How about this ? 25%+ is worrying from a teacher's/staff perspective, but I don't think it bothers owner's/admin much. So, does it matter? I've seen them fill positions with warm bodies at the last minute without batting an eye. Also, you never really know why people are leaving. Even if they tell you. Stability is turning into my number one factor in job choice. I will earn less, to simply know who I will be working with next year, and who will be making the decisions. Top schools do it, but most of us don't work there.
Right now, interviewing with a school that looks a little small/in transition, but shows promise of being stable and run by rational people. (I've been rejected by all the top schools that are already there) My questions during interviews are all about stability, now. One on my script is, "What are you doing to retain staff on a yearly basis? If you like my work, at the end of this contract, what can I expect?" Some are flustered and b.s. me, some have planned and reasonable responses.

Worked there for two years. Access to all the food you want, more or less expensive.
Hotel bars for Westerners are full of men of all stripes and pretty boring.
You can get a liquor license and buy and bring home all the alcohol you need.
Best plan is to make friends with as many as you can, (it is small and insulated, be on your best behavior) and make your own fun.
My best experiences were getting to know Indian workers and their families, and eating the best Indian food I have ever had in my life.

It is, what it is. It is what they say it is. Currently in a school that (successfully) forbids teachers from discussing salary. I negotiated mine to be a little higher, I think. This was the only school that my negotiations led to a bump. Maybe 6-8 others told me, take it or leave it. I left it most of the time, had to take it when it was late and I needed a j-o-b.
It is like a souvenir shop in anywhere but North America. You have to be able to walk out. If you don't walk out, it costs what you are willing to pay.
I agree with, "don't complain later". If you accepted the amount of pay for your labor, then you made your own bed. IS is the Wild West. May be old-school, but I believe a contract is a contract.

Did not teach there, taught near there. Went on vacation with another teacher. Found it fascinating and beautiful. Very civilized with exquisite food, cheap drink, kind and helpful people, patterned traffic, great daily newspapers, mind-blowing museums, and wide variety of music. Outside of school, you will be enriched and happy. Hope that helps!

The listings service, JoyJobs, sets up a page with my pic and links to my resume. Sending a simple link in an e-mail I find to be very efficient. Your own web page sounds like it would be very slick and impress many. I'm on my third go-round, too. I think your information has to be accessible digitally, one way or another. When I am on the other end, I appreciate it.

Being honest (!) and just confronting these people is the easiest way out. I was harassed just by one student and one parent about a low grade. After explaining my position and having my gradebook scoured, they told me to give the student a B.S. assignment and grade it A and put the course average down at A. I should have followed the advice of a teacher who went through the same process and shared it with me- ask them what grade they want (admin) and pencil it in. End of heartache, paperwork, calculations, etc. You might feel a ding on your integrity, but carry it away with you. They are the ones subverting and compromising. I was on the verge of doing it for an entire first year IB DB class when the students alerted me that all their other subjects were higher. I checked the on line data base and the students were right! Their other science and math teachers had them all working at 4-6 and had them all predicted at 6-7! If any admin asks me what's wrong with my class or my grading system I will just request they tell me what grades to award. I could only fight it if there were a group of teachers on my side or at least 2 admins on my side. Otherwise I am whistlin Dixie.

My answer doesn't address your "boost" concerns directly, but in general, I would say in IS you can't fight grade corruption without a few allies. If you have people coming down the pike at you, you've got to say, 'yessir' Do it in the most painless way possible.

Hey Doc, no need to send me a personal message. We are posting this stuff so that others can read and learn a little, right? Your nice message could apply to many teachers in many parts of the world.

It is really unfortunate that so many people react negatively to the people who live in this region, based on news reports. Not on meeting them. The world is FULL of jackasses. They don't have them corralled here!! LoL

Example: everyone complains about the drivers/roads. I think they enhance the telling of the story because it makes for an exciting tale (and funny!) I have not seen anyone driving here any worse, than rush hour in Boston or Chicago! Slightly, but just so slightly, higher frequency of conflict. But not by much.

Another funny observation: I was in Oman and in a small town. Everybody waved and honked when they saw you. Just like the Southern U.S. !!!,(Alabama, Mississipi in my experience) Mostly in pickups and driving slow. Isn't that funny how similar people can be? Wonderful people, all over the globe.

Maybe we should start another thread just for "nice experiences" with Arab/Persian people, to counter the flood of other stories.

Salaam Alaykum (huh?! Yeah, Bro.)

Now that gives me something to work with. I am committed to taking motor tours and if I stop often and am friendly, this might lead to something. Should I fake a flat tire and see what happens? lol! I've heard legends about the Beduin hospitality. (well, read the book "Married to a Beduin" Is that a legend? from 1978?) A co-worker is a committed Muslim, but also a British national. Not local. I will ask him if he attends mosque regularly and the location. Maybe that is my beginning.

