Search found 23 matches

by wander
Mon Mar 13, 2023 9:29 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Situation in Peru
Replies: 3
Views: 6360

Re: Situation in Peru

I have a friend in Lima. She goes about her normal life. The protests don't seem to affect her at all.
by wander
Thu Apr 15, 2021 11:13 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Situation in Thailand
Replies: 15
Views: 21928

Re: Situation in Thailand

The situation probably changed after you interviewed based on the data I see for Thailand. I would still say Thailand is much better off than a lot of the world. There are very few places you could go in August that won't still be feeling some effects from Covid for a while. I think you should stick with your commitment.
by wander
Sun Jan 10, 2021 4:23 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any thoughts on the Search Fair coming up?
Replies: 8
Views: 8849

Re: Any thoughts on the Search Fair coming up?

There seems to be much more hiring happening outside of the fairs this year, based on what I've seen. I know my school basically wrapped it all up in November. Since everything is virtual anyway, there really is no reason to wait and conduct interviews at the fair.
by wander
Wed Aug 12, 2020 11:52 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Beginning Of The End for China Foreign Teachers?
Replies: 54
Views: 66711

Re: Beginning Of The End for China Foreign Teachers?

China is one place that I would absolutely never consider a job, no matter how great the pay. Nope.
by wander
Sun May 24, 2020 8:46 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: So, if the border isn't open...
Replies: 29
Views: 34151

Re: So, if the border isn't open...

@t_rock

I absolutely agree with you. I'm just saying that these are conversations people should be having with their new school now. If you are no longer comfortable with the job, for whatever reason, you should ask to be released from the contract. I know my current school and future school have both told new hires that they will release them without any problem if the teacher feels that is what's best for their family.

I don't think it's advisable for teachers to be out there accepting multiple jobs and then picking one when the time comes.
by wander
Sun May 24, 2020 4:21 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: So, if the border isn't open...
Replies: 29
Views: 34151

Re: So, if the border isn't open...

I think people need to be very careful about how they handle this situation. Yes, it's making us all anxious. However, most teachers are going to be just fine. We may not arrive at the time we were supposed to, but we will get there when the borders open. I don't think applying for and accepting multiple jobs and hoping one of them works out is the best advice. We all know what a small world international teaching is. You could be putting your reputation and your career at risk.

Reach out to your school and ask if your contract is guaranteed for 2020-2021. If they are unwilling or unable to answer that question THEN you need to explore options. That may mean that you ask to be released from the contract and search for something else. If your school has told you that your job is safe then that's really the best they can do. I'm not sure what people expect from them. Do you want them to wire you $10,000 as a guarantee? I feel like too many people work from the idea that all of these schools are just out to screw teachers when given the chance. The vast majority of schools want to do right by their staff. If you accepted a job at one of the exceptions then I suspect you are aware of that.
by wander
Sat May 23, 2020 6:11 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: So, if the border isn't open...
Replies: 29
Views: 34151

Re: Discussion

PsyGuy wrote:
> @wander
>
> So youve been told something, is that the sole extent of your guarantee? If
> so then its nothing, its nothing more than the grin and handshake of a used
> car salesman saying "trust me". Whats to stop your IS or your
> leadership saying, sorry things have changed our enrollment is down, were
> still doing online, parents didnt pay tuition/fees, we cant get visas, our
> goldfish died, sorry we are rescinding the contract. Poof its all gone,
> whats the guarantee mean then? Unless theres some insurance scheme or
> policy, or legal recourse or the IS is transferring coin to your account in
> advance your guarantee is pillow talk, whispers on the wind.


I generally tend to ignore your posts because I think 90% of what you have to say you just pull out of thin air, but since you replied to me directly then I’ll respond.

I have zero reason to doubt my school is being honest with me. It’s a reputable school, they have been upfront and on top of things through this entire situation, and they have already wired my moving allowance. I am simply sharing my experience. I am 100% confident that my contract will be honored. The point I was making to the original poster was that I would be concerned if my school had not shared a detailed plan yet on how they will handle this situation.
by wander
Fri May 22, 2020 9:21 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: So, if the border isn't open...
Replies: 29
Views: 34151

Re: So, if the border isn't open...

