Having lived and working in Costa Rica for the first four years of my teaching career, I have an interest outlook and prospective. While living there, I did not have rich parents helping me out or sending me money. I also did not have a savings, a credit card or any intention of spending more money than I was earning. I felt like this made me different then many of the teachers that I met.

My teaching experiences were very diverse and including the Monteverde Cloud Forest school, a small private school in the Osa Peninsula, a private international school in the Central Valley which is popular among expats and very big (K-8) and a few other private schools in the mountains.

I loved living in Costa Rica and I would live there again with money from savings and my family. Costa Rica is a great place to raise children, dine out, go sightseeing and you can get basically anything you need if you have money.


I would not recommend going there if you are looking to save money, build you career, or if you take yourself or your teaching career too seriously- as I often did.

Teachers who did save money in Costa Rica came with some start up money, got themselves a job at one of the better private schools and learned to keep their heads down, keep parents happy, and put up with outrageous student behaviors.

Hello:

Botswana immigration constraints is something that my teaching partner & I were warned about before arrival. The school admin did away with a consultant to handle immigration affairs and the school admin is understaffed, over worked and underpaid.

As a result of this and the government policies, my immigration permits did not go through. The government is not granting work and residence permits for any teachers in the "Primary" category... who knew? Maybe a CONSULTANT would have known? My teaching partner/fiance was approved for high school math & science teaching (despite the fact that he is non-certified but has a Masters in Bio) but my "Primary" teacher permit was rejected (I am certified in elementary ed & spec ed). I cannot appeal and I must leave the country IMMEDIATELY. Here is more on the Immigration problems in Botswana:

http://www.africaportal.org/blogs/commu ... sed-policy

None the less, we are packing our bags and heading back to the USA to regroup.


TRAGICALLY, We must leave. I have one term of PYP IB experience as the PYP Learning Support Teacher. It was essentially a great position in a tier 3 IB school. Before this, I have 5 years experience teaching elementary.

Where to now? I would like the same or similar position in Special Education and preferably an IB school?

My boyfriend and I are planning to quickly get married post- deportation in the United States. Then, we need to make a plan. My man is O.K. with not working and allowing me to take the lead on finding the job since he is not certified and could possibly find work tutoring science.

I am asking for any suggestions on where to look? We are considering Malaysia, South Korea or Dubai?


Suggestions?

I am currently in Southern Africa, I also spoke to the folks over at AIS Joburg and they were very rude.

I would not recommend that any international teacher come to South Africa, especially the American International School. It is like the USA on steroids and unless you arrive with your own money to invest in getting settled, you will suffer.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for taking the time to write a reply here.

It's late in CR now and I will write a few follow ups tomorrow but for now I just want to whole heartily say thank you. Both my mom and my bf mom always taught us to weigh options and that's exactly what were doing here. Fun fact both gringo parents but bf was born to international educate mom and wildlife conservationist dad in Zimbabwe 38 years ago. My momma spent time doing leadership development in Dubai. We're adventurous hopeful through connections, pure luck or my dull diligent efforts that something will come up but since it hasn't yet- were on the move and yes- desperate.

Going back to the US is the pits as far as I'm concerned. Not an option I'm considering.

Btw I'm highly qualified DODEA certified in three areas: grades 6-8 ELA, special ed/exceptional children K-12, and elem Ed K-12

More tomorrow for now I'll ponder what you've written here. Muchas Gracias!

Warm piece of toast with Skippy PB- open face

Did you have to mention it? Urgggh yumm....

Haha

Psych guy: in response to
If you insist on both of you working in a school then CAIS is an option, just understand you wont be in a better position after two years there. I know you said that the ME is out for you, but the saving potential is better there, and you have a strong application for a tier 2 school, maybe low tier 1 school there. Hiring hubby to teach ESOL or even science is doable, and they still have lots of vacancies.

