Overseasvet said: [quote]I know Eric and he is a good man. There is no way he would not be doing what he can. Those who would jump to the conclusion that nothing is being done have no concept of diplomacy and no confidence in our profession. [/quote]

It remains to be seen if Dr. Sands is "a good man" or not. How long does this guy have to sit in jail while Dr. Sands is assumed to be "doing something" to help out one of his people.

Is Dr. Sand's red-eyed from lack of sleep because one of his people is in jail? How long was this teacher bullied and did Dr. Sands know about it and do anything about it?

Maybe we shouldn't rush to call Dr. Sands a ball-less administrator but lets not assume he is out there fighting for this guy. Most admin I've met know where there bread is buttered and think of themselves first and their people like 4th or 5th.

I hope I'm wrong and Dr. Sands steps up for this guy.

Dr. Eric Sands is the Director of Qatar Academy and one of the goals he identifies is:

2. Building a stronger sense of community within Qatar Academy

I guess that sense of community doesn't extend to teachers from Nepal who get on the wrong side of a paying student. My guess is, Dr. Sands is hiding in his office until this whole thing blows over.

Better than a boycott, lets all apply for and accept jobs in Qatar and then never show up.

See how these schools will screw you over or more likely in this case not lift a finger to help. I bet the admin at Qatar Academy are hiding in their mouse holes right about now. You won't hear a peep out of them.

You can bet the entire time this guy was being bullied, QA admin did little or nothing to stop it and they will do little or nothing to help him now. Admin are in my experience generally ball-less individuals.

Sounds like the noseyparker clan is about to do a runner.
Wonder how that'll effect their "impeccable references?"

Yes, it is possible.

@PsyGuy [quote]@DLMorgan

I stand corrected (actually sitting, rather dumb founded).

One more inquiry: Khazi or British woman?[/quote]

She's a Brit. She has a blog about her travels in Central Asia.

3rd Tier schools have their charms.

First of all, they'll hire just about anybody, at any time and usually all you need is a degree. Once, I worked at 3 different 3rd tier schools in 3 different countries and in a period of 10 months. It was one of the most amazing years of my life.

Second, you don't have to do jack shit. Just showing up to class with work sheets is probably enough, and all those work sheets wind up in the trash anyway.

Third, if you look around, the money isn't so bad and that year I did 3 schools, 3 countries all in 10 months, I actually saved close to $10,000.

You could do far worse as teacher than land at a 3rd Tier school in some exotic foreign land. You could end up teaching at an inner city Chicago school for example.

Whenever I see "American International School - HCMC" I see red! Its the WORST school in the world. Its been "falling apart" since it opened. I really do my best to let go of resentments, but AIS (the American one) is one resentment I'll hold onto for a bit longer.

Not only will they terminate your contract on a whim, they'll (try) and hold every penny they owe you. Avoid American IS like the plague. I don't know anything about Australian IS but I'm guessing part of the problem is labor law in Vietnam. I think Vietnam is like the worst kind of "right to work" state. Basically, at least my experience was, the owners can do whatever they like to the employees and the employees are powerless.

HCMC though was excellent. I going to spend part of Chinese New Year next year in HCMC. I'm taking a long train ride from Beijing to Nanning and cross into Vietnam there and through HCMC into Cambodia and then Thailand. I can't wait!

DL Morgan: [quote]Everything is a mystery, but on the whole it works out well and it is possible to save most of what you earn. There are no delays in paying out for 4 single airfares a year, settlement allowance and regular pay.[/quote]

I passed up a contract in Semy to work in China. The offer was US$5,000/month. I'm curious, assuming I do live a very frugal life style, how much could I have saved over the course of a year?

Thanks!

Singablesong said [quote]I am in my new school (the first one), quite unhappy, because I ruined my chances with another school, which offered much better conditions. All I wanted is to be honest and fair. [/quote]

Why didn't you just accept the position at the other school where you might have been happier and therefore a better hire for them? You haven't done anyone any favors by being a sad teacher at the first school, least of all your own self.

Maybe its not too late!
Contact the second school, tell them something came up and you are available. See if they might still offer you the contract.

Its mid April and you don't have a contract; orientation probably starts Aug 1st - that's 3.5 months from now and you haven't even started on a visa.

What will you do if they say "Sorry, because .... we can no longer offer you a job." What will you do?

I have an idea - why not find another job JUST IN CASE this happens and then you'll be the one sending the Dear John letter instead of on the much more painful receiving end.

Teachers are so routinely screwed over in this manner it boggles my mind why more teachers don't sign at least a second contract. Is it beyond the realm of possibility that this school is stringing YOU along just in case there first choice backs out?

The "Grumpster"whines:[quote]Signing two contracts is unethical. Seems there are sleazy people on both sides of the equation to me.[/quote]

You just can't win with old codgers like grumpster. For example, I have child support payments to make. Lets say I show up in China for job having done evereything ethically and above board only to find that my job no longer existed. Of course without a job, I can't make child support payments. I guarantee you it would be the moralizing likes of a grumpster who would be first to tag me a dead beat dad.

To be honest, I have signed two contracts for next year, I've signed THREE! If the job in China doesn't pan out, I'll have TWO fall back positions and I will if nothing else be on time with my child support payments.

grumpy said: [quote]It comes down to trust. People who have been burned are right to howl about it, but you need to be able to trust your employers. And they need to be able to trust you.[/quote]

Famous last words.

When it comes to money, trust no one and protect yourself AT ALL TIMES! Signing two contracts to have a fall back position is one way to protect yourself.

If you arrive in China on a tourist visa and the school has no job for you, there is literally nothing you can do. You can't even go to the parents because they don't know you. What will you do? Hope for the best?

I was getting US$ 50,000 per year tax free plus completion bonus and free housing. I saved a ton both times I was in Kuwait but all in all, it wasn't worth it. The students are the worst. In fact, when asked to say one good thing about AMERICAN students, I say Kuwaiti students are worse. Both times, a total nightmare.

I hope you have strong classroom management skills.

I'm going to China in August for my 4th assignment and each time its been different. This time around, for example, the school is requiring me to get a health check in the States before they send me the letter of invitation I'll need to get the Z-visa. The last time I worked in China, I arrived with a tourist visa and had the health check done after arrival.

Make sure they take you to the local police statin within like 48hours of arrival to register you or there could be consequences, esp if you arrive on a tourist visa. On my first stint in China, the school did not take me until a few weeks after my arrival and they had to pay a fine on the spot. Of course, they looked at me like it was my fault.

As far as showing up and not having a job, its a real possibility. And if you have paid for your ticket in advance, tough luck. This is an example of when you should really have TWO jobs lined up. This way if the school in China does screw you over, you will have a fall back position.

Again, do them before they do you!!