I'm at my fifth international school and have had this situation.

One time I loved where I lived and highly disliked where I worked. I once loved where I worked and disliked where I lived. Once I even hated where I worked and lived (thank god one year contract).

But now I love both where I live and work and my life is blissful. It was worth the jumping and hopefully the school stays progressive and enjoyable for many years to come.

To answer you question I would rather have a better place to work as you spend so much time and at least you can travel out of the city during holidays and weekends. Going to work to a dreadful place is really a drag and can weigh on you.

For once I side with psyguy on one.

Just send them a gift, watch the video and put the priority on settling into your new life which won't be a piece of cake (wedding ?).

On the other hand tons of people from my work have gone home this year from Asia for a full week for weddings. Some of them told the boss when they got hired others as the year went along.

Good Luck...

Thanks Boca!

I've looking to connect with a school in Cambodia, this is a great site.

I worked at a school in Central America, where the girlfriend left the boyfriend and broke contract. He stayed many more years. Every school is different, but it may help you if something happens that you're in a very passionate and volatile part of the world where relationships are everything, they could be more understanding.

cool psy, I understand the happy feet.

Psy just curious.

Since you've mentioned you have also worked in Denmark and Taiwan, in addition to these six. You have worked 8 years abroad, have you signed 8 one year contracts, or do you run a lot?

Baby turtles?

Colegio los Nogales has a great reputation and pays well for Colombia. I don't have any specifics as its been two years since Ive been there. The location is decent and there are tons of nice places to live in the area in North Bogota.

Bogota rains year rain and can get cold. I remember getting off the plane in June and thinking, dam this place is cold. But I didnt care, because Bogota is totally awesome.

The North Coast and Cali area blazing hot. Bogota is rainy and can get cold. Medellin and Bucaramanga is considered to be almost perfect weather. The Zona Cafeteria can get wet and cold. The weather in Colombia reflects a lot of things about the country, very diverse.

For a guy who has 27 credentials you really have a tough time learning simple things.

What does it matter that you're an admin? This is a thread about Colombia the country, at what point does a city in the U.S. enter the picture?

Psy, I appreciate the important information you sometimes post, but I really think your showing a complete lack of class on this one.

Psy, basic grammar errors are common and I personally don't think it's a big deal. I do believe that not making an effort of spelling the name of a country correctly is rather rude and disrespectful. Colombia is a beautiful country with wonderful people, but is misunderstood due to ignorance. People like you who won't make an effort to respect and learn about other cultures really give travelers and those living abroad a bad image.

Psy there are a few schools in Colombia that you could save 15 - 20K easy if you're frugal when you travel out of the country and don't have many bills at home.

Being smart means not traveling to the wrong section of town or flaunting your possessions. I lived in Colombia for 3 years and Honduras (one of the most dangerous countries in the world) for a few and never had one problem.

Both countries are pinnacle for the drug trade and unless your a mule or participating in drug trafficking it's pretty much a non-factor for a foreigners safety. Latin Americans own drug use is incredibly low compared to the rest of the world so you don't really have to worry getting hit in the head by a crackhead. Your biggest issue is common theft and that is why people say "you need to be smart".

As for women, everyone knows Colombianas are the most beautiful.

I agree with the above post. Colombia is amazing. I taught there a few years back and loved every minute. I would say its the same danger as living in Chicago or New York City. You just got to be smart. I never had a problem in three years.

I can't comment on Cali either, but I've known people who have lived there and love it. Capital of salsa and a awesome . city (most of Colombia is). Bogota, Zona Cafeteria, Medellin, Bucaramanga, and the North Coast would all be great places to live and teach.

I lived in Bogota too and it's one of my favorite places in the world. Bring a jacket, can get frigging cold.

Colombia es pasión!

I've worked at a few schools and cities where many ex-pat teachers only hang out within themselves and make no effort to make local friends. I've noticed it's more common with women for many reasons.

I also disagree about having to be in cities with large ex-pat populations. My first gig was in a city of 200,000 and there were ten foreign teachers in my school (two single, I was one) and maybe 20 other so in town working with NGO's. I really didn't have many options, but to make local friends. I spent 5 years in Latin America and I hung out 95% of the time with locals. Now I'm in Asia and that percent has gone way down, but try to make an effort to not be in the gringo pack.

Sorry about jacking your thread, I know nothing of Cairo :).