I think people sometimes forget that the world, while it may seem small, actually has a lot of different types of experiences. In Asia we saved a ton of money, loved the culture and traveling cheaply. Then we moved to W. Europe a dream at the time that quickly turned way too expensive for us. While it was amazing to see Amsterdam, Paris, London, Belgium, Vienna, Rome, Florence, Venice and Prague, we were unable to save any money in the 4 years that we were there. We didn't dip into savings like most, be we also lived in a tiny box of an apartment. In Africa we are also able to save, travel cheap and see amazing cultures. IT is what you make of it. There is no perfect spot. There are good and bad at each and every one of them. The key to being successful is to focus on what you were hired to do and use your free time to do what you've always want to do.

Good luck to all those at the fairs. Remember to smile, ask a lot of questions and be honest. Often times it really is like taking a leap of faith.

There are a lot of online American Universities that offer teaching license + Masters degree online. One of them being USC (Southern Cal), though it is very expensive. Just Google teaching masters programs online and you'll get a ton of results. You'll have to do student teaching, but many school districts in the states offer year-round schools. Your program, if it is any good, will assist you with this. Good luck!

I found Germany to be way more racist than Japan. The Japanese are wonderful. Yes they stick to their own. But they are way more curious about you and will make a effort to engage in conversation and practice theri English with you.

Germans were cold, moody and some of them most unfriendliest people I've ever met. It was a few years ago, maybe they've learned how to smile?

You can't live your life in fear. When it is your time, it is your time. We have lived overseas for 10 years. First in Europe, now Asia. Each has it's own set of differnt issues. But each offered something that our home country, Canada, couldn't. Next year will be year 11. It will also be our last overseas. There will be culture shock. But we've loved our time overseas. We're just ready and prepared to go back home.

My advice, pick a country in a region that you've always want to explore. Weigh your options. Read blogs of expats living there. Research, research and research. Then take a deep breath and go for it!

When I worked in Western Europe there would be alcohol on campus. In Germany every Friday after school we would hold a Stammtisch. It was great fun, until we would be joined by upper management. Especially the Assistant Head of School. She would get so drunk and loud that her annoying upper mid-west accent that was made famous in a Cohen Brother's movie would begin to annoy you even more than it usually did. It is wildly known that she has a very big drinking problem. At an engagement . this year she drank so much that when she tried to carry a tray full of filled Champagne glasses she couldn't make it more than 10 feet before she tripped over herself and spilled that tray and perfectly good Champagne all over herself.

I can understand why the OP is posting this. If you can't handle the drinking, don't do it. If you make a fool out of yourself like this soon to be retiring Assistant Head of School has over and over again at both school and out of school functions, stop drinking or seek professional help. Because the atmosphere that you create at work because of your illness not be a positive one.