I am currently teaching in China and will be teaching in Middle East next year. I have some questions about new school. One of my issues is visa attestment. Both my wife and I were hired (myself as teacher and her as teaching assistant). I spent 3 months getting documents getting attested and now they have them (with ME consulate seal). They know want my wife's documents attested which is very difficult as it's not a US university (it's India). I only get one or two word answers to my emails and questions - only 3 months until school year starts. On the other hand, my school in China was right on top of everything in terms of visas, etc. and very communicative. I would hate to be stuck in a ME country at the airport in 50C heat with no one to meet me nor no support. I don't know whether to go back to the US at this point, to continue to pursue this opportunity or to find another position as something does not feel right there.

I am trying to get academic transcripts attested at State Department. They were sent close to one month ago and I have yet to hear back from office of Authentication. As I am overseas the only time I can try to contact Washington DC is 11 pm - 1 am my time (12 hours time difference) and I'm often on hold for close to 45 minutes. A family member back in US is my mailing address. Has anyone else gone through the same thing? I still need to get document given consulate seal (Middle East - KW) and then sent to school after receiving transcript and diploma back. Suggestions??

Tianjin is cold during winter and very polluted. Be prepared for lots of free time spent in your apartment. March it gets better temp and pollution wise

What do schools in the Mideast do during Ramadan? Do students have a reduced schedule? Do staff (teachers) abide by no drinking or eating during the day while at school? Thoughts and experiences?

Can anyone tell me what needs to be done to authentic transcripts for teaching assignment in Kuwait? I'm a US Citizen who is not living in the US but currently in China. Do documents have to all be sent to Washington DC first - State Department and then the Kuwaiti Embassy in the US. The information I have is very confusing!

Things have calmed down since explosion - TEDA is fairly isolated from Tianjin. There used to be a subway to travel between the two cities but it's shut down necessitating a 1 1/2 hour bus line for 30 km trip. Tianjin is not a very exciting place - the weather is lousy (cold/dry winters with pollution and hot muggy summers). The selling point is that it's close to Beijing. You will save money as there isn't a lot to do here - will be more than happy to leave in 6 months. I can't speak about the schools you mentioned.

Thank you - from what I have heard the students in Chinese schools generally present less behavior issues than Middle East schools - based on what I've read on this website. But perhaps Kuwait might be easier in terms of the accessibility of Western food, expat life, less air pollution, and English language speakers which don't exist in great abundance in my city in China.

Kuwait

I am currently teaching English and Geography at Chinese school in North China. It's branch of school where students will plan on going to foreign universities and take Advanced Placement vs. Gakou. I like the school after 1 1/2 years but really want to leave the city - extremely polluted (400+ aqi today) and rather dull. I've been putting out feelers and found out about a Head of Dept. position in Middle East (KW) and was offered position. I'm still deciding whether it's worth it - actually money is better in China but could be interesting to live/teach in other part of world. For those who have taught in both China and middle east, what are pros and cons of each locale. The students would be locals/not international students as the school I'm in China. I have a few weeks to decide. Thoughts??

I'm in the same predicament - to go home or not. Will be finishing up 2 years in June. I like my school and kids are good but the city and environment are not the best - particularly when I can barely see the sky outside! Here with my wife. I am on a 2 year leave of absence from stateside teaching job. At this point it's kind of a wash, really miss home sometimes and pine for summer when return. Othertimes, looking diligently at TIE Online listings and putting out feelers for international jobs in other countries. I know once I return will start get the wanderlust itch. Perhaps a country more expat friendly and cleaner and closer to natural beauty. I gather there are others in the same predicament. Would like to hear how you solved your dilemmas.

Great advice - I am just finishing up my first year here (of a two year contract).

Also, people say how great Chinese students are but there seems to be a general lack of creativity. Students don't like to volunteer or share opinions as a rule. I work at the international portion of a Chinese school - the general way of teaching here is to have students memorize 100 words a day until they memorize 30,000 words to "Pass" TOEFL. Critical thinking, written proficiency are lacking - still the $60,000 they pay per year will buy them a spot in a medium tier US university.

I will say that China is a great place to save money - food is inexpensive (if you don't insist on all Western food) and beer is cheap (50Cents). Outside Beijing or Shanghai, you can food a good 2 bedroom flat for between 4K and 5K rmb (less than $1000) which the school will pay.

It's very safe here - traffic not mugging is the biggest safety concern.

So I would say that China is a great place to begin one's teaching career - but next year will probably be looking at less polluted warmer (I'm in north near Beijing) and more expat friendly local - if I don't go back "home" to US.