ME versus other areas; IE versus EE; it's really a bunch of personal decisions.

I am entering IE mid-career. I would gladly take less money to teach subjects I like, to students who want to learn, and using my skills in science education if the other option is teaching ESL. As a mid-career teacher I also have the background to break into IE at the level where I don't have to make that choice. Clearly others, perhaps mostly younger folks but I don't want to judge, might well say that shorter working hours and the ability to start out earning more (with the trade off of not having much of an advancement route) is a better deal even if it means you are entertaining as much as teaching.

On the other hand my wife and I have no interest in the compound life in the ME (Saudi Arabia and UAE more or less). Pollution in big Asian cities isn't as big a deal to us although it is a factor. I can easily see someone making the opposite choice.

I'd be interested to know the reaction from teachers in Korean IS after Senator Graham's call for the removal of American military dependents.

PsyGuy wrote:
> @MrKamikazi
>
> 1) Is the region one that provides some form of social insurance program to
> residents, such as the EU for example?

Yes. On the other hand when the question was raised there was no mention of the national plan.

> 2) Is it possible that someone in HR who drafted your contract/offer is
> unaware of your spouse?

No.

> 3) Is this a 'give away' to negotiation (they dont offer you insurance for
> your spouse you 'negotiate for it', they give it to you, because they dont
> really care, and you feel like you won)?

Does not seem to be after the point was raised.

> 4) Have you asked or inquired with leadership for an explanation? It could
> be a number of reasons, such as they generally only hire singles or
> teaching couples and dont have a mechanism to add a non-working spouse to
> the policy)?

That seems to be the case - it is "being looked into" but it seems they just don't currently have a way to add a spouse as a trailing spouse (unlike kids) is not viewed as a dependent.

> 5) This could simply be their means of rejecting your application, giving
> you an offer you wouldnt accept. There could be internal politics or
> conflicting issues within the IS (someone was told to offer you the
> appointment but someone doesnt want you, and this way they can claim you
> declined the position).

Doesn't seem to be the case as it was in the policy handbook for all teachers not in a specific contract drafted for me. I brought it up as it seemed odd.

> It would surprise me an IS that offered an appointment without
> consideration for a spouse.

Interesting.

The travel portion doesn't surprise me but I seem to have found an offer that doesn't cover a trailing spouse. Its not a deal breaker by any means but it is somewhat awkward.

Do contracts normally include insurance for trailing spouses? What about transportation or airfare?

I used Europe specifically because I am interested in all sections. Naturally the compensation and cost of living would effect things but but from a purely interest standpoint I like the Baltics, Eastern Europe, and some of the more fringe Western areas (Portugal, Malta) as much as the more big name countries.

I am looking into teaching outside of the US. I am physics certified with over 10 years of AP experience plus experience in teaching science research and starting a successful robotics team. I will have a trailing spouse but no other dependents. I would like the mythical "tier 1" job instantly but, in reality, I'm not restricting my search to only plum positions. So how easy is it to get into Europe? Is there a specific agency that is better for American schools in Europe (I'm not ruling out British schools but I have to think I would be at a disadvantage applying to them)?