As the person who started this Thread of posts I found it interesting to read all of the comments. I have now been in Kazakhstan since the end of August. I have found some of the posts on target and some slightly exaggerated for the negative. The school in fact does not pay airfare up front but it was reimbursed up to $5000 round trip or $2500 one way after 10 days. They also pay half of the $2000 settling money (minus 10% taxes) after 10 days. You get a second round trip flight to your choice of destinations in the middle of the year (up to roundtrip $5000) After 90 days we received our second half of the settling money. Now as far as interviews and what we really got when we got here. I actually agree that NIS said a lot of things that were complete fabrications to make you think things were happening when indeed they are not funded, supported or even have plans of funding or supporting. For example Libraries as mentioned are not funded for books to be purchased, Art classes are expecting students who pay tuition to buy their own art materials, any extra projects like after school clubs receive no financial support and if a project is requested or Olympiads or some other activity is being done by you or your team there is no real support for that either. There is a communist system still in place. The teachers do their jobs and do not ask questions. If the administration says to come in and work 7 days a week they do. My school has a particularly out of date director. The director is not kind and has no concern for the staff as far as we can see. Staff is purposely demeaned and humiliated for the sake of correction and this is just the accepted way to behave. Having said all of that the fact is we make 5 to 10 times what the average local staff earn and we only work 5 days a week 9 hours a day. We have a free accommodation and the school does actually pick you up and drop you off at the airport every time you come and go. I work with great people and outside of the administration they are open to learning and want to be good teachers. The School governing body at the Astana level is beginning to realize they will have to at some point (probably not this year) start to meet the demands of the foreign staff for needed changes. This is a very complicated process they have created and as long as their leadership is the old regime in mentality these things may or may not get better. I have worked in a school prior to this that promised the moon and delivered nothing. There will be no perfect school ever anywhere. The kids here are so good and kind. They are respectful and hard working. Yes they are tested in and actually are very bright. They stand when teachers walk in the room and still raise their hands to answer questions. If they are disrespectful they will immediately apologize when it is pointed out. Their parents for the most part do buy the supplies needed and I find their eagerness to learn and their respectful behavior refreshing. I know I have babbled on for a while but do not be scared off by the bad comments. Their will always be trade offs. This is not for everyone. If you are not sure then do not come here. It is not for the weak. And side note on culture...Either learn russian or kazakh or be prepared to use a lot of sign language and google translate the local people really are locals and they did not learn english because they heard you were coming.

Thanks for all the info on Kazakhstan. I am looking forward to going. I know as with any move there will be cultural differences to adjust to. I have been overseas working for the past two years so I am used to some of it already. As for the non relevant comments...

Thanks for the info "redster" This is about what I am expecting. My bigger concern will be academic materials. What is available there? Should I plan on bringing as much as I can with me or should I plan on buying there? They do give $2000 for shipping but I would then have to pay this to return my things on my own at the end of contract. Good info to consider.

I have a feeling it will be a bigger workload then my current school. I have seen several videos and read about the country but no real info on my school in particular. I do think the school year is a bit longer too.
Thanks for the comments.

Does anyone know about Khazakstan? If not about the school just in general about the country? What to bring and what they may not have available there? I have lived overseas a few years so i know generally what to bring for myself but do not know much about availability of things in Khazakstan.

If you feel the money is low or there is a concern about housing you should ask and be open to their response. My friend was just offered a job with shared housing. This was a deal breaker for her. She asked and they offered her single housing. She would have turned the job down over this issue. You have to decide if it is a deal breaker or just a wish list item. Sometimes giving the best candidate a little extra is better than starting all over searching for a new candidate.
As far as reviews I am going to a school with no reviews and have the same question about why no reviews? Some schools are either new or perhaps people in general are satisfied and not super happy or super down on their schools.
I have heard good things about Turkey and want to travel their. Many of my friends have been there this past year and loved it. It is very Muslim though so be prepared for 4 am prayer calls (plus 4 more through out the day) and cultural differences if you are not muslim. Not necessarily good or bad differences but adjustment to our western liberal thinking.

Has anyone worked here? Any advice or comments about teaching at these schools?
Also Anything I need to bring or be aware of living in Khazakstan?
Thanks.