Search found 13 matches

by aburr
Tue Feb 11, 2020 9:34 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Roth IRA and Foreign-Earned Income
Replies: 11
Views: 20115

Roth IRA and Foreign-Earned Income

I've been doing tons of research on this topic and, long story short, found out that foreign-earned income cannot be used to fund a Roth IRA. For those who somehow don't know, a Roth IRA is one of the best investment vehicles for your retirement. Sadly, this I think is only available to US expats. I would assume England and other countries has something similar, but in any case I'm an American so I've only looked up info on American investment opportunities.

Anyway, I found a back-door way to fund it using foreign-earned income that according to our tax expert is perfectly legal. It's actually very simple. Fund a traditional IRA with your foreign-earned income and then roll that money over to your Roth. The money gets reported as income, but due to the $24,000 or so dollars of standard deduction, it gets written off and you pay no taxes on it. The important thing to note is that you CANNOT use the foreign-earned income exclusion on the money you invest in the Roth because the exclusion makes it look like to the US govt that you are not reporting any earnings (or something like that). You must use the standard deduction on the money you rollover to the Roth.

What does everyone think? Does this sound legal? I did some research on the Interwebs and found a few websites supporting this idea, but of course they're a little out of date. I would love if some other IE's talked to their tax people and we could try to figure this out together. Thanks!
by aburr
Fri Jun 23, 2017 10:00 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: How many people are hired before the fairs?
Replies: 12
Views: 17122

Re: How many people are hired before the fairs?

Hi Shopaholic,

Really, in order to discuss hiring practices, we need to break it down by best schools vs. worst schools, not location-based. Generally speaking, the best schools are organized and hire as early as possible in order to get the best candidate before other jobs have chances to make their offer. That being said, a lot of schools have the date by which an employee must inform the school of their intentions for next year as somewhere around mid to late December. With that in mind, and also thinking that most schools go on Christmas break shortly after that date, the BKK job fair continues to be the best fair to go to if you must go to one. The important thing to remember is that every single school and it's hiring practices differ. Some require a meet and greet in person, but most, if they are a decent school, want to hire as early as possible before the best candidates get taken by other schools. If that means hiring on Skype, so be it.

Now, the worst of schools will utilize any and every means necessary to get a candidate. Skype interview? In-person interview? No interview whatsoever? Lying? Cheating? Stealing? All check! Nothing really matters to these schools since they know that once you get into country, your rights are nonexistent and they've got you. Not just physically, but financially as well as many other ways.

Honestly, the best way to land a job for the next year is to have everything in order (references, CV's, etc.) before the school year prior to your move. Such as if you are wanting a job somewhere else for the '18-'19 school year, you really need to have all your job search materials ready by September 1, 2017 at the latest. That way, when jobs start posting, and they do indeed start getting posted that early, you can be the first applicant.

Hope this helps!
by aburr
Sun May 28, 2017 8:37 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: British and American International Schools
Replies: 13
Views: 21235

Re: British and American International Schools

@psyguy
Like I said, I totally understand the flip side to the argument. It's a complicated issue and, not to be evasive, I'm not here to offer solutions. The main point I was trying to make was that government-mandated tests are seen as creativity-killers in the states whereas in the UK, at least in my experience, they are greeted with arms wide open- forgive the Creed reference. Haha! Personally I feel they do inhibit creativity in the classroom, from a year-to-year standpoint in that, like I said before, without major changes to the syllabus, a teacher very well could teach the same lessons year in and year out for a decade. Again, this goes against everything I was taught as a teacher. It's a nuanced argument and I think I have possibly caused this thread to get WAY off topic.

To the OP, my apologies. In my experience, I've seen great British teachers never get an interview at an American school and terrible ones get interviews, and vice-versa. Honestly, it's a case-by-case scenario. I think for your first American school, if you are applying to top-tier schools, it might be tough for you, but not impossible. I've talked with HR people at different schools and asked them how they go about selecting candidates for interviews and every school is different. Sometimes a computer algorithm selects the best 10-15 candidates from hundreds of applicants. Sometimes, it's just how your CV looks (no kidding on that one). Sometimes it's how an applicant answered a specific question on a questionnaire. Sometimes, someone with the necessary credentials actually painstakingly printed out all of the documentation, compared it with others, and selected the best candidates. Often times, those are not the most fun of interviews because the person you're speaking with is WAY over-worked. Best of luck to you in your search!

