I taught 2 years in Beirut from 2000 -2002. since then, the political stability has been worse. One of the best things there was the travelling opportunities. My trips to Jordan ,Syria and Egypt were beautiful and really interesting. Unfortunately any visit to Syria can be forgotten now. A whole situation which actually makes me really sad.

Today, I would never go back.

I taught 4 years in Pudong and my second child was born in SHanghai. I'm going back there for the easter holidays to meet all my friends who are still teaching there. I left nearly 3 years and I just can't wait to bring my kids back there and enjoy the restaurants and bars of JInqiao with all of them and their kids. Might not be the traditional china but it's great for kids and family.

I'm a teacher and my husband works in the textile business. After 5 years in china , we are now in HK. The business in china is getting tough with the prices going up on the mainland. The solution for my husband's company is to start looking elswhere to other Asian country like Indonesia and back to Bangladesh. And of course, IS will lose expat kids as the companies will not post expats in china any more. Already now sending an expat with his dependents because the packages are getting too high.

Networking has lots to do about it as well.

[i]Education Allowance:
80% remission of Foundation’s school fees for up to three dependant children. Allowance provided subject to Double Benefits Rule.[/i]

http://www.esf.edu.hk/about-esf/working ... e-teachers

you need to go on the Blog of ISR., some updates have been put up.
http://internationalschoolsreview.wordpress.com/

Actually, if you are on a local contract, living mid contract is not as bad. it's not as if you 've been enjoying a full expat contract. The thing you need to know is what you would lose like july like end of year bonuses.

Reading from your other post , you are not on a overseas contract so your visa is tight to your husband right? Which means when he leaves you also to live correct? If not, one possibiltiy would be to stay at your school finish the contract and join your husband later. That is what I have done at my last school but i was on an expat contract. My husband had to move mid March for his new job but was not prepared to break my contract. So I stayed until end of June with our 2 kids. It was a 3 month separation but thanks to skype we were able to keep in touch, he could talk to our older who was 4/5 s year old at the time and see our baby who was 6 months when he left.
But of course, this solution is not everyone 's cup of tea.

if you have no choice or desire but to leave in the same time as your husband, I would not tell anything to the school unless you have a pretty good relationship with the SMT and can trust them. I also would avoid talking about it to anyone you know where you are, international schools are a very close community and gossips travel very fast.

I'm more or less in the same situation than you although we have it a bit easier as my husband's company pays for the accomodation and our kids education fees. Anyways, I still want to have an overseas contract so I am currently applying from where I am now instead of waiting to be in the country and then having to be local hired.

So, as soon as you know which country you will be relocated next , apply and explain the situation. You have big advantages , your PYP certificate and experience in the IB system to start with is really looked after. We are moving to Hong KOng and most of the schools there are IB world schools and want IB trained teachers. The other good thing is that you can offer stability to your Head. Your husband will be relocated for 4-5 years so you are not likely to move after a 2 year contract.

Your main problem will come once you have kids but there are schools who do pay up to 2 children and my last school in Shanghai paid for 3!
Here in Bern, teachers at the international school regarding their status have to pay only 10% of the fees. it even applies for TAs.
Good luck!

Well, I have taught in Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Lebanon so the current situation in Cairo would certainly does not stop me from taking a job. The only difference is that at the time I was single. I have now 2 children so I would need more time to make a decision. Why don't you contact the head and express your concerns. Maybe he will allow you a few more days to see how the situation is going to change. And from my experience, things often sound more terrible from outside for your relatives than for you who is in the country. As long as you keep a low profile and avoid big crowds, you will be ok.

The other thing you need to ask is if the school will allow you to follow your Embassy 's recommandation. If they tell you to live for instance, what will the school do regarding your contract etc.. It is also quite annoying when one Embassy recommands one thing to his nationals and another one another thing. It happened to me once, the British Embassy suggested to his nationals to live but mine ( The French one) said it was not necessary!

Hi ,

I live in the same city as where the school is. I ;ve been waiting 2 years for a vacancy to appear in my subject but the turn over is very low. I know the nursery teacher there and will see her on Tuesday. If you send me a MP with more details about your future contract and the income of your husband i could ask her regarding your salary concern. She 's been at the school 7 years.

If you have to find you own accomodation here in Muri bei bern it's quite pricy. We live in a 4.5 room appartement and pay 1,900chf a month. But you could live in a a cheaper place and get the tram. It's very convenient. My husband has a good salary but our life style has totally changed compared to Asia. We can't go out as much as everything is so expensive and very hard to find a babysitter ( my kids are 2 and 6).

Bern is a great place for family but not so if you like going out. Gumligen is fantastic for kids but my 6 year old has had to join the local school and has then many friends who live in the neigbhoroud. So I don't know how easy it would be for your children to socialise outside of schools with other kids who attend ISB. They may not live so close to one another as the swiss kids,

Anyways it will all depends on your lifestyle. we are not fussy people, have been able to go out twice in 2 years because of the lack of child care and babysitting , we shop in Aldi, and we don't go on ski holidays so yes we survive but hardly save money my husband's salary is about 7,000chf a month)

There is a great website you can go on :english speaking switzerland. if you do some search you will find interesting discussions about salaries etc...

good luck!