Firstly, a big thank-you to everyone who responded! I really appreciate all the above insight, you guys are amazing!

It's refreshing (if not a bit intimidating) to hear the realities I'd be facing in either situation.

Sherhazade wrote:
>
> Be careful with planning for the holiday time where pay won't be coming if
> you are being paid by the day vs a salary. The frequent 1 and 2 week breaks
> mean a loss of income every two months or so. 'm not sure your take home
> will be quite that high because of those term and half term breaks. And you
> may find much cheaper rents by staying nearer Luton, in addition to
> spending less time and money commuting.
>

^ I had no idea that half-term and term breaks were totally unpaid. I (naively) expected there would be some sort of vacation compensation!

I've re-done my numbers and deducted all the breaks as well the month of August 2016 (my contract ends in July) and as you predicted, my take home pay has declined significantly! I also threw in the round-trip flight home during Christmas and and the one-way flight home in July 2016, which caused further havoc.

I realize that behavior issues will come with the territory in either case, and was thinking along the lines of PsyGuy regarding getting a pint after a hard day's work--cute Irish/French lasses notwithstanding! ; )

I did not know the UK experience provided that much more value vs. ADEC experience, and will certainly consider that in making my decision. However, the new balance sheet has certainly made me see how much financially tighter life would be in the UK.

Thank-you for the quick and informative replies!

The compensation with Impact is roughly 110-115 GBP/work-day, and I'll be working full-time in Luton with the intention of living in St. Albans, where the monthly rent for a shared flat will be between 500 - 600 GBP/per person (utilities included).

With the help of the worksmart website for taxes+ NI and above rent deductions and rough estimates for food, I figure my take-home/discretionary income will be 13 - 14k GBP.

I realize the financial savings through ADEC blow the UK out of the water, but what appealed to me was the ability to fly to France, Germany, Poland, etc. within 2 hours and for 100 GBP, visiting world war historical sites, as well as the UK's pub culture.

Additionally, I've read up on the difficult nature of Cycle 3 boys in AD, and figured one year in the UK in a more supportive environment would be good experience before looking to the Middle East.

My logic is that sitting at 27 and single, with few family responsibilities, I could use the one year contract to get used to the challenges of international teaching and easily do my tour of Europe, then look to sign on for 2 years in the ME and save.

Some have said I'm crazy to give up the ME salary, even for one year, while others have sided with my above logic, thus my dilemma!

Hello fellow ISR members,

I have spent the last few months reading reviews and information on this extremely helpful website regarding overseas teaching, and would like some advice.

I'm a 27-year old Canadian male who is looking to teach overseas for the first time.

Recently, I was offered a teaching position in the UK through Impact Teachers, and also offered a position in Abu Dhabi through ADEC. The ADEC offer includes a 2-year no tax salary and housing, but I'm leaning towards the UK as it's a 1 year contract and will allow me to travel Europe, which I'd love to do since I'm a history buff.

Simply put, if I declined the ADEC offer this year, could I re-apply and still get hired for next year, August 2016? Some people have told me my chances would be much lower after declining this year. Is that true?

Thank-you!