We initially thought we would be back in one year (signed a one year contract), so we did store a lot of stuff. With that being said, we only store most recent purchases and antiques. We have since gone back and now we only bothered to keep the antique stuff.

The storage can be pricey, however, it is real convenient. If we buy anything, but we do not want to drag it around from country to country, we just being it back and store it. If we ever decide to settle. We will still have it.

I guess there is no wrong way to do this... it depends on what you value. If you value what you have and you are not willing to part with it, then pay the money and store it. You can always change your mind like we did. However, the money you pay for storage, may in the long run, pay for your new furniture should you decide to come home.

My wife and I have been through three different ones. All the same to me. We had the "big guy," then his daughter, then Ray Sparks talked us back into signing on again for Search. After a tug- a- war between Ray and his daughter, we finally landed with Ray. Come to find out, it wasn't much of a difference. The only time we hear from Ray is when he is fishing to find out if we have been hired or not.

Probably the most enlightened one was a guy I do not even remember his name (I think it's Mike Williams... the one based in Laos I believe...anyway). He was frank with us when we couldn't decide between two schools. His description turned out to be accurate, but he was definitely doing a high wire act explaining it.

My wife and I know enough people we can generally get a "low down" on many schools. For example, a former principal warned us about a certain school. The best source for information about schools are your fellow teachers & administrators. Stay away from the bitter ones though :lol:

I live in Dubai.

I find the city both fake and fascinating.
The locals aloof and aloof. The one's you know through school are extremely nice (though for the younger ones, they are sometimes intense at PTCs).

The plight of the workers will break your heart.
The treatment of the "nannies/ maids etc... is horrible.
There is definitely a racial divide with what each cultural/ethnic group does here.

Service is inconsistent. You will spend a half hour trying to explain to a delivery person how to get to your home because an address system is barely existent (most come from country where the concept is foreign).
However, every place you go you are treated like you are in Business/ first class.

I do find the people here to be self- absorbed and righteous at times, but they are people who are not. People drive like teenagers here; be prepared for sporadic & reckless maneuvers.

Dubai is a modern city and in some ways more technologically advance than most western cities. Cultural development has lagged (be prepare for a "3rd world mentality.")

You will also recognize many of the same food chains that exist in the US and Europe. Dubai would be an easy adjustment if this is your first overseas experience. Everyone speaks English though not as well as they think.

There is plenty of things to do,... go carting, paint-balling, bowling, a cold beer at your favorite bar (don't drink and drive,..taxis are relatively cheap and it isn't worth the hassle.

Weather isn't that great,... between November and April and its pleasant,... warm whether to windbreaker weather. Otherwise, its hotter than hell. The sand feels like burning coals. Most hang out in the malls.... there are even things to do there was well.... like the movies, ski Dubai, and indoor soccer fields.

I am not sure if this helps.... good luck

My wife and I interviewed for the school in Trinidad.

I haven't heard anything bad about the school. The director seems formal, but very nice. We learned about the high crime rate after the interview. We also had an issue with transportation of the dog (horrible quarantine facility).

I heard (2nd hand info) good things about the school in Nairobi. There is an issue with crime, but the blatancy of the crime was point of the story. Most of my colleagues seemed to love the country, but Nairobi was their least favorite part.

I lived in another African country before and loved the experience. In fact, I would go back to Africa again (specifically Sub Saharan Africa). If you are looking for a real cultural experience, you will definitely get it in Kenya. I am not so sure you will in T & T.

Just another thought,... if the schools suck, but you love the country,... you might become a "runner." If the country sucks, but you love the school, you will toughen up and finish your two year contract and get the hell out of dodge. (My wife and I were the latter, and stayed for 3 years)

[quote="Zsejanko"]I don't think it's too late at all. I have gotten job offers all the way up until now. In fact, the offers that I am getting are from better schools (not met at the fair ). The fairs definitely give you an advantage to meet them face to face and make an impression, but remember that most of the recruiters will look at resumes beforehand and probably have already chosen people in mind. I say keep on trying. Patience is a virtue. Many young, novice teachers tend to say "Yes" to the first job that is offered to them at the fairs because they think of "Oh no! All this money, time and effort for the fair...so I better come out of it with a job! "..[/quote]


I would like to echo the above statement,...
My wife and I attended a fair earlier this year and they are not the be all of recruitment. We actually had as many skype interviews as face to face interviews at the job fair. Moreover, schools are still posting openings. There are about four schools right now with positions for us both. All four schools will be interviewing in March.

My wife and I also started calling schools directly. I actually worked with a teacher who kept calling the school until they finally offered her a job.

TIE Online has no "focus."

Any school (it seems) can post their openings, as well as, any 'teacher' can post their resume.

Its nothing more than a medium for schools to post job openings.

I am not sure about the posting of resumes. The only responses I receive are 'suspicious' schools 'fishing' for applicants.

The only negative is you cannot do a search with more than one variable. I have to pick one variable, then click on the link to see if they have a position for wife as well.

SEARCH as probably has the best search features with the most detail information. TIE ads, however, will vary greatly to virtually nothing about the school to dissertation on their educational philosophy and hiring practices.

[quote="ingmarbueb"]ca. bedeutet circa.you don't have that in english,oh well.i want to know if the lifing standard over there is comparable to ours here in a hypothetical situation.before we throw away what we have we want to know what would expect us .if you don't like the question,don't answer it.
by the way zurich would be an option too.
thanks again[/quote]


The question is not very clear on what exactly you are asking.
Are you looking to relocate to Germany or Switzerland first or are you looking for a job, then relocate. if the former, your wife will be given a local hire contract and in the latter, she will get a overseas contract.

