The International Schools Review Forum

My husband and I have interviews at ASB, and we have heard many mixed reviews about this school. There seem to be many complaints about both adminstration and about salary vs. cost of living. Can anyone give us some more specific information?

The administration isnt horrible, they just think that they are the best, and act elitist.

You cant really save any money. There is no housing allowance, and taxes are very high (about 40%). Those are the biggest concerns.

You will barely live pay cheque to pay cheque. Many of the staff share an apartment so they will have some money to spend on the fun things to so in the city.

Has anything changed here since the last review a few years back?

@tsalicco

No, not really. Not in any way that matters.

Actually, a few things have changed there in the past 4 years, and I think these things could matter to some people. First, they built a new elementary school and Early Childhood center. This was something that was supposed to happen about 10 years ago, so the fact that it finally was built is kind of a miracle. The school also now gives new teachers flights home every year, and a decent resigning bonus. The curriculum has improved too in the lower grades. Many international schools are adopting reading and writing workshop, and so has ASB. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is way better than what they used to have in place for literacy instruction.

With that being said, I am sure it is still extremely hard to save money. The city is amazing though. And as for the Administration acting elitist....yea, that is pretty much correct.

My post was more about the experience of a new IT to ASB walking in the door, for the first time.
If youd been there a decade then a new building is certainly something thats a worthy difference, but if you came into the IS after the new capitol projects than a building doesnt add to the experience since you have have nothing to compare it too.

Reading and writing workshop is a substantial improvement, but thats because ASB didnt have anything before, it was an adhoc curriculum and some of the teachers were using aspects of RWW before it was formally implemented.

The flights is good though, they use to only offer flights during contract resigning years and it was a factor/portion of your resigning bonus (you could get more if you indicated you didnt require airfare).

PsyGuy wrote:
> My post was more about the experience of a new IT to ASB walking in the
> door, for the first time.
> If youd been there a decade then a new building is certainly something
> thats a worthy difference, but if you came into the IS after the new
> capitol projects than a building doesnt add to the experience since you
> have have nothing to compare it too.
>
> Reading and writing workshop is a substantial improvement, but thats
> because ASB didnt have anything before, it was an adhoc curriculum and some
> of the teachers were using aspects of RWW before it was formally
> implemented.
>
> The flights is good though, they use to only offer flights during contract
> resigning years and it was a factor/portion of your resigning bonus (you
> could get more if you indicated you didnt require airfare).

You and I must have worked there at different times because they never offered flights for the years I worked at ASB. The resigning bonus when I worked there was only a few hundred euros. Interesting to learn!

zanyplum wrote:
> PsyGuy wrote:
> > My post was more about the experience of a new IT to ASB walking in the
> > door, for the first time.
> > If youd been there a decade then a new building is certainly something
> > thats a worthy difference, but if you came into the IS after the new
> > capitol projects than a building doesnt add to the experience since you
> > have have nothing to compare it too.
> >
> > Reading and writing workshop is a substantial improvement, but thats
> > because ASB didnt have anything before, it was an adhoc curriculum and some
> > of the teachers were using aspects of RWW before it was formally
> > implemented.
> >
> > The flights is good though, they use to only offer flights during contract
> > resigning years and it was a factor/portion of your resigning bonus (you
> > could get more if you indicated you didnt require airfare).
>
> You and I must have worked there at different times because they never offered
> flights for the years I worked at ASB. The resigning bonus when I worked there was
> only a few hundred euros. Interesting to learn!
--------------------------
What makes you think he's worked there?

I don't. I am being facetious. I worked there for many years and I experienced none of what he said.

Oh.........my bad. Your sarcasm was way too subtle for me.

Flights were an option, I didnt word my reply very well. You could 'get more' by negotiating a flight over the resigning bonus. It wasnt an option for everyone. Not everyone gets the same resigning options, there was certainly flexibility for some staff members over others.

PsyGuy wrote:
> Flights were an option, I didnt word my reply very well. You could 'get
> more' by negotiating a flight over the resigning bonus. It wasnt an option
> for everyone. Not everyone gets the same resigning options, there was
> certainly flexibility for some staff members over others.


Now that I think about it, there is definitely some truth to that statement. I had heard you could negotiate a bit depending upon your position. Totally different admin now so not sure if that is still the case.