@shadylane
You are correct sir! :) AP and A level is the more appropriate comparison. I just tossed all of these exams together (GCSE/A level/ US state-mandated exams) in the way that more often than not, state-mandated exams are a requirement to get into US universities (In order to get into an American university, you must graduate from high school. Most states require that you pass a certain number of state-mandated exams in order to graduate.), and GCSE's/A levels are a requirement for university entry as well. Sort of painting with broad strokes, but I was not trying to make a comparison based on content, just entry requirements. Splitting hairs maybe. :)
by aburr
Thu May 25, 2017 2:49 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: British and American International Schools
Replies: 13
Views: 21235

Re: British and American International Schools

@psyguy
It's definitely possible. You bring up some good points. Personally, I don't think the debate was as a result of constant change, even though there was much consternation within the workplace when things were going to change. I think, and any other American teachers can correct me if I'm wrong on this, that the debate was that government-mandated testing ties teachers hands, inhibiting creativity of the teacher and student alike, and also relegating a student's worth to society down to a letter grade. I most definitely understand the flip-side of that coin (Well how do you assess a student's work in a classroom if not giving a grade?) and I'm not here to give answers to that. I'm just simply saying that, again in my experience, the Brits I worked with acted totally okay focusing whole-heartedly on whatever was on the A level exam and ignoring anything else that wasn't on it. I remember in America, that type of forced-blinders teaching was very much disliked.
by aburr
Wed May 24, 2017 9:23 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: British and American International Schools
Replies: 13
Views: 21235

Re: British and American International Schools

The main problem I've had working in British schools as a Yankee is that I don't even feel like there is a push from British educators to get away from being solely focused on exam results. For example, in my time in the US, every single time admin brought up in a faculty meeting anything about state-mandated tests or the results (even if they were good), there were audible groans from all the teachers. Most of the time, the admin would even couch anything they were about to say with "I know we don't like talking about [insert state-mandated tests name], but we have to." I hate over-generalizations, but I'll go out on a limb and say most American teacher don't like state-mandated tests. We understand why they are in place, but we hate the restrictions they come with.

In my time at a British school, it really seems like every single British teacher loved IGCSE's and A levels. I would ask them if there is a debate about government-mandated testing in the UK and they would say definitively that there is not. Most of the teachers I worked with would admit that they had files they kept, whether digital or paper, that allowed them to teach the same lessons that they had taught 10 year ago the same exact way. They would update a few things here and there only of the syllabus had been updated. They ultimately liked the idea that a student's worth to society is boiled down to a letter grade.

All of this is so far outside of what I as an educator had been taught. I will be the first one to say that America certainly does not have the perfect education system, but at least there is debate about it.

Again, this is my experience at one British international school. If any other Brits feel differently about this or think my experience is wildly off-mark, please comment because after our experience, my wife and I never want our child to go to a British school.
by aburr
Thu Apr 20, 2017 9:55 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Visa Issues
Replies: 5
Views: 11291

Visa Issues

Hi ISR Community,

So my wife and I recently accepted a dream job in India. We're super excited about it! A few issues we're having, though, that I'm hoping everyone here can help with.

We're currently employed by a school in China and are coming to the end of our 2-year contract. In order to get an Indian visa, we thought we could simply go through the Indian Embassy in Beijing, but we were told very explicitly that is not a possibility because, according to multiple officials at the embassy, an applicant for an Indian visa at the Beijing Embassy must have lived in China for a full 2 years by the date of the application. By the date of the application, which is right around now, we would have lived in China for approximately 1 year and 8 months. We were told that we must apply through an embassy in our home country- USA.

So, we found out that to apply through our home country, we must fill out an application with a company called CKGS and they would forward the application to the Indian Embassy in whichever American city we would like. We called CKGS before we started and discussed the particulars and were told that the only problem might be that they cannot accept our passports through mail sent from China. We asked if we could mail our PP's to a family member with an American address and were told that should be okay.

