Thanks for the advice everyone. Much appreciated.

Hi all,

I'm considering signing up with Search Associates this summer to help me in my job search for next year. I've read through all the instructions on their webpage but have a couple of questions:

Can anyone who's used Search tell me what type of references they ask for- all it seems to say is "Search Associates requires a minimum of four online confidential references". Do they all have to be former Principals/Directors? Because I only have one from my last school that I'm still in contact with. Can I use Heads of Departments? Are colleagues frowned up? (even though they, in my opinion, know me better as a teacher compared with a Director)

And secondly, has anyone had luck finding a job through Search only by using their database? I only have one teaching area and the last fair I went to was a big disappointment as, by the time the fair arrived, there were less than 5 openings in my subject area. So I'm hoping I can have luck with Search by only using the database.

Lastly, I'm wondering if I would even be considered a 'strong' candidate (I emailed a Search Associate for advice and he said 'yes', but I took that with a grain of salt). I taught previously overseas for six years and have IB training. I have since returned to my home country where I have been stuck substitute teaching for the past three years in the vain hope of getting a full-time job. Will this substitute teaching look bad on my application? I really to go back to international teaching.

Thanks very much in advance.

Hi all,

I've recently applied to a new international boarding school in Asia- the advert gave no details as to any 'boarding duties' other than a vague reference to "participating in residential activities".

I know boarding schools vary quite dramatically, but can anyone out there give me their knowledge or experiences of teaching/living in an international boarding school ? Do you get paid extra for boarding duties or is it all included in your salary? Is there any work/life balance?

Thanks very much in advance.

I've researched quite a bit about this school as I was interested a while back... it's a fairly new school. Canadian (Alberta) curriculum.

If you're a new teacher, might be a decent place to start, especially if you're wanting to work in the Middle East region.

Location: located quite far from downtown in the new developments outside of Abu Dhabi (Khalifa B?) . Approx a 30-40 minute drive to downtown. You need to buy a car there- not much in the way of public transport.

package: free housing (apartments), utilities, flight, one year contract, basic health care (I would ask carefully about this)

school life: heard the staff is friendly with a mix of singles and family/married folk.

housing: school owned apartments. From what I've found out, some are located near the school, so way out in the sticks in the middle of nowhere.

life for a family with young kids: can't help you there. You spend alot of time indoors in air-conditioned places- malls, etc.

Not sure how important salary is to you, but you might be interested in the International School of Sosua in the Dominican Republic. I had friends that taught there. It's located in a small town, has clean air, is near the ocean, lots of opportunities to get to know the local community, lots of tropical wilderness to explore, though limited after a while I would suppose as you are landlocked on an island....
However the salary is really low so keep that in mind.

I'm similar to you in wanting to teach in a small town/city/region. I hate big cities, but as previous posters have mentioned, most international schools, especially the big, stable, well-resourced ones, are in large cities.

Some great suggestions here, and I echo all of them, esp. PsyGuy's comprehensive list. (Oh, and btw, a Ped Egg is like a foot scrub for calloused feet! (I know this b/c I'm female and obsessed with smooth feet... lol)

ANYWAY,
I have to say it really grinds my gears when teacher overseas complain that they can't get something in their preferred brand. Sorry Americans, but what is up with you and your need for Skippy peanut butter??!! I've never had it- does it have crack or something else in it because I can't tell you the number of times American teachers are devastated that they can't get Skippy pb.

So, in my experience, you can get most things overseas, just not brand name. And I've lived in some hole-in-the-wall places. Local brands work just fine. Sometimes, certain things will be much more expensive, so you simply have to adjust your habits. For example, where I taught on an island, cereal (all brands) was incredibly expensive, so I just switched to oatmeal. I've used local hair dye, local shampoo, local toothpaste, and yes, even peanut butter (lol). Everything.

Having said that, this is what I always pack (I also generally stick with two suitcases).

Laptop/Ipod. I found in my first international posting, when I moved into my flat, it was dead quiet. It can take a while to get internet and/or tv hooked up, so I find it's important to have portable music with me. Makes my new place feel more like a home.

External hard drive. I back up all my school/work/personal files as well as movies/tv series on an external hard drive.

My professional portfolio with all my original documents (degrees, birth certificates, all that stuff.) This stays with me in my carry-on luggage. Scan and leave a copy of EVERYTHING with someone trusted back home just in case. I also have all the digital copies on my external hard drive.

I also bring a Costco sized bottle of Ibuprofen with me because I've found that it can sometimes be more expensive overseas and I tend to use alot of it. Certain types of vitamins can also be hard and/or expensive to buy. I tend to bring an arsenal of over-the-counter medicine with me just in case.

Like someone else mentioned, converters and adapters for the different plugs overseas. I bring two of each, because the small ones are easy to lose.

What not to bring:

I find I tend to pack more clothes than necessary. Be ruthless with clothes packing.

Also, I find it helpful to email teachers already at the school/country, and they can advise you on things that might be hard and/or expensive to purchase there.

Having taught in France for a number of years, I fell in love in Europe and have regretted leaving ever since. Hence, my dream list is Europe-heavy:

Denmark (PsyGuy- how do I get a job here?!!)
Iceland (there's no international school here, though, as far as I know...)
the Netherlands
Slovenia
Croatia
Montenegro
Belgium
Czech Rep.
Estonia
Latvia
Norway
Panama
Mexico (not Mexico City, though)
Cuba
Nicaragua
Ireland
Curaçao

Team PsyGuy!

I know of one international school in Afghanistan: the International School of Kabul (http://iskafghan.org/). Grades 4- 12.
It's partly run by Oasis International Schools, so possibly Christian influenced. It's currently recruiting ...

Hi all. Can anyone offer anything about this bilingual school in Madrid? Their website doesn't really give any information about the salary/package. Do they only hire EU nationals? Reputation/working conditions, etc. Any and all information much appreciated.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this British-style school in Bangkok? I haven't been able to find much online and their website doesn't give any information regarding overseas hires or the staff currently there, for that matter. Any information about the school would be much appreciated. Thanks to all in advance.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the Riverside school in Prague? Reputation, package and lifestyle in Prague in general? I know the school is Christian and am wondering to what extent... It apparently admits non-religious students as well. I've visited Prague briefly before so have a general idea of the city. Thank you in advance to any replies- the info on this forum is invaluable!

Does anyone have any knowledge of the new international branch of the Shenzhen Foreign Language School in China or life in general for a single person in Shenzhen?

Alternately, any info from teachers that have had experience working with Dipont- working conditions, savings potential, etc.

Any and all info much appreciated.

Hi all;

Does anyone have any knowledge of this fairly new school in HCMC/Saigon: American School of Vietnam?

I'm also interested in life in general in HCMC. Although I've lived in developing countries before, I've never lived in a large Asian city and am a bit concerned about the pollution and general chaos of it all. Do you need a car to get by or can you get by using public transport/taxis?

Any info much appreciated- thanks in advance.

Looking for any information about this fairly new school in Abu Dhabi (located in Kalifa A)- reputation, working conditions, life in Abu Dhabi for a single person, etc.
Any and all information much appreciated.