Search found 35 matches

by whynot
Sat Jun 12, 2021 10:47 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Covid and Breaking New Contract
Replies: 20
Views: 17797

Re: Covid and Breaking New Contract

@sid
They're not using Covid as an excuse, they're using it as a reason.

@secondplace
A contract supersedes safety? It's better to be moral and legal than safe?


Really disappointing to hear these viewpoints. In a pandemic, safety comes first. Period.
by whynot
Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:15 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching Abroad and Home Ownership
Replies: 13
Views: 21299

Re: Teaching Abroad and Home Ownership

As someone mentioned I think its always good to have somewhere as a bolthole if it all goes pearshaped. I've seen people leaving schools/countries with nowhere really to go. Anything can happen in international education.
A 'lock up and leave' or townhouse type of property, as someone else has talked about, is more low stress.
Also, in some places you might be priced out of the market. In my country real estate has been flying ahead. In the last years my house has made as much money in capital gain as my salary. If I didn't have it, and having a property was a goal, then financially I would have been working these last years for nothing.
by whynot
Sun Jun 10, 2018 2:03 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Maarif Foundation schools
Replies: 4
Views: 7329

Re: Maarif Foundation schools

As it's more of a general question I'll let it stand until Admin tells me. Unless the rumors are true and you actually are Admin.
by whynot
Sun Jun 10, 2018 1:54 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Maarif Foundation schools
Replies: 4
Views: 7329

Maarif Foundation schools

Hi all

Anyone had any experience, or know anyone else who has, working with these schools?

cheers
by whynot
Mon May 14, 2018 10:55 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Help Me Gauge My Desirability?
Replies: 8
Views: 14520

Re: Help Me Gauge My Desirability?

General advice: you mention Switzerland or Hong Kong. These are reasonably sought after areas, especially for a newbie. Are you thinking outside these areas? Because if you're looking for a fairytale placement, it may not happen. Your credentials are what they appear to be worth to a recruiter, not to you. If you're willing to accept an initial placement outside these areas, you might have a better chance of getting where you want to go.
by whynot
Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:48 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: International Schools and Divorce
Replies: 19
Views: 27411

Re: International Schools and Divorce

No stats to give, just anecdotal. There seems to be a proportionally higher number of divorced staff in international schools.

If it's representative, divorced teachers seem to be more prone then others to migrate to an international school, whether it be called 'freedom', 'finding yourself' 'doing something good' or 'running away'. Different perspectives.

If you're looking for a causal factor for a couple while teaching in an international school, I don't think you can pin it on to workload alone. There are a whole lot of interconnected factors that might be in play. Stress due to a different environment, and lack of support structures would be biggies. Underlying incompatibilities that are brought out in a different environment would be another.

That interviewer of yours sounds like a peach. Bags not work for his school.
by whynot
Wed Jan 10, 2018 11:25 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Junior Teacher - getting into international teaching
Replies: 11
Views: 14997

Re: Junior Teacher - getting into international teaching

You won't know unless you try, and it's worth a try. It sounds like your heart is in the right place, and that counts for a lot. Teaching back home has its challenges, and I don't begrudge anyone who finds it difficult. At least you did it - I have met many ITs who haven't taught back in their home country systems and I find that they are the ones who have unrealistic expectations. It's a good yardstick. You will almost certainly find teaching overseas easier to manage and better for your health, while still making a difference.

Your background will be an asset. Good luck.
by whynot
Sat Jan 06, 2018 2:19 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: currently separated
Replies: 8
Views: 10676

Re: currently separated

I think for clarity you shouldn't put married as people will be asking you about your spouse and you will probably end up having to invent responses, which is never good. This could get complicated (e.g when is your hubby coming to visit you? Oh, you must miss him so much...) and might also not be good for your frame of mind. Single provides clarity. Divorced also provides clarity (even if you're officially not, no-one needs to know the details) depending on how far along the separation process you are in your own head.

I think the deciding factor should be what you are most comfortable talking about emotionally.

Good luck. Hang in there.
by whynot
Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:10 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Is this really a career anymore? Economists, can you answer?
Replies: 95
Views: 1197425

Re: Is this really a career anymore? Economists, can you ans

Here's a bullshit economist's view from a scientist:

There's lots of talk about supply and demand, and of course this is the governing factor as far as demand (hiring) is concerned. The numbers ARE in favour of demand. But from the supply side, quality is the emotional factor that is involved, and not always recognised from the demand side. Every (*ahem, almost every*) international teacher believes they are quality and should demand a premium price. As in any product, the consumers get the ultimate say (whether rightly or wrongly) but the retailers (the hirers) decide the choice of products available to the consumer. There's a whole host of geo-emotional factors in play here.
by whynot
Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:30 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Canadian International School Singapore Questions
Replies: 7
Views: 16069

Re: Canadian International School Singapore Questions

Adding on to taxes:
Singapore's income tax rates are graduated, so let's say your total taxable income is $100,000 - even though you are in the 11.5% band, because of the graduation you will pay about 5600 i.e. 5.6%. Check out iras.gov.sg
by whynot
Thu Oct 15, 2015 9:12 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Staying international or going home?
Replies: 13
Views: 21921

Re: Staying international or going home?

How much do you miss home?

I spent years overseas, both on the circuit and doing 'other things', never missed home, like shadowjack I went back twice and then headed back overseas again. Thought I'd be on the road forever. And then unexpectedly I got weary, not from being in a classroom with kids - that's still keeps me going - but from not having any roots. As an international teacher, you're almost always temporary. If you're ok with that, and are happy taking the good things from your life in a country and then moving out, sounds like it's for you.

In my own case, through personal circumstance, I'm able to live in my spouses' country, a 'nice' country, with a visa. I'm sure we might be having further adventures of some kind, but for the most part we'll be staying reasonably close to home.
by whynot
Fri May 15, 2015 8:29 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: ISS Singapore
Replies: 11
Views: 24289

Re: ISS Singapore

Good clear post migratingbird, I concur.

As has been stated many times throughout this whole forum, it depends on your lifestyle and spending. Putting it simply: if you like to drink a lot, don't come here.

An example: after work today my wife and I went to a local hawker centre and had a great slap-up meal of the fantastic local dishes, and a couple of beers. Expenses very reasonable, about the same salary/expenses ratio as most (admittedly not all) of the countries I've lived in.

I also brew my own beer. I call it 'lah'.
by whynot
Fri Apr 24, 2015 7:37 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Recent Issues
Replies: 2
Views: 5537

Re: Recent Issues

@National - excellent, thoughtful post.
by whynot
Sun Mar 29, 2015 10:48 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What's it like at the bottom of the barrel?
Replies: 40
Views: 55947

Re: What's it like at the bottom of the barrel?

Agree, it's not necessarily bad being at the bottom, it means different things to different people at different times. I worked in a country many people would consider right at the bottom and had a good experience. I now live in a country many people want to live in and it's kinda the same feeling.
by whynot
Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:30 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: advice for personality conflict with director
Replies: 39
Views: 42485

Re: advice for personality conflict with director

I've been through this as well. It was just my time, the longer you are on the circuit the more likely this is to happen. Everyone thinks this couldn't happen to them, but like other posters I've seen it happen regularly. Most times your strengths and weaknesses will be ok in a school, sometimes they will put you at risk.

Try not to take it too hard. There is life after this, you will be able to carry on and have an international career (if that's what you want).