That was all a few weeks ago. Now, after filling out all the documents, notarizing, and everything, we called CKGS one last time to ensure that everything we had was correct before we mail off everything to the US. We're now told that this company, per regulations setup by the Indian Embassy, do not accept applications from persons living abroad. We were told that we must be currently residing in the US in order to get approved. To be sure, we have a permanent US address, and that is all that their application ever asked for. Nowhere was it stated that we must be physically residing in the US in order to get a visa, but now we have come to this block. We have emailed our new school's HR and the guy we discussed this with is seeing if he can get an exception made for us since we are in a bureaucratic black hole, but I certainly don't know for sure what might happen from this.

Does anybody have any experience with these types of issues? We don't want to be denied on our application because that sticks with you on your record and we most certainly don't want to lose these great jobs due to this type of silliness. I'm probably panicking for no good reason, but any help would be appreciated! :)
by aburr
Thu Mar 16, 2017 2:05 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Part 2 - told the kids
Replies: 18
Views: 30323

Re: Part 2 - told the kids

It sounds like you are great parents and you have nothing to feel terribly about. Just remember all the reasons why you chose to take the job and morale will improve. Give your kiddos a few days, maybe weeks, hopefully not months but possibly, and everything will start improving. Best of luck to you and yours!!!
by aburr
Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:00 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Telling the kids
Replies: 42
Views: 69941

Re: Telling the kids

Hi CanChi4,

I will take Thames Pirates approach and not tell you what TO say, but what not to say/do. I don't have any first-hand experience with this, but second-hand through my wife who moved from the States to China as an 8th grader and unequivocally her parents handled it the wrong way (this is her words, not mine). Basically, for a variety of reasons, they told her only 3 weeks before the actual move, told her that they were not happy about it either, had huge fights throughout the extended family since the extended family had the same feelings as the parents. Once overseas, the parents refused to adjust to the new culture, spoke badly in front of her about the locals and about how bad her international school was (she went to a great school as a matter of fact and she herself was very happy about the school). I mean she lived in Beijing for a year and never once saw the wall, Forbidden City, anything. Long story short, her parents did NOT want to leave America, but the Fathers job forced him to China (oil field) and they let everyone know of their unhappiness. She says that was one of the hardest years of her life.

So, in summary, I second a lot of Thames Pirates advice, but also do your best to get extended family on your side as well. Also, once overseas, make sure to take your kids out and about to show them that your new home is pretty cool (hopefully it's an interesting place culturally and historically). Also, as tough as it may be, try not to show your culture shock to your children. Even if you have visited your future home many times before, living in a place and visiting it can be two very different things.

Good luck and let us know how it goes! Crossing my fingers for you since we have a 3-year old and those times are right around the corner for us!
by aburr
Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:14 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: filing taxes question
Replies: 30
Views: 49134

Re: filing taxes question

Another question for this thread: Are you allowed to contribute to a Roth IRA while teaching overseas? I can't seem to get a clear answer from this when I try to research it online. My salary is within the amount that I would be allowed to contribute in America, and of course I file my taxes every year and follow all the rules. Just wondering if any other IE's have a Roth and are currently overseas. Thanks!
by aburr
Mon Feb 20, 2017 7:30 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Search Associates Shrinking?
Replies: 24
Views: 52665

Re: Search Associates Shrinking?

I don't know if they are indeed shrinking, in terms of numbers of schools registered, but as far as I can tell they still have most of the top schools in Asia, Europe, and Africa. I'm not too familiar honestly with South America, but you can see which schools are registered with Search here: https://www.searchassociates.com/Schools/Default.aspx

I'll say this, I got my job I am starting in July and my current job with Search. I love Search! If it weren't for them, I would probably still be slaving away in the States. Thanks John and Susan Ritter! :)

...and no, I am NOT a spokesperson or anything like that for them. Just a normal IE like the rest of us.
by aburr
Mon Feb 13, 2017 9:31 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Cost of living in Qingdao
Replies: 9
Views: 17641

