No train wreck really, only one division on one campus having problems. But I suppose if you happen to be in that division it might seem like the whole school is sinking. Actually, the school is doing quite well, especially the happier campus by the sea.

Hi there. I am currently at said school and my family has used the health care here extensively. The private health insurance we have is good, not superb. There are deductables and copays so you do end up paying some out of pocket. But the school has a wellness benefit which covers much of the out of pocket stuff. Overall, the insurance would cover most things but not all. As for health care in Shanghai, well that's another story. This is a place where first appearances provide a false expectation of high quality. Many of the hospitals have all the gadgets and seem clean and well resourced. The problem lies in finding doctors with expertise. For very serious medical issues most people need to leave the country. China still does not have international standard medical care (ie comparable to what we have in the US, Canada, UK, etc). For small health issues, this is not a problem. For major traumas, it is. Good luck with your application to SAS, it is a very good school with some great teachers.

Hi out of towner, I am currently living and teaching at an international school in Taipei and perhaps I can give you some current advice. If the school is the one I am thinking of (named after a Republic in the Caribbean) then stay away from it. Said school has currently failed to renew the contracts of four good foreign teachers simply because they feel they can hire cheaper teachers. There is no management structure to this school and no salary scale as teachers negotiate their own pay. The salaray quoted (70 000) is quite low for international teaching in Taiwan and a young inexperienced teacher would be on something like 90 000 NT$ at one of the better schools. However, asking for a salary of 140 000 NT$ would be unreasonable as even TAS wouldn't pay that for a new teacher. However, as one poster indicated, the overall package for an overseas hire should be around 140 000 for a new teacher. The school in question does not provide overseas packages to any teachers which is another reason to avoid it. If you really want to come to Taiwan, I suggest coming to teach English over the summer, trying to get supply work at Taipei American School next academic year and then once you have your foot in the door, getting a full time position there. That still won't make you an overseas hire though which means you will never get the housing allowance or flights home. Or better yet, go to a job fair as someone already suggested. Best of luck but avoid the school named after a Catholic order (if my hunch is correct)