Search found 175 matches

by Nomad68
Sat Mar 10, 2018 10:50 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Saudi Arabia
Replies: 25
Views: 30827

Re: Saudi Arabia

Saudi us not as bad as all that. I would prefer it to China. It is better than Kuwait imho. Better for single males than single females though. KAUST is tough to get into. Very selective. Ask on the paid site side for details. Saudi would not be for your first IS experience nor your first ME experience. Oman and the UAE would be preferable for those.
by Nomad68
Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:57 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: 2 year contracts
Replies: 11
Views: 13785

Re: 2 year contracts

I was at a national school in Saudi Arabia that only offered one year contracts because they said that was the law but I also worked at an international school there (owned by the government) that offered 2 year contracts. So go figure.

At that Saudi national school breaking contract/wanting to resign before completing the year was regarded as heinous by the management. It was considered better to do a runner than officially resign and face the backlash.

In another ME country I was offered a 3 year contract from the get go precisely because they had a high turnover of staff (with good reason I soon discovered).

I think it would be unwise to try to negotiate an offered contract from 2 years to 1. It doesn't show commitment. If you are that unsure about being there choose a different location.

One year at a place on your resume doesn't look too good to recruiters either. I speak from experience. If your resume makes you look like a 'tourist' teacher you could miss out on some good oppotunities if they think you are just passing through.
by Nomad68
Mon Jan 29, 2018 10:54 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Anyone have experience with being Jewish in the ME?
Replies: 18
Views: 26913

Re: Anyone have experience with being Jewish in the ME?

I am neither Jewish nor Muslim but I have spent a lot of time around the ME. I really would not recommend going to places like Saudi, Kuwait or Qatar even if you hid your Jewish identity. The anti-Jewish sentiments would shock you. I can't comment on the UAE or Oman but the risk of running into haters might make you reconsider. At best claim to be Christian and at least you are not considered an infidel.
by Nomad68
Wed Jan 24, 2018 8:53 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Typo in a resume
Replies: 2
Views: 4583

Typo in a resume

Ok so its not dreadful but first impressions count. But what should you do if you have sent out a resume with a typo? A random keystroke some how missed by spellcheck and despite manual quality control. Note to self: a smart phonr is no substitute for a laptop.
by Nomad68
Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:26 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: UAE Government Schools
Replies: 5
Views: 7787

Re: UAE Government Schools

These positions seem to be the bread and butter of Teach Aways recruitment. Shockingly awful.
by Nomad68
Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:23 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: IS is in breach of contract. How do we get our money??
Replies: 5
Views: 7955

Re: IS is in breach of contract. How do we get our money??

In addition to the sound advice above, once you get out nane and shame this school on the members site and other such places and warn all the recruiters you use about what happened.
by Nomad68
Mon Jan 22, 2018 5:15 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Recent offer with ENS
Replies: 8
Views: 11220

Re: Recent offer with ENS

@PsyGuy that is true but AD is an easy location to work in in the ME. If housing is taken care of and you can cope with a quiet life its not the worst place to make a sheckle. Finding a decent school is the challenge. Lots of snakepits or bad administrators to avoid.
by Nomad68
Sat Jan 20, 2018 7:56 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Exodus from Germany
Replies: 41
Views: 45178

Re: Exodus from Germany

Many thanks @ThamesPirate. Given that free school places in ISs in Germany are a taxable bonus if I managed to get a job there, schooling for my kids would be a major consideration. Personally I think its a great country and just wish we were ready to move there.
by Nomad68
Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:26 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Recent offer with ENS
Replies: 8
Views: 11220

Re: Recent offer with ENS

Abu Dhabi is a decent place to live and work and save. We cannot comment on schools in this forum. Join the members part of the site and seriously read the reviews about ENS!
by Nomad68
Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:23 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Exodus from Germany
Replies: 41
Views: 45178

Re: Exodus from Germany

Are bilingual (German-English) schools free or private/fee in Germany? Put another way, are any free?
by Nomad68
Thu Jan 18, 2018 10:16 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Flights
Replies: 4
Views: 7381

Flights

Is it reasonable for a school to ask an new hire to pay for their incoming flight to start work (assuming it will be refunded later) or do schools usually provide an e-ticket?

In my experience an e-ticket has almost always been provided once contracts were signed and visas secured. On the one occasion I was asked to buy my own incoming ticket it took months to get reimbursed and the school tried everything to haggle the cost down despite initial promises I would be repaid on arrival.
by Nomad68
Sat Jan 06, 2018 11:15 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Family friendly locations
Replies: 15
Views: 21578

Re: Family friendly locations

My UK uni did not issue transcripts back when I graduated 30 years ago. It no longer exists and the uni which replaced it scrapped the old records back in the late 90s. The best I have is an official letter explaining this.
by Nomad68
Fri Jan 05, 2018 10:12 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Looking for Feedback
Replies: 50
Views: 58377

Re: Looking for Feedback

Prejudice against non-caucasians is rife in schools in the Middle East. Parents paying thousands for an 'international' education for their kids want white faces doing the teaching. School admin support or bow to the racism because they have to keep the parents happy. I worked at one school that once hired a couple of British Indian/Pakistani teachers but parents complained so they were fired. All because of prejudice.

Non-caucasians would have a rough time in many eastern European countries too. Again from my own observations.
by Nomad68
Fri Jan 05, 2018 10:48 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Family friendly locations
Replies: 15
Views: 21578

Re: Family friendly locations

Thanks for the replies. True the Saudi dependents tax is only peanuts compared to real income tax so that would not put me off the Kingdom IF schools would take a trailing spouse and kids.

Korea is closed to me because I don't have transcripts - not issued when I graduated and not available now. That rules out China, Malaysia, and Indonesia from my experience.

Thailand seems family friendly.
Family packages in the EU are taxed. That would be a lifestyle move not a savings move.

Spouse credentials I will look into. What would you suggest?
by Nomad68
Fri Jan 05, 2018 10:34 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: downsides of working at national schools?
Replies: 5
Views: 7860

Re: downsides of working at national schools?

I have had 3 experiences with national schools both in the Middle East. They were not very pleasant. In each expat Westerners were not trusted and spied on and in no way treated as professionals. Wasta/influence and corruption was rife and semi open. IB standards were a joke. Exam standards were a joke.

Penny pinching and cost cutting in key areas whilst in non essential areas money was squandered. Local hired admin had palatial and lavish offices but faculty struggled to get basic essentials. Free coffee and dates for locally hired admin at any time but no water cooler refills for teachers. Hired help are one up from slaves.

I also found the national schools to be bloodbaths in terms of getting rid of people they decided against even letting staff know on the last day of term before summer recess.

I would do a lot of research before accepting a post in a national school and be aware that professional standards may be lower or compromised. Sorry to be negative and I hope my experiences are not that common.