Thanks, Guys. The information is very helpful.

You guys have been downplaying the safety/security element of teaching overseas for years, often stating that these incidents, like the recent Istanbul bar massacre, happen much more frequently in the U.S.

Why the sudden turnaround?

Reisigio,

Serious question: Are you Armenian? You seem to hate Turkey.

Ok. I just got offered a job in Istanbul.

What would a good salary/benefit package be?

I have no problem turning down the job. No problem at all.

Reisgio,

So, do you recommend Istanbul or not?

I was working in China in the 1999 when Clinton bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.

We were told to be careful and stay in, but none of us did. Nobody that I know had any problems. The Chinese are a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them. They understood - and understand - that Americans are not responsible for the actions of the U.S. government, just like any intelligent foreigner understands that most Chinese are not responsible for the actions of their government.

The death knell for international education - meaning when IE was no longer an oasis of great pay, cheap travel, good schools - was the internet, which opened the world of IE to everyone, mainly young kids with no experience but a willingness to work for peanuts. In my experience, these kids also provide the added benefit of being mild and malleable. In my day, youth spoke out and were a catalyst for change. Now, a twenty-something (or even 30-something) is a YES man, sucking up to the principal and playing the political game in order to keep their paltry salaries.

What happened to make these kids so cowardly?

I taught IB HL Math and a little physics and NOBODY was ever was willing to negotiate salary.

It makes me laugh when teachers,of, say, English or middle school social studies, think they are so special that they can leverage their "uniqueness" into additional benefits, while the rest of us mere mortals have to accept what the school offers.

I am assuming that this relatively new idea is being put forth by younger teachers. You know, those who were brought up being told every day that everything they did was wonderful and magical and they deserved only good things.

DUI? You'll fit right in overseas.

If you come to school reeking of booze too, they might even make you principal.

You answered your own question.

(I left China after 8 years just when the pollution was getting bad. )

I am thinking about making this my last year teaching U.S. public high school math. I can collect my pension and move on.

As I am only in my mid-50's, I am thinking about going back to teach overseas but I want a nice, low stress country and school.

If I can't find one, I will just teach in a private school here in the U.S. - the rules allow me to collect my public school pension and then move on to a private school.

I was thinking about just retiring overseas and starting a small business, but I think I still love to teach too much.

A warm/hot place would be great.

That's the reason for my recent posts on Africa, Turkey, etc.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks for any help.

How about these countries? How is living there? Quality? Cost? Travel? Food?

Again, anything would be appreciated.

How is the quality of life in Istanbul? Food? Cost of living? Travel? Air, water quality?

Anything would be appreciated.

Anyone know anything about living in Rabat? The package is good - 48K for M + 8 years - but how is the city? Climate? Culture?

Fine Dude hit it right on the head.

It is so hard to find a good international school because of the transient nature of the admin. One year all is well and you are ready to continue on the path to excellence then a new head or principal comes in and they have to build their resumes so that they can get their next job so they get rid of what works or tweak what has been working or decide to implement the Common Core or Standards Based Assessment or Inquiry Based Learning or...

Let me tell you about the ONLY time I decided that I took the bird in the hand rather than take a risk and wait for the real recruiting season to start.

I took an early job in November at a school that was ok, but not one I would ever have considered on my own. I felt pretty good - the pressure was off, I could cancel my job fair hotel, and concentrate on enjoying Christmas break, rather than preparing resumes and covers for the fair.

Yeah, I felt pretty pleased with myself until a rash of jobs in my field - IB Math - began to be posted and I got emails asking if I would be interested in interviewing.

So unless you really want to work at this school that has offered, I agree with Psyguy that you are settling, maybe out of fear, maybe because you have been indoctrinated to go for the sure thing.

No guts, No glory.