I would take a lot of comments on here with a big grain of international sea salt. When you start interviewing, Skyping, and going to job fairs you'll get a better/clearer picture of the schools you're interested in.

I think if you email them through the Search site - as opposed to their own independent email - they will be directly linked to your profile. I had great success with this and pretty much landed my job this way.

This coming academic year as in 2014-2015? It's not over but it's a little late in the game. I would venture to say most of the better schools did their hiring in December and wrapped it up by the end of January. Sign up with Search Associates. There are still some job fairs but the pickins' might be slim. Things do open up even at 'better' schools as people sometimes drop out of their contracts for various reasons.

This is my first foray into international teaching. I started the process last August and landed a really great job. What I've learned is to start early...don't limit yourself/cast a wide net...take every interview (you can always say 'no') 'cause you never know where it will lead. I interviewed with a school I wasn't 100% interested in but it led me to a top tier fantastic job that I'm so excited about!

Thanks, Mathman...sounds a little complex for me, though! :)

Search Associates still has some job fairs. I think they are the best. Some may disagree, but I had a great experience with them. Search and ISS, I think, are the top two recruiting agencies on the international circuit. The heavy recruiting was in January but there are probably last minute cancellations of contracts. People drop out or don't go for various reasons. I need to reread your post...are you looking to teach ESL or regular classroom teaching?

Thanks, Heyteach. I'm going to get all my bills sent to me online so I won't have any paper bills.(I pretty much do that now) Hopefully I can pare it down to just a few things. Do you have your mail forwarded to you abroad or forwarded to your trusted friend?

What do people do about their mail? Does the post office (in the U.S.) have a service that will collect it? Or, do most of you have a friend collect if for you?

Thanks for all the tips!

Thanks, Heyteach. I didn't think about the trash. I think it's paid for through my property taxes which I'll still have to pay, so can't cancel that. But, am going to disconnect my tv - don't want to pay for it if I'm not there. I'm assuming (and hoping) my utility bill will be really small since I won't be using any water and just a tiny bit of electricity for a little heat and maybe a little air conditioning. I have a programable thermostat which really keeps the heat/aircon down.I just have a feeling I'm going to get to my school having forgotten to do something.

Others have mentioned calling insurance company but how would they know if someone is in the house or not? Why would it be a penalty if no one is there?

Thanks, all, for these tips. I hadn't thought about turning off the water. I knew I had to keep the heat on low so the pipes won't freeze. I'm in Maryland in the states so winters can be cold...some winters are colder than others. I wonder if there is a charge from the utility company to turn it off or is that something I can do myself? So many things to think of!

I am moving abroad and will be leaving my house empty. Anyone have any suggestions or advice about this? I own my house and my mortgage is very low and manageable so I'm just going to leave everything intact. I'm going to unplug everything and pay a friend to stop by once or twice a month to check on it. Of course I'll set the heat low so the pipes don't freeze in the winter. I'm leaving in July and will come back in December then probably again the following June. Just wondering if anyone else has done this.

Thanks!

This is distressing that no one has replied.

I don't know, Dawson, maybe being a man (gay or straight) in the ME is a whole lot better than being a woman in the ME. Having lived and traveled abroad I always try to respect other countries and their cultures. But, it's hard for me to 'respect' the oppression of women in many ME countries. (not all, I know) I mean going to the police because you were raped and then YOU are thrown in jail??!! That kind of stuff is just unfathomable to me.

I lived in Tokyo for 5 years and felt very safe and had many gay friends who never felt unsafe in any way. I'm heading back to Asia (not Japan) and just feel that it is safer and more accepting of gays, women, and 'western' culture in general.

I was offered a few jobs in the ME and did consider some of them, but the cultural aspect of being a western woman living in a ME country is something that has to be considered. That issue doesn't even cross my mind when deciding on accepting a position in Asia.

Good luck to you I hope you feel happy and safe where you are!

Thanks...this is so helpful!

Anybody have anything more recent? Reviews on paid side are older.

Thanks!

journey61 wrote:
> Dawson, I guess that would depend on what you would consider difficult. I
> think in my research I found one Middle Eastern country in which being gay
> isn't considered illegal. I have friends living in the ME and have no
> personal bias against the ME, but I'm not crazy about the idea of moving to
> a country where I could be thrown into jail, or worse, simply for who I am.
> I've read many articles about this. Here's one if you are interested:
>
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wor ... minalized/
@journey61 - While I am not gay I am a female and understand completely what you're saying. I always respect cultures and traditions of other countries but the ME is a whole 'nother ball of wax. I, too, feel I could end up in jail for some ridiculous reason - like being a Western woman and acting in the way I normally do. I might accidentally kiss my date on the cheek or hold hands while shopping...Glad I'm headed east to Asia..it's much more western.