I have had a couple of meetings with my new school about different scenarios that may unfold. I have been told that all new teachers will have their contracts honored, even if we can’t get into the country for the start of the school year. The school is doing everything possible to work with the government to get us in, even if borders are still closed. There is a possibility that I will begin the year teaching remotely from the states. They are even going to throw in some extra money for rent if we need to stay in our home country longer than expected.

Any decent school should have already developed a plan for what they are going to do in August. I would be very concerned if my school was not addressing this issue directly. I would ask them point blank if your contract is guaranteed next year under all scenarios. If they are not willing or able to answer that question then I’d start poking around to see what else is out there.
by wander
Tue Mar 03, 2020 3:49 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Is Search still worth it?
Replies: 22
Views: 34244

Re: Is Search still worth it?

I think Search was worth it, but it really depends on what you are looking for in a job (as others have said). My representative was very responsive and the data base is the best. I also signed up for ISS but wasn't impressed. It seemed that many schools had partially filled information and the quality of the schools was not as strong as Search (just my opinion).

In the end, I ended up landing a dream job at a Search Fair and I'm sure that would not have happened if I had only applied directly through the school. It was the face to face introduction and interview at the fair that did it. Was it expensive? Yes, but more than worth it in the end.
by wander
Mon Feb 03, 2020 11:26 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: I wish I had known....
Replies: 6
Views: 14876

Re: I wish I had known....

I wish I had made a plan for investing earlier. I will be fine, but I could be in a great place if I had opened up that Vanguard account five years earlier.
by wander
Mon Feb 03, 2020 11:24 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Search, China, and Reneging
Replies: 18
Views: 33494

Re: Search, China, and Reneging

I would hope that Search could understand the situation, but you are taking the risk of being banned if they don't. Personally, I would back out. The situation seems serious and who knows how truthful the Chinese government is being.
by wander
Tue Jan 21, 2020 1:18 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Current 2019 list of countries with best savings potential
Replies: 66
Views: 108689

Re: Current 2019 list of countries with best savings potenti

1. Is anyone else sick and tired of the same posters cluttering up the board with their nonsense? It makes it very difficult to follow the actual conversation.

2. Would you really get to enjoy Latin American culture working in Venezuela? I consider myself pretty adventurous but that is a step too far. There is a common misconception that you can't save much money in Latin America. I've been in the region for 8 years and save plenty, and I'm not currently at what one would consider a top tier school in the region. No, you won't save what you could in the ME or some parts of Asia, but you can definitely put a good chunk of money away with very little effort.
by wander
Mon Jan 20, 2020 2:55 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Feeling very stressed in my new city - Advice?
Replies: 37
Views: 51821

Re: Feeling very stressed in my new city - Advice?

This doesn't sound like a legitimate school is my first thought. I would try to find a way to get settled but also develop an exit plan.
by wander
Mon Jan 20, 2020 2:51 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: contract back out repercussions
Replies: 34
Views: 46924

Re: contract back out repercussions

Maybe talk with your supervisor and be up front about it? I did this during my last search. I told him that I wanted to explore a few possibilities and he agreed to try and fill my job last. That bought me a couple of extra months to look around before I gave a firm yes or no to returning.

I ended up staying with the school until for a couple of extra years before finally landing my dream job this recruiting cycle.
by wander
Wed Nov 20, 2019 10:25 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Quito Thoughts?
Replies: 4
Views: 6672

Quito Thoughts?

I have a job offer in Quito. I really enjoyed my interview with the principal so that's a plus. I feel like I would like the city (I'm currently in another Latin American capitol). My main concern is the ability to save. The salary would be 30,000 usd minus 8% in taxes. Anyone have experience living in Ecuador? Thoughts on Quito? Thoughts on savings potential (single teacher)?