Hello all! I will be starting my first hunt for an international position this hiring season. I have posted a few other times and have been actively reading through the forum. I have been advised to do tons of research of schools and countries/ cities, and have read many posts where others talk about creating excel docs full of info. My question is what do you think the most pertinent info to research would be? Is there anything you didn't look into that you wish you had prior to accepting a position/ location? Any suggestions of good places to start research?

I have a tendency to go overboard with things like this and want to be sure I am really looking into what matters and not the arbitrary details.
I am a member here and have been looking at reviews, though taking them with a grain of salt. I am also a member at TIE. I will be attending the UNI fair, but also want to be actively applying for desired jobs as they open up. Any advice would be helpful!
Thanks!

I have been doing a lot of research on ISs so I can start making a list of schools I want to apply to in the fall. Unfortunately all of the schools that I really like in Europe (IS Prague, Frankfurt IS, etc.) seem to be FAR, FAR out of reach for someone that has no previous international or PYP experience.

I would like my list to have some schools from each region for flexibility. Europe would really be my top choice (W, E, N, doesn't really matter), but I am having a hard time finding attainable schools that I would want to work at. I know it will probably be a very small pool, but hoping to have some light shed on the situation by others more familiar with the international teaching world.

For me what would qualify as a "good" school would be one that is student centered, forward thinking, and in a city with decent social opportunities. I'm not big on the nightlife scene,but would like to have some alternatives to sitting on my couch every night. As far as package goes, I am currently used to living paycheck to paycheck, so as long as salary is survivable with taxes and housing I feel fairly confident I can make it work. Being able to actually save something would be nice, but I know in Europe it is unlikely.

Thanks in advance!

Wow! Thank you so much for all of your feedback! I have started researching and do have a list of the absolute "no" schools, I just need to start figuring out which ones are my "yes" schools. I am a paid member of ISR, and it has been helpful reading all the reviews of different schools.

I am definitely going to apply in Europe (W, E, and C) and will open up to other schools in ME and Asia.

Does anybody know of any nice schools in Europe that offer some sort of housing assistance? From what I understand the majority don't, but am wondering if any do. Thank you again for all of your help- I was afraid I'd get laughed off the board!

Sorry, by IT I meant international teaching. I have fixed my original post. I am looking for an elementary or primary position. Though my elementary cert is technically k-8, it has been my experience that most schools require a middle grades endorsement for 7th or 8th grade.

Hello all! I have been interested in international teaching for several years now, and have finally decided to go for it next hiring season. I would love to teach in Europe, but from things I have read it would be difficult to get hired at a decent school with a livable package with no IT experience. I am hoping some of you could offer completely honest opinions about my chances. I have certs in early childhood and elementary, and a Master's in elementary ed. I have been teaching for 5 years and have experience in 1st, 4th, and 6th grade. I am single with no dependents (though if possible I would like to take my cat, though I know that will seem ridiculous to some). I plan to attend the UNI fair this coming winter.

I am also open to suggestions for non European schools. My main priority is safety and social opportunities within the community (and I do know Europe is not a guarantee of either).

Any thoughts would be very welcome.