Kleikm, check the CDC web site I posted above; oil of eucalyptus is mentioned as an effective repellent. It will probably also repel your friends and acquaintances. I hate sprays as they are indiscriminate and go all over the place. My preference is the picaridin wipes.

If there is a DDT cream, it is no doubt made in China by the same company that sold milk and infant formula tainted with melamine and pet foods tainted with contaminated ingredients.

PG surpasses even himself on this insane "advice." DDT is an insecticidal spray; it is not applied to the body to kill mosquitos. (How about a link to a topical product containing DDT?) In a (hypothetical) strength that would be effective enough to kill a mosquito, death would still be not instantaneous; the mosquito could still bite and infect one before it croaks.

You want the mosquitos to stay away, which is why a repellent is used. The CDC recommends DEET and Picaridin for much more than "backyard barbecues." http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

I used two large boxes from U-Haul instead of suitcases. I reinforced all the corners and edges with packing tape and they held up well going and coming.

I interviewed with and was offered a job that had housing in that area but turned it down. Having been to Egypt since then, I can tell you it's a pretty desolate and isolated area. Even if the school housed you in the city proper, a good chunk of your day would be taken up with the commute.

I researched Eritrea a few years ago thinking it would be an interesting location, and found that one cannot leave the capital city without getting a permit first! That really spoiled the idea of any spontaneous weekend trips... Perhaps that has changed since then, but do some research. I actually located an expat living there (in what capacity, I don't remember), and he said it wasn't a bad place to live; the permit thing was real, but wasn't too difficult to get.

I think your chances would be quite good, given the severe teacher shortage in many states. There is a reason for that shortage, though, and I would discourage anyone from teaching in the U.S. unless you hook up with a good private school. Understand, however, that unlike the international schools in other countries, you will not be getting housing or a housing allowance, nor a "settling in" allowance, nor assistance getting the proper visa, nor airfare or shipping allowances.

I taught in the U.S. for 22 mostly-good years, but three months into my first overseas job, I vowed never to teach in the U.S. again.

I thought people would have responded by now with all sorts of options. My only thought is that if you are a member of a professional organization (usually by subject matter), you can find state, regional, and national conferences through them.

Congratulations! A good illustration for not settling.

Is PsyGuy not admin as well? Seems he's been on recruiting trips, and of course there's the candidate rating scale.

I suggest going to the expert expats--namely, military families or ex-brats. Sometimes they have to move more than once a year.

Avoid like the plague the veteran--and there seems to be one on every faculty--who wants to tell you all the problems with the school, the kids, parents, admin, country; who to "watch out for;" who can't be trusted; what dicey or possibly illegal work-arounds he's privy to... Don't allow anyone to color your own perceptions and opinions. His worst enemy could be your best ally.

Spawnboy, conspiracy theory aside, is it possible your membership with Search simply expired? Did your rep actually use the word "canceled?"

It just means no one has reviewed it yet.

Surely your school can advise you? Will someone give you the contact info of an expat teacher already there?

From my experience in the Middle East as a resident and visitor in several countries, the safest route is to cover knees, shoulders, and cleavage. Avoid belts or tucked-in blouses; loose tops that disguise the contours of your waist and hips are safest. If you wear a skirt or dress, your knees should not be visible when you sit. Sleeves should be at least halfway to the elbow or longer; avoid cap sleeves. If there is any suggestion of cleavage visible, or someone can see down your blouse if you're sitting, then the top is too low. A top that's within an inch or two of your clavicle is safe.

Until you get there and can actually see what people are wearing, you should err on the side of conservative.

It's pretty late to apply for a new job, though jobs do come up even at good schools because of the PsyGuys and Higgsbosons of the international teaching community. I understand Europe is notoriously hard to break into--can you cast your net somewhat wider? Maybe eastern Europe instead of northern? Or even a different continent?

You sound qualified, but speaking from experience, there seem to be more English teachers than jobs (although most if not all schools employ them). You were smart to turn down an offer that didn't feel right. Don't settle for just anything, but don't give up either. Get a good Plan B into place.