My first international gig was a PE specialist for two years. My second school I went back into the classroom. My third I went back to PE. My fourth went back to classroom. My fifth back to PE and I hope to stay :).

My experience has been my actual credential has nothing do with the position I receive. It's been based on my experience (I coach multiple sports which helps), my skills, and personality.

I know Friday is tomorrow, but it's really easy to call schools, they have phones.

Yeah I think Iowa is underrated. I found my first international school there and I was happy with my starter school.

My second trip there was a nightmare, but the staff at UNI really stepped up. I was bumped from my flight in Chicago the night before the fair and had to take a flight at in the morning (of course I checked all my bags in). I got to the fair an hour late, but the staff forwarded my bags to the hotel and a driver was waiting for me at the Cedar Rapids airport. By the time I got to the round robin there was nothing left. My employer at the time was there and she was able to secure two interviews for me. I ended up going to a place I never would of picked and it all worked out.

In Latin America there is always an element of risk, but it seems to be the luck of the draw. I lived in CA and SA for five years and never had a problem (but, I'm ugly and scary looking), but others have walked off the plane and gotten robbed the first few days.

Psy is right, Cuba for sure would be much less of a risk. That would be an interesting post.

Mexico City would be a blast, but you would have to be on your toes.

I've been to Iowa twice and it was hell for me (I'm from So. Cal).

The conference center is also extremely cold even though it's obviously inside.

They have coat racks where you can hang your coat while your in lines for the sign-ups.

I really liked my experience at UNI (not so good at Search). The UNI people are so nice and accommodating (Search = not so nice and slightly militant).

GOOD LUCK!

I hear your valid points psyguy, and you're right it's just a biz and we can be treated like little pawns.

That is why after five schools, I count my blessings each day I found a keeper.

I've worked in several schools where local staff prepare the contracts.

I have no idea where the poster is going, but if it's Latin America this is common practice.

My current contract at an incredible school was late because someone dropped the ball. Unprofessional and lame, yes, but there were reasons. Does this reflect bad on the school, for sure, but the upsides far outweigh this one transgression.

Maybe they entered the email wrong when they sent it, who knows.

The simple solution is to pick up the phone and talk to someone. It could be solved very quickly.

Even though it's lame to have to wait there could be just reasons.

Maybe the director is incredibly busy and absent-minded.

Maybe it's the job of a slow local hire office worker that is on that countries time line.

I received a contract very late once and it was because the director passed it on to my reason number two and then he went out on medical leave, but I got it eventually.

I would for sure pick up the phone and call the director, if he is out at a fair ask for a principal and tell them you are nervous.

I doubt it would matter, at least it didn't matter for me.

I feel in love with one of the countries I worked in and I took a year off and traveled, drank rum and cokes, went to the beach and wrote a book that sold like 100 copies.

I just told my current boss what I did and he told me he was jealous.

I also have taught three different subjects internationally out of my subject matter. I have a Clear California Multiple Subject. If you have a credential and the experience you should be alright to teach whatever at most schools.

Good luck with your decision.

I just want to add that I taught in Colombia for a few years and it's an amazing place. You won't get rich going there, but the experience is amazing and I've met very few people who have visited or lived in Colombia that will disagree.

I would get a feeling at the fair. If you can stall the offer maybe you can pull it off, but you may shoot yourself in the foot.

At the second fair you may not even get an interview. I had six offers my first fair and only one at my second and third fairs. You have no idea what is going to happen at these things.

I also would highly consider taking the first offer as you will be in the region that you desire and can always make contacts and jump in a few years.

I'm at a "tier one" school, but I had to put time in the trenches of some lessor schools and the contacts I made have led me to where I am.

I would consider the whole, "a bird in a hand" thing.

Latin America can be a very rewarding place to live and teach. I loved my time in both Central and Latin America. If your interested in going to Honduras I would be weary of going to San Pedro Sula (EIS). La Ceiba (Mazapan) can be an interesting place with mountains, beaches, islands and rivers at your doorstep. The school is great, but the town is a little shady, but bearable. Colombia is an amazing place especially if you're looking to learn Spanish. The people are very warm and it's very easy to build local relationships. I would for sure avoid Colegio Albania, unless you want to live on a coal mine in the middle of sticksville.

I work in Asia now and make great money and live in a school that is very demanding, but very professionally rewarding. I think of Latin American everyday and ponder if I ever would make the move back.

I interview for an advertised HS PE job off TIE in Asia. One minute into the interview it comes about that the opening is for a 1st grade position. I tell the guy, no thanks, I would die. The next day the HR sends me a contract for the job. I write back telling them this must be a mistake and I never hear back from them. Two months later they write back saying they are ready to book the arrangements for travel. A few years later a new teacher who worked at that school came to my current school and told me the school is a total disaster and things like this was common.

When I was on the North Coast of Colombia a few years back the school had mixed reviews. It seems like a good school to start one's international career.

Cartagena is a decent sized tourist city, but foreigners are mostly found in two sections that are close to each other. The Old City and Bocagrande are tourist destinations and if I lived in Cartagena this is where I would find myself. There is a good . scene there that is combined with locals and tourists. As in most large Colombian city the night life is very fun and easy to mix with locals. If you're a single man, Cartagena could be a paradise for you. The beaches in the city are so-so, but there are a few islands you can boat ride to. You have the Santa Marta area which is a three hour bus ride that has tons to do. I would say some people would get bored living in Cartagena, but if you embrace Colombia for its best asset which is its people you should have a great experience.

I taught in Colombia for three years and left in 2009. I have a friend who worked at Granada and had great things to say about the school. I also have heard from other sources it's the best school in Colombia. I can't comment on Parrish.

I think I can give you insight on the cities they are in.

Bogota - (Granada) A great international city that has made great strides of progression in the last five years. There are many foreigners living here and would be more comfortable for the expat. Even though it's considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world, it's probably the same level of danger for an expat as any other Latin American city, unless you're a drug dealer or gang member. You most likely would live in North Bogota which is a posh area and is very safe (I think the school is in N. Bogota). Bogota in my opinion is an amazing city full of culture, nightlife and tons of things to do. From Bogota you can fly to anywhere in Colombia. I lived in Bogota for a year and it was amazing. The weather can be difficult for many people. It's 8,000 feet up and can get quite cold, even in the summer. Its overcast all the time, but when the sun comes out it's wonderful. The people of Bogota (Rolos) area friendly, but more conservative.

Barranquilla - (Parrish) Barranquilla is an industrial port city know mostly for being the birth place of Shakira. It's kinda a pit with not much to do, but it offers a sizzling nightlife. On the upside it's on the coast and you can get to Cartagena in 90 minutes and to Santa Marta in 70 minutes. These are both great areas to enjoy the beach, culture and other great things. Barranquilla is on the North Coast of Colombia which is scortching hot. Another upside to the North Coast is the people, (Costenas) are extremely friendly and open.

The two cites are different worlds and both would offer different experiences. To tell you the truth I havent heard of anyone saying they love living in Barranquilla. I've heard many say they love Bogota, but you must want to live in a huge city that has dreary weather.

Im not sure what the money is, but I made 28K and it was knocked down to around 20K after Colombian taxes (21% when I was there) and a few other deductions. I saved like 8k a year, but I partied and traveled my butt off. Colombia is cheap (not as much as other LA countries) and if you were tight you could live on 500 bucks a months easy in Bogota, if the school took care of your housing and utilites. It would be all on your personal lifestyle.

I loved my time in Colombia and would have stayed, but I'm sitting in a "tier one" school in Asia and saving tons of cash so I can one day retire in Colombia.

Colombia es pasion!