I'm not giving up, but OP I feel this way too. I have finished "second" twice and am a little discouraged. Nonetheless, I know that I probably wasn't the best fit for the schools and that I will find something down the line.

I agree with PsyGuy on this one. Something similar happened to me a couple years ago and it quickly became a headache. If they want you, they will act quickly.

Thanks everyone, this is all very helpful.

Typically, how many interviews does an IS require before making a decision for a non administrative position?

OP, Mamfeman's response is correct. I've spent a lot of time on the continent and one can save money if they change certain aspects of their lifestyle (e.g. eating fruit in season). Unless you're going to Southern Africa or Angola, the citizens in most places do not have a lot of disposable income. If you want to live the exact same way as your home country, you may find yourself spending money quickly. Good luck in your decision.

Is this really necessary? The OP already stated that she's going to take the position. If you have nothing positive to say, then read the post and move on.

I'm in this situation now. I can tell you what a colleague did. When she was in this situation, she contacted the dream job and stated that she would like to work at School A because it was her dream job, but that school B made her an offer. Would it be possible to know whether she would receive another interview or not? It was a bold move, but it worked out in her favour as School A responded with a second interview and subsequently gave her the job. It may be risky, I'm going to do it in my case. I have nothing to lose. I'm sure some people on this forum would disagree, but it would for my colleague and it's better to be proactive (not pushy or aggressive) than to not know.

In summer, its extremely hot, humid, and little wind. Winter is more bearable as there's less coal being burned, more blue skies, and its windier (though colder). Either way, if this would make your career, I would do it. I personally like Beijing a lot and appreciate the grittiness.

If it's a great school, I would do it. HOWEVER, the pollution in BJ is really that bad. I'm ready to leave it all behind in July. My daughter has a chronic mild wheeze and we are tired of being cooped up inside for days at a time. It's not a constant living situation though. This month, BJ had about 10 days of great air. In my opinion, summer is the worst, but you will probably be traveling at that time. Good luck in your decision.

Congratulations! It's one less thing to think of and worry about. :)

Don't have much to add besides the fact that AS Warsaw has filled the majority of their positions. Go to their website to see what's still available. It seems like they filled the bulk over the Winter break. I wish you both all the best.

Thanks everyone for your advice. Since my field is extremely specialized and I do have a lot of experience and a decent network, I think I will continue to go at it on my own. I will post if I receive any offers.

Hi again,

This may sound a bit vague, but I was wondering if someone is familiar with the pay scale across various cities in Malaysia as a teacher. I'm not picking out a particular city and I've already been to Malaysia a few times, so I'm aware of the cost of living. I would just like to know what is considered below average, average, and above average. Thanks a lot.

Hi all,

I was wondering how many people on here have secured positions without going using agencies like ISS and Search. I've seen a lot of positions that I'm qualified for directly on school sites, but am wondering if I'm at a disadvantage by not being represented by someone.

Hi, I live in Guomao area of BJ for the past year and have mixed feelings of the city. I love the culture, good support system, great professional network, and quality local/international restaurants. On the other hand, the pollution is really brutal (I moved from Vancouver) and can be downright depressing. I have a child, so am heavily considering moving on, but for one without kids, I would recommend it for 2-3 years...especially if its a Tier 1 school. Beijing is more expensive than you may think, but you will probably still be able to save.