American International School Jo'burg
American International School Jo'burg
Does anyone have any insight on living in S. Africa? The package looks good for AISJ..but my husband and I have reservations about living in a gated community. Is it easy to travel?
American International School Johannesburg
Living in a gated community in South Africa is usually a good experience. They are secure premises without giving the feeling of being "closed in". Children are free to wander within the safe confines of the usually large grounds, which are usually well maintained. I do not know this particular community, but have lived in others in South Africa.
It is easy to leave the gated community and travel provided you have your own transport. Public transport in South Africa is unreliable and not well set up yet. Check www. autotrader.co.za for reasonably priced, reliable second hand vehicles.
It is easy to leave the gated community and travel provided you have your own transport. Public transport in South Africa is unreliable and not well set up yet. Check www. autotrader.co.za for reasonably priced, reliable second hand vehicles.
Living in S. Africa
Did you travel a lot in S. Africa? How was that? How did you get around? What about crime issues?
American International School, Johannesburg
We bought a car from the autotrader website I gave you. We travelled the length and breadth of the country. The roads are good (you pay tolls, but that ensures the upkeep of the roads).
The people are friendly and will help you a lot. You have to take the crime seriously, but that does not have to restrict you. There are certain areas that you just don't go to - the locals will help you with that. This is the same as in other major cities.
Most hotels in big cities, e.g. Amsterdam or Paris will warn you not to go to certain places, especially at night and not to flaunt valuables. If you obey these simple rules in South Africa, it is fine to travel, to . at night and generally have a good time. Sensible attitudes and listening to advice is all you need.
The hype you see on TV, e.g toyi-toying (dancing and demonstrating) and violent demonstrations take place in isolated pockets. If you are living in a gated community and shopping in shopping malls, you can live in South Africa for years and not actually experience such a thing. It is just a pity that those incidents are the ones that hit the international news.
The people are friendly and will help you a lot. You have to take the crime seriously, but that does not have to restrict you. There are certain areas that you just don't go to - the locals will help you with that. This is the same as in other major cities.
Most hotels in big cities, e.g. Amsterdam or Paris will warn you not to go to certain places, especially at night and not to flaunt valuables. If you obey these simple rules in South Africa, it is fine to travel, to . at night and generally have a good time. Sensible attitudes and listening to advice is all you need.
The hype you see on TV, e.g toyi-toying (dancing and demonstrating) and violent demonstrations take place in isolated pockets. If you are living in a gated community and shopping in shopping malls, you can live in South Africa for years and not actually experience such a thing. It is just a pity that those incidents are the ones that hit the international news.
That is good to hear. I kind of thought that was how it was. Every place we have travelled has been that way. if you are careful and wise then things are OK.
We have lived in The Netherlands and Japan..very safe countries. We have travelled in S. America and Mexico and all of Asia. We are applying all over to teach, but S.Africa has contacted us and it looks fairly promising. S. Africa just was never a place I thought of living..but neither was Japan and we loved it.
Where are you ?
We have lived in The Netherlands and Japan..very safe countries. We have travelled in S. America and Mexico and all of Asia. We are applying all over to teach, but S.Africa has contacted us and it looks fairly promising. S. Africa just was never a place I thought of living..but neither was Japan and we loved it.
Where are you ?
AIS Jo'Burg
I am in Argentina. Can't wait to leave!
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Wanderlust
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:38 pm
Counting the days!
Hi Wanderlust
This is just not the place for me. The school is termed "international" but all but five or so children are local. That in itself is not a problem, the children are sweet, responsive and affectionate. But the system is very poor - suposedly PYP, but they have no idea! It is also a "bilingual" school, but actually is Spanish with some English thrown in. The reoprt system is absolutely mind boggeling. And once you have negotiated it, you are asked to change your results for certain children!! I am one of three foreign teachers in the school and things are very difficult for us. We are definitely outsiders despite trying our darndest to fit in. The training for teachers here is two years and the locals are poorly paid. They will also not speak up even if they disagree, for fear of repecussions. If you have wandered a bit (as I have) then enough said, I think.
Then the Headmaster is totally out of touch. He hides away from parents although the problems we face are mostly due to his decrees. So we have to answer to his strange decisions which affect the poor children and therefore the parents.
The conditions and salary are also not what was promised which makes for a lot of dissatisfaction. I will see my contract out, but am counting the days.
This is just not the place for me. The school is termed "international" but all but five or so children are local. That in itself is not a problem, the children are sweet, responsive and affectionate. But the system is very poor - suposedly PYP, but they have no idea! It is also a "bilingual" school, but actually is Spanish with some English thrown in. The reoprt system is absolutely mind boggeling. And once you have negotiated it, you are asked to change your results for certain children!! I am one of three foreign teachers in the school and things are very difficult for us. We are definitely outsiders despite trying our darndest to fit in. The training for teachers here is two years and the locals are poorly paid. They will also not speak up even if they disagree, for fear of repecussions. If you have wandered a bit (as I have) then enough said, I think.
Then the Headmaster is totally out of touch. He hides away from parents although the problems we face are mostly due to his decrees. So we have to answer to his strange decisions which affect the poor children and therefore the parents.
The conditions and salary are also not what was promised which makes for a lot of dissatisfaction. I will see my contract out, but am counting the days.
Please share the name
Hi, I would love to know the name of the school in Argentina -thanks for sharing.