[quote="frees1spirit"]I have lived in London and would again if I could get into that school. My friend lives very well on his salary and saves. The salary is tax free also.

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Free of US taxes, yes, but the school quotes deductions for taxes and other reasons at 32%.

[quote="psychbio"]Thank you so much to all of you who replied. It definitely madde us feel better about the possibility. We just accepted jobs in Europe, but Beijing would have been good too.[/quote]

And would have let you save some $$$$. :D

In Beijing, the biggies are WAB and ISB. BCIS, BSB, DCD, Harrow and Yew Chung are also solid schools with their good and bad points (but will not put you at risk of getting ripped off or put into a chaotic environment).

The Canadian school is also supposed to be fine but pays around 10K less a year then the other 2nd tier schools.

[quote="KelBel"]Just thought it would be good to chime in here to add that I had a 2 hour interview with QSI a few weeks ago and religion and morals never came up once. It was a comfortable, great interview and we accepted a position. Since then, I have been in close contact with 4 teachers at my "new school" and again, religion has never been mentioned. Perhaps the recruiter is aware of which principals are ultra-religious or homophobic and does his best to prevent a catastrophic hiring situation.[/quote]

Heya KelBel:

How's it going? Getting excited about the move (or still overhwhelmed by the million things that need to get done)?

We have used some super cheap black duffle bags that we got at Walmart. They weighed almost nothing, held quite a bit and arrived in China in good shape.

I would definitely keep Beijing high on your list. There a number a very good schools here and even the second tier schools offer a very nice package/lifestyle. There are many good size parks in the city and outdoor/hiking opportunities on the weekends (hiking to and on the Great Wall for example). Many of the expat areas out by some of the larger int'l schools are wide open and nicely landscaped and you could think you were in South Florida if you didn't know better.

We have been here since July and live closer into downtown but even here you don't really get a sense of an oppressively busy noisy city. When we do hear a car horn it is noticable because of how infrequently it happens. There are many restaurants and shopping opportunities and parks within walking distance and it is not all intimidating to be out and about. We just went to a temple fair for the New Year and it was one of the few times since we have been here that I felt crowded.

As for the pollution. While I can't say it's not on our minds, strangely it is not really an oppressive or life interfering issue. It really has not been the problem I was expecting. Basically we can go weeks where the skies are blue and the air clear, then you may get a few mediocre days, maybe a couple of really nasty ones, then back to clear skies. We just recently had 36 straight days of real blue sky days (a new record apparently). Since we have been here, there have really only been a few days where you just look outside and dread going out (and even then you go and it's not like you are choking on every breath).

So, to sum up. I really like it here and many families seem to agree!

[quote="koda"][quote="frees1spirit"]The American School in London pays pretty well. I have a friend there and he's never leaving.

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I have a friend who attended school there and said it's a great school. Also, I know someone who works there now, been there for more than 5 years- and they seem to have very low staff turnover. Seems like a great place to work... it's on my list of schools to try and teach at once I get some international experience.[/quote]

Maybe, but London is expensive. They pay 70K but still estimate that a teaching cpl can only save $3000.00? Not that money is everything, but just something to be aware of.

If you get an offer from BCIS, take it. I am very close with someone that teaches there (and have coached there). Very solid school, good facilities and a package right up there with ISB. Beijing is great!

I'm going to disagree a bit with some posters. If you read many of the reviews on ISR, they often talk about admin. staff with little to no experience. They often don't say positive things, true, but still.

He may find an admin. job at a smaller school or in a less desirable location, but it's certainly worth applying. If he does go overseas as a teacher, he may be able to turn a leadership role into an admin. spot by being in the right place at the right time.

Go for it! Good school, solid facilities and a package right up there with ISB and WAB.

Very few schools in the UK will allow you to save anything (as virtually none pay any kind of housing). Possibly Aberdeen in Scotland. Although I would love to hear differently from someone.

We have American friends (not teachers) who are living in Alex. They are being evacuated as we speak.

Word is that the package does not go as far as it used to and school has gone downhill a bit (but still a quality school and the best one in the region).

I would agree that crashing a fair is a waste of time and would seriously question a school that would reward that kind of behavior with an interview, much less a job.

The only exception to that would be if you have tried to get into a fair and it's full, I have heard of people contacting schools and offering to make themself available around the time and place of the fair. If you are a strong enough candidate, some schools may be interested.

Depends on if you are happy with the offer. We got both of our jobs this year via Skype interview and are very happy in China.

If you have concerns about the school or the package do some more research. The fact of it being an offer via Skype interview by itself should not concern you. If you feel that based on your experience and qualifications you could do much better in terms of school, package or location, then take the chance and go to a fair.