Your observations on Saudi are very helpful, too. It is a generally observant country, and if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!

Thank you, djekalo, for not making me feel like a tourist because of my curiosity. I will do my best to be a good guest and see where that leads me. Only 2 months in-country. Looking forward to 2 years. This is so cool.

I am an Anglo American and am fascinated by the Arab culture I find myself in. In country for a month, so most would say this is the 'honeymoon' phase. But I did get into this game for the experience and understanding.

My teaching world is made up of bloody Brits, and the students. I eat in local restaurants (when the Brits don't insist on Ponderosa, McD, etc.) and am avoiding the malls for shopping. The young teachers seem only interested in clubs and suntanning. Not getting any chances to talk, eat, visit with local people.

Would love to attend some services at the mosque, but everyone says that is not cool for westerners.

Would like to meet some of my student's families, but that is all professional and doesn't seem likely at this point.

Any tips on connecting with natives? Should I be more patient? Cultural events and weekend activities are very family oriented (lovely part of muslim culture) and I am single and male.

Tough question. You said your husband sees the whole 'region' as possibly unsafe. Each country has its own problems, history, and development. Currently in the Middle East. As an example, I've read books - the long term stability of Saudi, and they have real problems sustaining their spending, an exploding disaffected youth population, and a royal family at the top. In my opinion it will be a catastrophe- someday. When? Who knows? The country I'm in seems very safe and stable, but I can see that it won't last forever.

Also, people back home think I'm dodging islamacist bombs and forced to wear a burqua! Nothing could be further. Everyone has been friendly, and it is a beautiful country and people.

One more perception, my father worked in the ME in the 70's. We all thought it was unstable and violent. Look where we are, now! I would rather be here than a major U.S. city, or in a train tube in London/Madrid.

I know it is in another part of the world, but the concerns are the same. I would recommend not 100% relying on current news. Read some books about the history, find some longer essays with -, and choose one country not a region.

I am a new international teacher who is starting in the ME in about a week. I started the process as only an idea about a year ago. Cost of living and pay were too slippery a concept for me to ever nail down. Just do as much reading as you can, and use your own experience and judgment. I didn't get clear ideas about what I wanted until I had already started interviewing and listening to what schools had to say (and my focus was narrowed). Besides reading and researching on the internet, my process started with JoyJobs. For about 40 bucks they will put up a profile of you with your documents, resume, and references. Also, they offer a lot of articles that take days to read and absorb, but are very spot on for advice. My plan was to see if JJ worked (cheap) and then use a fair if nothing was panning out. While I was submitting my application/paperwork to ISS, things started heating up with interviews (Skype). I got about 1 response for every 20 e-mails I sent. I used the listings on JJ and TES to generate my e-mailing list. The further the process went, the more I learned about international teaching. I'm new to the racket, but my impression from the last year of job searching is that couples have an advantage over singles, currently, and 3 kids might be a bump in the road but you will never know until you try. Special Ed qualifications are write your own ticket. I am very happy with the school I chose. I lost two other good ones, turned down two weird/bad ones. There were maybe 5-8 others that danced with me. This is my first, so hope to have a different experience 2 years from now. I'm committed to this long term. Your mileage may vary!

Answer I can't find anywhere:
I understand Region codes on DVD's. If I bring my own Region 1 DVD player, can I then play my Region 1 DVD's? Using voltage/plug adapters, of course. Does the TV/monitor interrupt the process? It is a closed loop at that point, right?
Anyone who has tried it would be a great help!

I have as many questions as you. I'm doing the paperwork and researching as I go along. (I couldn't find anything cheaper)
Send Ging an e-mail and see what the company can do.

Whenever I hit the PM button, it says, "feature disabled". Send an e-mail to "Ging Trias <ging.trias@conterm.com>" Tell her you are an international teacher and you heard about her company Vanguard Logistics on a teacher forum. I asked her if they would like more teacher business. I've got my dates for shipping (about 20 days to cross the ocean) and she has put me in touch with their agent at the other end to deliver it to my school. I'm filling out paperwork right now, but it seems to be going smoothly. When I find added costs at the destination, I'll post those numbers.

What I meant is that there is a base cost and the weight doesn't drive it up very much. I think I could ship 600 lbs of crud for 280 bucks. It just gets cheaper and cheaper per lb. It is tempting to scrape up 400 lbs of stuff and not have to say, "yes" or "no". I'm sure some people can't say, "no". But at the other end, I'm going to have to find space for 400 lbs of crud and then when (if?) I leave, start the whole process over. Better, now.
200 lbs is plenty. I've got the essentials, plus a few comfort items.
There was no negotiating, you big nut. Don't beat that dead horse!