Tokyo v Hong Kong?

[Traveller1]

Well Itchy my boy it sounds like you got in through the back door - such a touchy response.

Given that you've worked at a Tier 1 school in Japan and Bangkok I'm surprised at your poor reading skills. Whether you think my opinion is idiotic or not doesn't mean that I acknowledge having no idea of what I'm talking about. Good grief, how did you get a job at any of those schools?

Here's the basis for my assumptions - Android says on Page 2:

"2) It's highly competitive to get in : Most teachers in the staff are veterans in Japan ( have been here for over 10 years, married to Japanese citizens, have children here etc etc ). No one ever leaves as the situation is more often good than bad. The salary is too high to walk away from even after the high prices. Hiring is kept within the small circle of international schools or big competitive fairs, usually held in Cambridge, London or Bangkok."

Was it the Japanese wives that you objected to or the small circle of international schools (the backdoor)?

There is no refutation from you top tier posters that this is a load of horse manure. My observation is spot on and you're the one being idiotic. Stop being coy here, there's nothing in that post that comes as a surprise to either of us. The network exists and I know of several people who got their jobs though connections, often management positions.

As much as you can't or won't skip over PsyGuy's posts, if I'm following a discussion I'm not going to skip over yours. Besides much of what you say is good advice. It's just the constant PsyGuy bashing that goes on that I object to. Well mostly.

[Android]

To be honest, it's not the Japanese spouses that are the reasons to stay. Some teachers came onto the teaching staff as highly qualified singles. Perhaps, they found the Japanese spouses so they can stay for the long run. This might be a bit over the top for me to say, but it does happen.

[Glerky]

I liked your post psyguy...


I just think that an 'easy' lifestyle in relation to the salary in some of the cities you mention would be difficult.

Places, like Milan, might be great but if you have to tutor to make ends meet then it ain't the place for me.

I have worked at the big powerhouse Asian schools and I have worked at the big powerhouse middle eastern ones and I have worked at the big powerhouse European ones so...

If I have to retire there and work there for way too many years... I pick Europe...maybe... ISBrussels, ASHague, FranfurtIS, Geneva, AISVienna or another like it.

Why?

For me they allow for good travel ops. They are close to my home of record. They have good retirement plans. Health care is good. Safe. Salary will let me live a good lifestyle. They also have some employment protection. I have seen some crazy things happen when teachers get on the wrong side of the wrong admin or parent and I would like to know that I have some recourse.

Alright psyguy... your turn... one shot....one place... rest of your working life.... Where?


Glerk

PS - I'll probably end up in Asia. :)

[PsyGuy]

One shot all the way to retirement at 60 (which is 25+ years away for me):

I.S. Suva (Fiji)

Slow time, island, tropic life (without city craziness). Good health care, nice labor law protections, good retirement set up at the school. Preferential treatment for Americans/Westerners. On the expensive side if you dont live off the economy (which at a certain point pretty quickly id have totally assimilated). Students are all pretty bright. School doesnt have any negative reports. Oh and its F-I-J-I.

[Glerky]

You live in Denmark so I imagine that Fiji is looking pretty awesome about this time of year.

Looked up the school and it looks nice. I imagine it's hard to get into though.

G

[Roundtrip]

For those of you who have worked or are working in Japan, can you tell me if the schools hire people in their 60's? I'm 61 and don't want to waste my time sending applications/resumes if the country will not issue me a work visa.