living in New York City.
How does the cultural experience differ from what you’re used to in the States?
American culture has a heavy influence in Panama. The malls here have just as many familiar restaurants as malls stateside. Sprawling shopping centers and towering glass condos and apartment buildings are everywhere. Here you can observe their take on American customs (such as singing “Happy Birthday” completely in English) and a very interesting mix of the indigenous and Caribbean influences. Panamanians take great pride in their traditional music and gorgeous, distinct garments (such as beautiful pollera dresses). I connect more with the Caribbean and African aspects of the food and music, as it reminds me of my grandmother’s style of cooking and speech. The island-kissed accents and richly flavored food take me back to afternoons in her kitchen. That’s what I identify with most of all.
What advice would you give anyone considering a move to Panama for career opportunities?
1. Use any skill you have to offer and are able to teach. It will be of benefit to someone here. This applies tenfold to English. Most people you meet will mention wanting to speak English. Everyone from call centers to music schools will pay good money to a native English speaker.
2. Handle all embassy or consul work before boarding the plane. Local bureaucracy is not for the faint of heart.
3. Have patience. It will save you from a heart attack, especially in the Caribbean and Latin America, Â The pace isn’t as fast as some might be used to in the U.S., especially in U.S. cities.
4. Use social media to connect with people in your target country prior to moving. I sent friend requests to people with common interests before moving to Panama and was able to eventually build relationships and find lodging that way. Send an email to your contact list. Perhaps someone has a cousin or childhood friend in the region. You’ll be surprised who knows someone there.
5. Check the Web for expatriate groups and organizations. Couchsurfing.org has meet ups in certain major cities where locals and other travelers can connect to share their experiences and resources.