Your wife seems more than qualified, except a lacking in IB experience. (At least, you don't seem to have listed that in your "mini resume.")

I suggest, you do a search for international schools in both countries. many of the schools will list their expectations. Be aware, many schools are hesitant about hiring a couple in which only one is a teacher. If you relocate first, then you are less of a financial burden on them, and it may not matter.

Just a small note: Taxes in Germany are really high (close to 40% I think).

Zurich International School
70+ swiss francs (before the 22% tax)
Medical, but no dental (option)

Franconian International School
44- 47 euros (before 40% tax)
Full medical including dental

Berlin International School
55- 58 euros (before 40+% tax)
Insurance is not worldwide optional dental

Based on what you wrote above, you have a much sweeter deal in NYC
Even if you took the taxes away.... you will not come close to clearing 70,000 salary wise and only one of the three seem to have anything close to the medical you seem to have now.

[quote="mathgym"]Thats good news. Glad to hear you were getting job offers. Did you have to contact a lot of schools? We've been sending out our info, but have heard nothing. We are already overseas teaching and are certified too. We've been sending a letter, CV's, photo, contact info, and references. I'm discouraged, but glad to know it's working out for you. Do you have some suggestions to help improve our chances?[/quote]

Be proactive! My wife and I started to call schools directly, and as result, we have three skype interviews this week (two of the schools at currently at a job fair).

Good Luck!

The reason for the PM being disabled is comical,...

But, I always had a "second" anonymous email I use if I want to keep my identity private. I started the practice years ago when I use to post on political forums, but in today's facebook era, its a really good idea to have one.

[quote="radishflower"]Hi heyteach,

Yes, 2:30 is certainly a nice time to wrap up teaching. I guess as far as personal days I was thinking more about how one might need to attend a job fair in the future, but from what you've said that wouldn't be a problem.
[/quote]


I worked at two different international schools and in both cases, there was a specific number days you are allowed to leave to attend a job fair in the contract. I would imagine all international schools have this provision in the contract.

There is some important things you need to understand about SEARCH ASSOCIATES.

They mainly function as a data collection/ sharing agency. They collect data from schools about openings, and they collect date from prospective teachers. They really do not screen anything. (They are some real dodgy schools registered with SEARCH.) Also, "your associate" doesn't head hunt for you at all. They basically act like a cheerleader (if that). When you ask them about schools, you are almost always assured to receive a diplomatic response.

Unfortunately, some schools advertise through SEARCH, instead of through their own website. TIE online is also another great resource. About 80%+ of schools on SEARCH also use TIE. There are prbably about 10- 20% schools that advertise on TIE and not SEARCH. It is also a lot cheaper, about 30 USD per year.

ASD has expanded its enrollment. They just completed building a larger facility, so they need teachers for the larger enrollment of students.

ASD is probably the best school in all of the middle east, except maybe the American College of Cairo.

Heck for S & G... you should had said you used to be from the Adam & Eve persuasion, but now you are the Adam & Adam persuasion. It would had been fun watching them work that puzzle out.


On a side note, my wife and I introduced ourselves to them at the signing table at a recent job fair. My wife is an art teacher. We were informed by them that they usually only hire local teachers to teach art. I was "OK" with that because we believe in an holistic approach to education. I believe all teachings positions are important and each position should be filled by the best possible candidate. I am not suggesting that host nation teachers aren't good teachers, but why single out Art for host nation teachers only.

BTW, in the review section of this website (which you have to pay for) a teacher of 20 years said that the school as a religious undertone about it. Then, an admin wrote something up that read like a advertisement flier.

-===

[quote="hiznherz"]For the original poster, sorry I have no good advice. I spend the most miserable year of my life teaching in New Orleans and I dealt with it by 1 - drinking, 2 - crying, 3 - making my husband miserable. Not great ideas.

Lagniappe, where do you teach if you don't mind saying? I was at Cohen -- fights everyday, teachers pushed down the stairs, fires, SWAT visits at least once a week, constant chaos, and a batsh@t crazy principal. I can't believe I made it through the year![/quote]

I was born and raised in New Orleans,... are both of you native Orleanians?

For the original poster- I would try some social networking- like join a sports club, walking club, etc.... Really any activity where you meet different people from school people is good. You might want to register with the US embassy/ consulate. They often have social events.

---

Jenifer,

I was at Qatar Academy for a soccer tournament a year ago.

The school facility is fantastic! It is part of a huge compound that host 6 different USA based universities. There is even a Starbucks on the compound.

During the tournament, I stayed with a host, who were teachers at the school. The accommodations were excellent, but I stayed with a teaching couple. So, I am not sure if it is drastically different. All the teachers seem to like living and working in Doha. (I hosted another teacher for a different tournament)

I live in Dubai. So, I know ASD pretty well. ASD is renovating it's faciltiy, so it would probably be on par with QA. The real difference will be the student body. ASD is almost all American, while QA will have a more diverse student body.

Another big difference is culture. Dubai is a modern cosmopolitan city with a diverse population from all over the world. My short week in Doha I've seen more culture than an entire year in Dubai. Both are economically developed, but Dubai is more socially liberal.

I can't comment on the salary scale, but goods and services seem to cost about the same in both countries.

All things considered,... you can't go wrong with your decision. I would work at both schools.

Good Luck!