I suspect a lot of members have worked or met Bill over the years. He was at some great schools and his wife, Jean, was a respected and popular school director. I can't speak for everyone, but I would never have suspected that Bill was capable of this.

This scam has been happening in Eastern/Central European cities like Prague, Bucharest, Budapest, etc. for decades.

Venezuela is on another level in terms of frustrations, FLyingpigs. How many other countries in the world can claim DAILY power outages, water rationing, political instability and violence, monetary uncertainties, some of the worst petty crime in the world (in the large cities) and the routine disappearance of essential items in the grocery store? Syria? Cuba? Perhaps North Korea? Some places have 2 or 3 of these things at any given time, but Venezuela pretty much runs the table.

If you can get in at ECA or CIPLC- either would be a pretty good gig for a first-time, single guy. Just know there will be daily frustrations.

Usually, I would agree with Dash, but Venezuela hasn't been a nice place to live in at least 10 years. So while a single lad would certainly meet some nice ladies to date there, the lack of toilet paper, milk, and other products gets quite frustrating for most people. Also, when infrastructure problems hit you DAILY like lack of running water to wash yourself in the morning or after a workout at the gym and/or the power goes out just when you wanted to watch your favorite sports team over the internet... well, that can be tough.

People try to get around these things and make their lives a little better by hoarding products when you can find them, buying a generator for when the luz goes out to at least get on the internet, storing water when it is available in big barrels so that you can wash, etc. Then there are the protests (especially in Caracas) and the schools have to close often as a result. A friend of mine lost his spring break years ago while working in Venezuela because they had to cancel so many days of school earlier in the year. And those days that were cancelled weren't necessarily sequential and some were cancelled at the last minute (meaning you can't travel since you need to be around if the school is opened the next day). You are advised not to go outside due to the protests, not to mention the crime is pretty bad at this point in Caracas, so you basically have to sit home (and remember that day you might not have running water or power).

So I would go so far as to say that Venezuela is very much a "hardship post" at this time.

I would give Venezuela a slight edge, assuming it is either CIPLC in Puerto La Cruz or ECA in Caracas. If it is one of the QSI schools, flip a coin.

Where are the postings for DODEA in Europe nowadays? Used to be mainly Germany and a few in Italy.

I agree that there are certain regions of the world and countries that are better for western males and some that are better for both genders in meeting other expats. I've always found it interesting that the same single females who are reasonably sought after for relationships in their home, western countries are sometimes ignored by the expat men in regions like Asia and Latin America. Some don't handle it well at all and are quite miserable to be around.

I also think Spedmaestro has a great point, though, about the expats who hang out in the "expat cocoon" while abroad. Seems like they are missing out on a lot. Then there are those expats who resent/dislike other expats (usually the single guys living it up) who enjoy having a life outside of work/the school and embrace the local culture.

LOL! Well said, Mathman. Completely agree.

I'm one of those greedy, uncaring, and shallow teachers who likes to eat well, live in a nice place, maybe go out a few times a month, and at the same time be able to retire comfortably by 65 or so (gasp!).

Any Administrator who had a problem with me bringing up salary at the first interview is an Administrator I wouldn't want to work with anyway.

No, it's a legitimate question. I'm with Diva on this one. I love it when other people (especially fellow educators) try to make it seem it's SHAMEFUL to try to make as much money possible in our chosen profession. Of course, it's ok for any professions to seek out the best deal for themselves, but teachers should live near poverty or at most, middle class. After all, "we didn't get into this for the money", right? Speak for yourself, Ddd! :lol:

I completely agree with Pgrass. Good international schools have a turnover rate of about 20% per year, which, in my opinion, is healthy. Some international schools have 5 or 6 years limits (or a cut down on benefits) for overseas staff. International schools are different than schools in your native country, zangy.

I second the Eastern Europe suggestion- Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Poland, etc. Many of my single male friends have raved about their social lives plus there are a few decent, well-paying schools in this region.

Escapeartist- My guess would be Phil Joslin in Argentina. That guy is an absolute buffoon.