Hello All,
Just curious to know about these schools if you have first hand information.
Graded in Brazil
Korea International School
Nido De Aguilas in Chile
Just doing some research and wondering what work life balance is? Also, I know there has been information posted on some or all of these schools in the past, but things do change. So I would like updated information. I would be traveling with a middle school aged child.
Thanks in advance for your insight.
Graded, Korea International School and Nido De Aguilas Chile
Which KIS campus are you asking about? There is one that is very close to Seoul and another on Jeju, an island off the south coast of the peninsula. They are very different to describe owing to their locations. Also Jeju is only 3 years old while the Pangyo campus has been around for awhile.
Jeju is currently grades 1-10 with 11th being added next year. Still a new school and figuring things out but on the right track. It is located in the Global Education City which includes 2 other international schools. Lots of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and surfing. Work/life balance is reasonable.
Both schools are primarily Korean students although many of the Pangyo kids have foreign passports. The Jeju campus allows Korean nationals. Both are connected to YBM and are for profit.
Jeju is currently grades 1-10 with 11th being added next year. Still a new school and figuring things out but on the right track. It is located in the Global Education City which includes 2 other international schools. Lots of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and surfing. Work/life balance is reasonable.
Both schools are primarily Korean students although many of the Pangyo kids have foreign passports. The Jeju campus allows Korean nationals. Both are connected to YBM and are for profit.
What specifically do you want to know about Graded? It is a very good school. In a lot of ways it is more American than International. You will work very hard there. The hours are long and a lot is expected of you. That being said, the kids are wonderful and you will have some amazing, professional colleagues that you can potentially learn a great deal from.
The package can vary from great to fair depending on how the real (local currency in which you are paid) is faring against your home currency.
If you have more specific questions, just ask!
The package can vary from great to fair depending on how the real (local currency in which you are paid) is faring against your home currency.
If you have more specific questions, just ask!
I would like to know how an American kid would do there. I would be traveling with a middle school aged child. I don't have a problem if it is an American school since that is where we are from. What are the working hours and what is the culture at the school? Family oriented, tight knit or other. What is it like working there with children? What is the retention rate? How is the package compared to other schools in the area? Is is safe?Thanks.
It is by far the best package in Sao Paulo. Regionally I think it is pretty good. If you have a lot of bills in the States you will not fare as well as the value of the real against the dollar continues to fall.
American kids do fine. There are a lot of teacher kids and a lot of kids whose parents work for companies of for the US consulate. That being said, the majority of kids are Brazilian - maybe 45%, but Americans probably make up the next largest demographic. There are also a lot of kids from Korea & other parts of South & Central America.
Portuguese is spoken in the hallways. Brazilian is the dominant culture of the school, but it does still have an international flavor. The international kids tend to do well socially and academically.
The working hours were officially 8-4, though everyone put in additional time either at school or at home planning, grading, emailing. It is a demanding school. Prep periods were often taken up with meetings, so you were left to find time to get these things done on your own time.
It is rather tight - knit, but because of the size & layout of the city, people tend to cluster with those in their neighborhood. I believe the retention rate was around 5-6 years. The school is good but demanding, Sao Paulo can be a difficult city.
As far as safety, in my personal experience, I had heard of people being careless & being involved in theft (purse or cell phone stolen) but no one had come to any physical danger that I was aware of in my time there.
American kids do fine. There are a lot of teacher kids and a lot of kids whose parents work for companies of for the US consulate. That being said, the majority of kids are Brazilian - maybe 45%, but Americans probably make up the next largest demographic. There are also a lot of kids from Korea & other parts of South & Central America.
Portuguese is spoken in the hallways. Brazilian is the dominant culture of the school, but it does still have an international flavor. The international kids tend to do well socially and academically.
The working hours were officially 8-4, though everyone put in additional time either at school or at home planning, grading, emailing. It is a demanding school. Prep periods were often taken up with meetings, so you were left to find time to get these things done on your own time.
It is rather tight - knit, but because of the size & layout of the city, people tend to cluster with those in their neighborhood. I believe the retention rate was around 5-6 years. The school is good but demanding, Sao Paulo can be a difficult city.
As far as safety, in my personal experience, I had heard of people being careless & being involved in theft (purse or cell phone stolen) but no one had come to any physical danger that I was aware of in my time there.