There are lots of reputable schools in Europe. They are not all in big, 'glamourous' cities. If you want to work there, go for it! Do your homework. Go to the London job fair in January.
Don't worry about whether you school is right exactly in your ideal spot. You can get all over Europe via rail in small amounts of time. Best of luck, follow your dream!

If you get an offer at Aramco, take it. You are not in a prison, you can afford a nice car and drive all over the Middle East. Camping, trips to Bahrain, Oman, U.A.E., diving, etc... With their salary you can also jump on a plane with regularity and be a dozen exotic places in 3-6 hours.
The school system itself is outstanding with bright, forward leaning leadership and supportive families. School terminates after 9th grade.

Saudi Arabia is great for saving money, there are no taxes and not much to spend on. Great to come in to erase debt, build nest egg. If you cannot stand sexism stay clear. Women are not allowed to drive.

Teachers are in high demand everywhere in the world. UNI is the best fair and I do not know why one of the writers said they had few top-tier schools. Aramco and International Schools, and many others, hired there and they both have excellent packages.
Go online to UNI and get registered. Int'l schools love couples. You will find a great school. We are in Saudi Arabia now. We have two children ages 3 and 7. We all love it here!
Carl

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Hey! My wife and I are bring our two boys to the Kingdom in August to work with in Dhahran. Saudi Arabia is much safer than the United States when it comes to domestic crime. As it relates to terrorism, there have been many more Americans killed by terrorists (including McVeigh in Oklahoma City) than there has been in Saudi. The Saudis simply do not tolerate crime.
My mother is a librarian and has brought home several books that tell about history, culture, and modern day challenges brought about by the information age. The number of hoops we are having to jump through to get into the country and work should be evidence enough that the Saudi's are very stringent when it comes to who comes and works there. The American media, generally speaking, has done a great disservice to 99% of Middle Easterners who are peaceful, kind folks. Their ways and traditions are much more pleasant than modern day America. Any of us educators who are working with today's youth know this.
You are off to work in a place that you know is safe. Your family members who have issues about you living and working there will be satisfied when they do some homework. A decent library can provide you with some great information!

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An Iquam, is a residence permit. There are different types of Iquama. The three main types are work Visas, domestic and dependant visas. They all require a sponsor.
Our school was established in 1962. Our superintendents have assured us that December travel will not be a problem. In addition to personnel that works in Saudi Arabia, they employ when needed, in Washington D.C., an individual that works at insuring smooth transistions for American educators moving to the Kingdom. We are blessed and optimistic. If things go wrong, which they always do, how it affects us is completely our decision. We are looking forward to our Middle Eastern adventure!

The package, with the exception of Saudi Aramco, would be tough to beat anywhere in the Middle East. However, that is not the only reason we were drawn. We will be living in Dhahran and it is a nice city. Our villa will be in a compound with 35 other villas and at least 25 other children for our children to pal around with. Also, the superintendent and ass't superintendent are very bright and honest. Every question we had they answered, even when the answers were not what a recruiter would want you to hear. Yes, Saudi is hotter than you know where for several months. Yes, women cannot drive in public. (My wife is kinda glad and ex-pat women can take taxis anywhere they like, without their male escort.) Yes, Saudi is a long way from the U.S. All that being said, our entire family will be able to come home every summer on the school's dime. We have 30 days off in December to spend in Europe or wherever else we want to go. Our entire family will be on the same school campus every day. Right now the four of us are in 4 different locations daily.
We are excited!
Carl

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UNI was great at doing exactly what they said they would. They were organized, the Convention Center was close to ideal, and Waterloo is a fine city. You spend 3 or 4 days there. Most of your time you are networking, researching, writing, or interviewing. There were restaurants within walking distance. We stayed at the Quality Inn. It was quiet and the continental breakfast was not only good but a great time to meet folks. The cost was reasonable unlike staying in cities like New York, San Francisco, or Cambridge. You are there to secure a job and network,not sightsee. UNI brought in 125 schools from all over the world. We are going to work for International Schools Group in Saudi Arabia. Good package, great leadership!
Peace, Carl & Tiffany

We are a teaching/counseling couple and UNI was our first fair. What a great experience! We signed with International Schools Group (Saudi Arabia) and could not be happier. We also were able to network quite a bit. I believe a fair number of educators flow directly from one school to another based on relationships forged as a result of networking.
The key to our success was establishing a professional educator's websiste and send the link to about 60 schools. It was nothing fancy, a couple pictures, resume's, transcripts, diplomas, and an easy link for requested letters of reference. Any computer person can get you started and it took us about 5/6 hours to get it right. Nothing compared to the time and effort of running copies and paying overseas postage. In 2008 videocalling, websites, emails are great tools in the recruiting process.
Thanks to UNI. They did what they said they would.
Sincerely,
Carl & Tiffany[size=18][/size]

I would like any information from teachers who are at or have taught at the following Shanghai schools:
Shanghai Community Int'l Schools (Dr. William Parker)
Rainbow Bridge Int'l School (Stephen Walshe)
Concordia Int'l School Shanghai (Louise Schini Weber)
Shanghai American School (Michael Williams)

We have two children ages 3 and 7. I would like to know anything about how they would find things and how the school is to work for.
Thanks!
Carl F.

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I have spent about 30 minutes researching the school and area of Nairobi, Kenya. Wildlife like Kenya holds would be thrilling as well as the other geographic sites.
The CIA Factsheet and US Dept. of State are clear in their warnings and information about the country itself that I am reluctant to go with my young children. Same goes for Tanzania. My wife and I may go for it when the boys are older. If you are single or a couple without children, go for it!
Carl F.

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Dear Merlin,
Have not read the book you referenced. If you are looking for a great source of info on overseas teaching I would recommend Kelly Blackwell's online book. I cannot recall the title, however the website is something like teachingoverseasinfo.com. Google it. The cost is about $36, well worth it if you have not taught abroad or have only served one stint.
Sincerely, Carl & Tiff