I was there a while back. the staff has always been a mix of missionaries and partiers. You just have to keep your private life private. This can be challenging at times when HS kids are out at all the clubs. If you like that scene check with your collegues. I think that religion plays a part when you want a promotion or advancement. Those jobs seem to go to those that are like minded with corp. regardless of talent imho.

Danda is honest.
I was there for 2 years.
It was awful.
I don't think that the pros outweigh the cons.
The kids in Elem. were great but the rest was awful.
I am still hearing from local friends that say it is about the same and the new director is no prize.
QSI is just not able to adapt and change on its feet.
When you are in a third world country you have to be flexible and so does the organization. QSI can't cut it in that way.
I would not with good conscience tell anyone to even give it a try.
Avoid Kyiv as well especially if you teach secondary. Lots of problems.
I heard people were happy in Bishkek.
They can't be serious that this is the best in QSI, can they??!?!?

If they don't give you free school, flights and medical for kids (at least 1 kid per teacher) don't go. It is an indication that they are cheap or have other financial priorities. In some cases they can't take 3 kids due to housing or they can't afford 3 bd.

There is worse than QSI and there is better.
I heard snickers too. There really are 2 camps. Those that think QSI is not that great and those that will hire you knowing that you have survived hardship posts etc. I think the world economy is slowly catching up to the international market as well and everyone is finding it more difficult. Don't take it personally.

I just heard of and International Teacher Cert. that takes a year. I think it is all online.
I had a friend do an online program through College of New Jersey a few years ago while teaching full time overseas.
Not all schools require certification.

Each school has a different policy, but I would look into having the director, curriculum coordinator, counselor also write for you. If they understand the situation they can elude to it in their letters. "the principal is upset to lose such great teachers, but we understand that they want to expereince another part of the world. I know they will be wonderful additions to any school....".

Get copies of letters on letterhead and personal email addresses for the future because some people become very hard to locate later on!

Which country you are in makes a difference.
It takes time.
Are there any local male teachers? Business a manager?
In a few of the countries there are restrictions on non muslims going into a mosque, however if you are not acting as a tourist and are honestly interested someone would be happy to take you a long. Some countries have centers for foreigners interested in the local culture.
I was in Kuwait so most of my experience is there, if I knew which country I could be more helpful.

If you have lived overseas once you will have a leg up.
They know you can at least deal with living overseas.
Working in a local school can work for you in some cases.
You may not make it into a top tier school yet, but some opportunity should come along if you are open minded. You may not get to your top pick the first time around. Join TIE online if you haven't yet.

No review can be a good thing. However if the school has mainly local staff or staff new to international teaching they may not know about ISR!
If you are going to Mexico (an many other countries) I would strongly suggest that you ask what percentage of teachers are host country national hires.
There is a big difference between a school with an international staff and one that is staffed by locals teaching in English. The best schools will have few if any local staff teaching in academic areas. Specialists maybe. Of course there are host country nationals with excellent English, great training etc., BUT the schools loaded with host country staff and host country kids will be very much like working in a local school taught in English. The local culture and language will prevail. You have to know that going in and accept the challenges that go with it.
I would make a phone call to an expat working at the school to ask questions and anecdotes before signing a contract.

GO for it.
If possible you may want to ask your district for a 2 or 3 year leave of absence. You can always resign fully if it feels like the right thing to do at the time.

Thanks. I am talking grade K at an international school that is heavily local.
I don't have a sense of the culture. I'm in a culture now where there are no rules until age 8 or 9 and it is making me crazy teaching the little ones.
i need to find out how Koreans view this. I am definately talking about age 5 (by western counting). Why did some of your friends hate it??
Thanks.

Can anyone give me some real cultural info on Korean Kindergarteners?
I have worked with the older kids in other countries and think they are great. Are the kindergarteners eager to learn and have some self control, or is it a culture that let the little ones run wild until a certain age? If so what age?

There is a good chance for you, but your salary will not go far.
As a single teacher you probably won't get tuition for 2 kids.
If your husband travels you may have childcare issues.
I have a friend that had her young son in German daycare and was very happy, but it was expensive.
I would also say that apt living (possibly with no elevator) and schleping your groceries in Europe with 2 little kids is not that fun. I have done it.
If Europe is your dream, you may want to wait until your kids are old enough to remember it (If the tuition can be worked out). If you are eager to go overseas now there are lots of countries that are easier with a young family.

My intention is to see if my standards are too high.
I think that a good international school should have 20 MAX.
I have taught super small classes and you are right they are boring.
Right now I am in a homogeneous school of nearly all local kids, parents have minimal to no English to support them, I have no assistant and 24 kids in my class. Oh and no ESL or special Ed support. It is not the best for me nor my kids as the only strong English speakers in the class.
I don´t think this is the best for the student. The parents aren´t getting thier moneys worth.
We have been overseas more than 10 years.
Thing seem to be changing a lot out there and I am hoping that my next school is more like my old one. I want to know if I am realistic.

There are always opportunities. It depends where you are willing to go and what you are willing to put up with. Kuwait was easier than my inter city HS job in the states by far, for example. I would not go back, but at the time it worked. Many schools require 2 years.(Usually better schools). There are opportunities to be an intern for those without much experience. I would check out University of Northern Iowa (UNI) they have a job fair in Feb. ( I think they have more new teachers than other agencies). We just had a student teacher here, so you may also look into doing your student teaching abroad if you can afford it and it is allowed in your state.
I don't know if working at an Int'l school in the US would benefit or not. Any traveling and working with ESL/multicultural kids help in general. Someone else may know more about this aspect.