If you are going to a "good" school, the HR dept. should be able to answer these questions...as well as others on staff. As long as there are no extreme tax issues or special legalities, you should not have any problems...as long as you have the cash.

I agree...neither offer sounds very good...at all. Life is too short to put you and your family through the perils of long distance. I know people that have done it but seems like a HUGE sacrifice for a few extra $$. My wife would never allow that. You can live ok with that salary in Thailand...but you and your family will not be traveling much or saving anything. Also, a certain sacrifice just to live in Thailand.

Choosing to be an international teacher requires one to accept sacrifice...and there are many levels to this...proximity to family and friends, hobbies, hometown feel, air quality, cultural differences etc. etc. etc. It just comes down to what you are willing to sacrifice and what your goals/values are...cause these are 2 drastically different scenarios and neither ideal.

If I was you...I would try to survive until the next recruiting season. Your situation sounds a bit desperate.

American School of The Hague is probably your best option. If you are smart, you can save about 10k euros a year while travelling and having a good time. The package is probably one of the best in Europe. The school isn't really in The Hague...rather 15-20 minutes north of there in Wassenaar. Leiden is a great place to live that is not far away by bicycle or bus. I know people that worked there who supported college kids but they were teaching couples...being single in this situation will make things more difficult financially.

I'm not sure this is still true but they used to loan/assign cars to teachers. I had a friend that worked there...he would leave his apartment at 6am to avoid traffic. A 15-20 minute drive can take 2 hours during rush hour.

Ok...yeah, no one is likely to get hired without a license but a license is not required except when its the law or required for work visa. Technically, a license is not required to teach in a private school.

No state office of public instruction is going to listen to a grumpy administrator from wherever international school. Taking a runner on an international contract is no reason to pull someone's license...they have more important things to do. International admin do have large egos, but they cannot harm your stateside licenses.

You will not lose your license for "contract abandonment" at an international school...at least not if you are licensed in the USA. No stateside licensing authority would ever find out and wouldn't care anyway. A license isn't even required to teach abroad.

Taking a runner on a contract could adversely affect your chances to get another international job...but if you don't like living abroad, you probably won't be seeking another posting.

It's normal to feel anxious about your big move and completely normal to wonder "what if...?" Think positive and don't look back.

Depends on the school...if the school is FOR profit, they will probably stick you with something...like not pay your airfare or shipping home...maybe try to reclaim any recruiting costs and screw you out of a paycheck. A good non-profit will likely release you with some type of leaving benefit if not full benefits. Sometimes it depends on the laws of the host country...and they might not tell you that unless you ask.

Many first time overseas teachers have this same concern...I did! Don't worry about it. Just go and expand yourself. You will not regret it!

Bugs- there are worse in Minnesota. Depends on your choices in lodging...there are bed bugs and "leaky" windows allowing mosquitos in. Deet- a little bit goes a long way.
Heat- you acclimate and you will, most likely, have AC in your bedroom. Sweating is good for the body.
Rain- heavy at times which can create minor flooding. I've ridden a motorbike through rivers in the road many times...part of the adventure.
Disease etc.- I got dengue...it sucked...but, again, part of the adventure and reality.

Just go...you won't regret it.

Yes, BB is in a southern suburb of Berlin. Probably an hour commute from Mitte. I would not recommend living in Potsdam if you work there though...you can find a happy medium in Charlottenburg which is kind of in the middle. The Berlin transit system makes everything relatively easy.

Berlin-Brandenburg is probably THE "international school" in Berlin. Some friends have worked there...seems like a good enough school but not sure about the admin situation. I heard complaints and my friends are no longer there. JFK is a Berlin public and mostly for 1st time overseas teachers. It's a revolving door of American teachers with long-time German teachers. Kinda makes for a weird dynamic. There is PHORMS and some others but they are smaller with lack of facilities. Berlin itself is an awesome city. One of the cheapest big cities in Europe. Incredible history and nightlife.

@psyguy

the question was Asia or Europe...no one asked about ME. Now I can see why you have so many problems with people on this forum.

definitely Asia...if you are looking to save money...nuf said

If you like living and working in a "fishbowl", then go for it. I've visited the school and St. Gilgen is lovely BUT its a boarding school in a very small village. Takes a special kind of person to be comfortable there.

American School of The Hague has the better package and is a bigger school. I find it hard to believe that Amsterdam gives any housing allowance but can't confirm. ASH is sort of like working in an American Public School. Teachers stay a long, long time working there and probably the same for Amsterdam. Both of them will give you a good lifestyle in Europe. Difficult to save but you will live well. ASH is not physically close to Amsterdam. Some ASH teachers live in Amsterdam but they either drive an hour or take the train and bike for an hour and 15.

Go to the UNI fair. Accept a contract. International School career started! UNI fair is the best for 1st timers. Since you are a certified teacher, it's probably the easiest way to start your quest. After your 1st contract, you can switch to Search or do a more independent search. During your 1st contract, you will gain much insight on the whole int scene and can decide on what your next steps are. Good Luck!