Re: Cost of living in Qingdao

Hi Splendid,

Again, if each contract is around the $40,000 USD mark for a family of 4, you should be able to sustain a happy life. So you and your spouse's contract need to be near $40,000 totaling to about $80,000 a year. Keep in mind that a "happy life" is highly subjective and if your definition of a happy life is first class tickets for the whole family every couple months to Rome and staying in 5-star hotels, the aforementioned salary will not get you there. If a happy life means traveling around SE Asia a little, staying in cheaper boutique hotels and eating lots of (delicious) street food, you could definitely do that on $80,000 a year and save a good chunk. Even stating that, there are a bunch of "buts" and "what-ifs." Things that could derail your savings or travels- health of you and your family, home country debt, health of family back home, vacation destinations, feeling like you must go back home every few months, I could go on.

In my time in IE, I've seen people blow through perfectly sustainable salaries, saving nothing during their contract due to a variety of factors and end up being extremely unhappy due to this. The only reason I am being perhaps a little unclear on the answer you are looking for is because everybody's definition of a "happy life" is different and even though I have personally told any new IE that has asked me what their salary would allow them to do, I've still seen some IE's seemingly disregard the advice (which they are perfectly allowed to do) and then slowly grow unhappy. Once someone has stayed in the Marriott in Tokyo, it can be very difficult to change that lifestyle.
by aburr
Mon Feb 06, 2017 7:34 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Cost of living in Qingdao
Replies: 9
Views: 17641

Re: Cost of living in Qingdao

CanChi4 wrote:
> aburr wrote:
> > Hi Canchi 4,
> >
> > In order to give a very good answer, I'll need a little more info. When you
> > say "some traveling" do you mean traveling around SE Asia or
> > Europe. Most salaries in Qingdao will not be enough to be sending you first
> > class to Rome every break, but if you simply want to travel to Thailand and
> > Malaysia a couple times, you should do okay on about $40,000 USD a year per
> > contract. This is assuming that you ad your spouse would be hired with at
> > least the stated salary. If it's less than this, your savings will be
> > effected.
>
> Just checking - are you stating that both that both spouses need to make at least
> $40,000 each? Or are you stating that a family of 4 can live on the $40,000?
> BTW - We are fine with being cattle in coach although we dream about having those
> nice beds in business class!!!

Each contract should be around the $40,000 USD mark (both you and your spouse each) in order to have a happy life. If you are making drastically lower than that, your savings will be impacted. To answer your question, you can sustain a life in Qingdao on just even $20,000 each a year, but that will mean almost no savings. For me, I would then ask myself "What am I doing all the way over in China, away from family for extended amounts of time, dealing with all the negatives (and positives) China has to offer if I'm not saving a ton?"

Most reputable, even some not so reputable, schools in Qingdao pay around $40,000 a year for a certified teacher. If you are applying to a school that is way lower, I would be wary of that school. Hope this helps!
by aburr
Mon Feb 06, 2017 12:46 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Cost of living in Qingdao
Replies: 9
Views: 17641

Re: Cost of living in Qingdao

Hi Canchi 4,

In order to give a very good answer, I'll need a little more info. When you say "some traveling" do you mean traveling around SE Asia or Europe. Most salaries in Qingdao will not be enough to be sending you first class to Rome every break, but if you simply want to travel to Thailand and Malaysia a couple times, you should do okay on about $40,000 USD a year per contract. This is assuming that you ad your spouse would be hired with at least the stated salary. If it's less than this, your savings will be effected.

Qingdao is a decent place to start out, but I would not recommend staying long term with children as the smog, even in the outskirts of town, is pretty awful during the winter. There is no shortage of Western style shopping places in downtown. A lot of great soft play areas for your children to play in (I don't know their ages, but just in case they're young).

Something that you need to be aware of- the value of the USD versus RMB has gone up dramatically in the last 2 years. If this continues, your stated salary, which will most likely be in RMB, will not go as far as you might be thinking. From the time that I signed my contract with my current school 2 year ago to now, I have lost about $3000 a year. Other things, most schools in Qingdao do not pay for your child to go on any trips they might go on as a class. If they are older and their class is going on a week trip to Bangkok, this will come out of your pocket. Pretty drastic cost, but hopefully this has already been explained to you by admin at the school. Good Luck!