Thank you for your reply Psychguy, I always enjoy your posts.
A few follow up questions
1. You say we would not be better off after two years, I am curious- what if he gets certified in that time through a remote university, online program or a summer session or some method and what if we get IB experience at CAIS. wouldn't that make us better off?
2. And further more, what method do you suggest that he follow for getting certified? Should we take next year off and go to the USA for college- he's open to going back to school. He wants to get his phd in science education eventually. Or is he better off doing one of those online methods? What do you know about int education certification. Is my us dept of educ cerification hold higher weight than say certification at an American uni in china?

3. We're not married currently- not to say that we won't eventually. But we're a young couple with student loans so we'd rather make a buck and get married when we feel like it. I'd love to look in the ME but the initial emails I sent out to saudi and dubai came right back to me saying- contact us when you're married. We will not consider unmarried teaching couples. I hear most make you present a marriage certificate? Is this true?

4. Thank you for the comment about getting rejections when selling us as a package. It all makes sense now!

Boyfriend is kinda fed up at the point- our current placement he's been here for five years and he's sick of the bureaucracy and ready to just go back to school. So it may be go back to school and get more loans for the both of us or head to Changchun.

5. 2,300 a month for me and 2,600 for him- housing is paid for but I don't know if this savings potential is worth it.

1. Skippy PB is obviously dosed with crack as I also had serious withdrawal issues on my first teaching assignment in the Cloud Rainforest in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Went as far as to have a friend bring down five jars on a trip. I'm since over PB and switched to dry almonds

2. Q Tips!!!!!! You never think about them but for some Americans they must be Q Tip brand. Central American brand are so stingy on the cotton tip

3. I really can't live without my DR BRONNERS PURE Peppermint castile SOAP. I usually have friends bring two if the largest size liquid soap. You can wash your teeth, floors, hair, windows, dog baby, dishes laundry. It's organic and all natural. Try it if you don't know what I'm talking bout.

4. Essential oils like tea tree, lavender and peppermint are costly in some places

5. Baking soda is a great substitute for toothpaste if it's expensive where you live- Or you can stretch your toothpaste with baking soda.

Really---It may be uncomfortable at first- but you can always make due without or find a local substitute. It's an adventure, right?
As long as you have your docs, your family, good music, good food and great books- you can live pretty much anywhere and be alright! :)

Thank you. Any tips on where to look instead psych guy? Any word folks is welcome.

We don't care where it is because anything is better than where we are it seems. The cis function and being broke is sickening.

No middle east because not married.

Unmarried teaching couple, I'm certified middle school ela and spec Ed K-12, three years experience, beau uncertified masters in biology, five years teaching ap bio, IB and all the general sciences 7-12.

I'm active in all the sites tie tes cis everyday. Sent out 100 formal app emails cover letters and resumes. Very resilant and persistent. It's still early but were hoping to be somewhere new in August. If not well return to our post in costa rica- which btw pay is awful, students worse, and cost of living is horrendous.

So where's hot for two nice young teachers? Thank you!

Psych Guy

THANK YOU for putting your time and effort into this forum. I think that YOU ARE the reason that this forum is so up to date and active. While many other similar venues are dead.

When I read the nasty comments about you I recall something my mother told me when I was a "know it all" in my first job...

[size=24]They just aren't smart enough to know how smart you are.[/size]


Keep it up. Some people can only do one thing at a time, while others are SO SMART they need lots of projects at one time to keep them stimulated. This is GREAT that you have chosen this blog as one of your many projects. Keep it up! And by the way- LOL I am a coffee SNOB TOO!

China Changchung American International School

Tell me something good- or bad... please.

Looks like they have new leadership.
Seem eager for change.
Salaries seem low.
Looking to move there from other country.
Open to the cold weather.
Any updates on the city, school and new developments are helpful.

Thank you,
Young international teaching couple

In Costa Rica,

Salaries are low

Housing is sometimes covered

Food and transportation are equal or more than the USA

The students are not well-behaved


Families are o.k. depending on the area.

I would not recommend Costa Rica- although I would have five years ago. Things are changing rapidly here and getting VERY expensive.