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by gatorade2020
Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:33 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Stay or go?
Replies: 9
Views: 11071

Stay or go?

I was really excited to start my international career this fall, but am now re-evaluating everything in light of COVID-19. I'm looking for some advice.

Here's my situation:
-Accepted a position in South America via Search.
-My assignment begins in late July.
-Currently living in the US in a state with a strict (and indefinite) shelter-in-place order.
-My current school in the states is actively interviewing to fill my position, but has indicated they would retain me in a heartbeat. I probably have about a week to let them know.

My concerns:
-Having a VERY short window of time between the ending of the shelter-in-place order and my departure, leaving me with little to no time for some logistical aspects of moving abroad (selling all my possessions including a car, medical appointments, etc).
-Moving to a region that will very likely be more unstable than it was in terms of economy and safety due to massive unemployment. I'm very concerned about rebel groups uprising.
-Devaluation of local currency, which is what my salary is paid in. The currency had been more or less stable until COVID-19. I'm concerned that it may continue to drop in the coming months/years as the country's economy struggles to recover.
-extended travel restrictions in the region -- traveling South America was a MAJOR draw for me to accept the position in the first place (in addition, of course, to several other positive aspects of the school)
-the overall unease of moving to a developing region in the wake of a global pandemic... The US will no doubt have a LONG road of recovery post-COVID-19. I can only imagine what recovery will look like in a developing region.
-Overall uncertainty of what life will actually look like come late July. Will I even be able to enter the country? most countries are banning all incoming international travel right now... I can foresee ongoing travel restrictions for people coming from hard hit countries like the US. Will curfews and movement restrictions still be in place?

I am somewhat concerned about the fallout of breaking contract, but I can't see Search or the school really faulting me for changing course in light of a pandemic. But on the other hand, it's April and that puts everyone in a tough spot.

Would love to hear opinions -- Stay or go? Is there anything else I should be taking into account? If I break contract, would that crush my chances of making my international debut in 2021?

Pardon me if any of this has been covered in other threads. First time poster here.

Thanks!