Congrats jbiersteker! I remember being in Korea back in 2006 after a missile test. It was a little tense when we visited the DMZ, but otherwise, life went on just fine. I understand the parental freak out...definitely dealing with it on this end.

Thanks, everyone for the input. I did ask around quite a bit before declining the offer I had and spent two solid days agonizing over the choice in front of me. Ultimately it came down to people I know who are from that country telling me not to go. Maybe I overreacted, but what's done is done. C'est la vie... :)

I also have the luxury of having a great job here in the States to fall back on - I'm not going to starve without an international teaching job...but my life will be much less interesting!

I have definitely enjoyed the fact that almost every day there's a new posting. I feel like there is hope. The interview I was supposed to have this week never happened - they must have filled it already, which is fine. I'll keep on keeping on.

I've had just enough luck so far to keep my hopes up...and my stress level high. I came home disappointed from the UNI fair, having come in a close 2nd for 2 great jobs. Shortly after, got contacted by a school through Search and ultimately was offered the position. I turned it down because I wasn't convinced the country was politically stable (I'm single with a small child and so safety is really important).

I've been contacted by a couple other schools and even have an interview scheduled for later this week. But again, serious political hot spots. Ugh. I'm getting enough interest that I know there's hope of landing a job, so I'm still kind of waiting... I realize I won't be getting my dream job in a tier 1 school, but I'd take a tier 3 in a safe, stable location just to get started.

So, to answer your question...there is stuff going on at this point.

Does anyone have any experience with the Search Associates spring fairs? I know a lot of interviewing happens over Skype once the February Fairs are over, but I'm considering going to London in April.

It seems the Dubai fair has a lot of middle east jobs and the Bangkok fair has a lot of Asians jobs. Does it then follow the London fair might have a lot of Europe jobs? No schools have registered just yet, but does anyone know if that is historically true?

I can't remember who, but a while back, someone mentioned European schools were often late to run their vacancies. Can anyone confirm that? Is that typical?

I have so appreciated all the helpful tips and advice I've been reading on here for the last few months. I'm hoping someone out there can answer this for me...

I'm interested in a position in Beirut, but am having a hard time with the so-called CNN Effect. I have a student from there and for the last 2 years, I've heard wonderful things about Lebanon and the people (and I love the food!). From what I can tell, the school looks pretty good and the position is exactly what I want to teach...but is it safe? I'm a single woman in my 30s and my young son is coming with me.

Does anyone have any experience living there recently? Syria is so close... I know there's no predicting future conflict - and I fully understand I can be shot here in the States at my local movie theater or even my school - but I want to avoid walking into a known danger zone, especially with my only child.

I'd said I'd go anywhere BUT the ME, but this school has me intrigued far more than I thought it would. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I've been lurking for months, but this is my first post. I could echo everything escapeartist said... I'm grateful to all of you for your insight into this process! I, too, am gearing up for my first fair (UNI) and feel SO much more prepared.

escapeartist - I'm also coming from Texas and am dreading the crazy cold temps this weekend!

Trojan - thanks for the tip about the pizza place!