Search found 101 matches

by chiliverde
Sat Apr 06, 2019 7:59 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Raising a young family in Mexico
Replies: 15
Views: 15317

Re: Raising a young family in Mexico

Just a small cost of living difference I would imagine.
by chiliverde
Thu Apr 04, 2019 8:13 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Would a TEFL certificate be helpful for getting hired?
Replies: 12
Views: 11515

Re: Would a TEFL certificate be helpful for getting hired?

If you are talking about international school jobs, a TEFL certificate would be considered a form of teaching certificate for only the lowest level schools. It also sounds like from your post that you haven't taught yet - most international schools want 2 years experience, ideally spent abroad. I'm sure you can get hired somewhere, but you will want to vet these schools extremely hard to see if you would actually survive/have it be worth your time there. As you can tell from this site, many schools out there are living nightmares, and that's putting it lightly.
by chiliverde
Tue Apr 02, 2019 6:09 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Summer teaching anywhere in the world?
Replies: 2
Views: 3820

Re: Summer teaching anywhere in the world?

I used to work for the British Council summer program in Hong Kong and thoroughly enjoyed it. You didn't make enough to save, but well enough to pay your way there and back, and to live in the relatively expensive city.
by chiliverde
Thu Mar 21, 2019 6:15 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Partner to get into teaching as a foreign language teacher
Replies: 3
Views: 4944

Re: Partner to get into teaching as a foreign language teach

Thanks, Thames. I also notice a lot of job postings ask for "certification/qualification." I fully support this and would never want to undermine our profession, but to get French QTS would involve moving back to France and starting in a 3 year teaching program... just unrealistic for someone at this stage of life. I know there are other online options for English speakers, but am wondering what would count for a French citizen.
by chiliverde
Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:01 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Partner to get into teaching as a foreign language teacher
Replies: 3
Views: 4944

Partner to get into teaching as a foreign language teacher

I am a well established teacher with 15 years experience in international schools, teaching cert, masters, etc. My husband, an EU citizen with masters degrees in business and journalism, is going through a bit of a career crisis of sorts - the sad reality of journalism. We are considering a career change for him to teaching, and he would be starting from practically zero. Since he is a French citizen, the most realistic option would be as a French language teacher in an international school. Any idea what the standard qualification is for this, both from a visa and school hiring standpoint? There is a French Masters of Education that wouldn't be hard to get, and we are hoping that that plus some relevant classroom experience might be enough to make us attractive as a teaching couple. But maybe that's not qualification enough. We are living in Bangkok, which seems like as good a place as any to get SOME kind of classroom experience for him to put on his resume.

It's definitely daunting for him to consider such a career change, and as we know the challenges that come with teaching, not something we are taking lightly. Unfortunately, there seems to be no real way to "dip your toe" in the water when you are 35 with kids.

Any and all advice would be welcome.
by chiliverde
Fri Mar 08, 2019 9:54 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Raising a young family in Mexico
Replies: 15
Views: 15317

Re: Raising a young family in Mexico

Wow, that is surprising and discouraging about Monterrey, especially since on their website they describe their approach to teacher packages as "progressive." I wonder exactly why they have that as a policy, but from reading the reviews it sounds like that wouldn't be the only policy over there that is currently turning heads..
by chiliverde
Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:31 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Raising a young family in Mexico
Replies: 15
Views: 15317

Re: Raising a young family in Mexico

Let's also open up Colombia as another viable option, since it's only 4 additional hours away.
by chiliverde
Tue Mar 05, 2019 8:12 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Raising a young family in Mexico
Replies: 15
Views: 15317

Re: Raising a young family in Mexico

Thank you, everyone. If anyone with experience would indulge me, I'd love to kick this ball down the road a bit further to just game out some possibilities for the future. Here is our reality now in BKK:

1. Around 4,000 usd salary a month after taxes
2. Upper tier 2 school
3. Do really enjoy living here, with the caveat being that I am feeling very far from home (California)
4. Young son getting free, amazing schooling while we are here
5. Partner who for the moment is not working (situation can and will change, but let's consider him out of the discussion)
6. Flights every two years but no housing allowance, or pension (we do have accident and major medical healthcare, not really international standard)
7. As the single wage earner for the moment, we are not able to save anything, but are living comfortably.
8. School itself has pros and cons. Is it a dream school? No. But they are family friendly and I am growing as a teacher.
9. I'm a 35 year old Elementary classroom teacher with a Masters and 14 years experience, for what it's worth.

Mexico appeals to us for reasons previously stated, mostly lifestyle, travel opportunities, and closer to home.

Other realities:

The places we are willing to live are really limited, and kind of rule out the places you could make serious money. We wouldn't live in China, Africa, or the Middle East. We love Southeast Asia, the only drawback is, it is far from both our homes. I am also under no illusions that I am an easy hire, considering I currently come with 2, and hopefully eventually 3, dependents.

So....

Are there schools in Mexico that would provide a slightly lower salary (let's say 3,000-3,500 a month after tax) BUT with a housing allowance sufficient for a family? And perhaps with pension? Then maybe we would be shaking out similar to here.

Any other realities, obvious or otherwise, that are different in SE Asia and Mexico? I'm operating under the assumption that for a young family with a more conservative reach, safety is an overblown concern for the country. Feel free to correct me.

Would our dollars in BKK stretch as far in Mexico?

I know these are all generalizations, but I guess that's how it goes when you are considering a place you know little about. Any and all advice is greatly welcome.
by chiliverde
Sun Mar 03, 2019 2:58 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Raising a young family in Mexico
Replies: 15
Views: 15317

Raising a young family in Mexico

Hello all,

Would love to hear from those with experience with kids in Mexico. Recently relocated to Bangkok and really enjoying it, but feeling very far from family in the US. Beginning to wonder if looking eventually towards Mexico would offer a lower standard of living similar to here, while being easier and cheaper to go home.

My family lives in California, which is just so incredibly expensive. Plus there's just something electric about living abroad. I've been living abroad for almost 15 years now, and it makes me feel way more alive than I fear I ever would in the states.

Already well aware that the salaries in LA are nothing like over here in Asia. That said, any other advice would be welcome.

Thanks
by chiliverde
Sat Mar 02, 2019 1:03 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Hard to believe this? Chiang Mai pollution? Too many expats?
Replies: 6
Views: 7727

Re: Hard to believe this? Chiang Mai pollution? Too many exp

I live in BKK and just got back from visiting Chiang Mai for the first time. I expected to love it from what people said. When people asked me what I thought after my trip, I said:

1. Bad pollution
2. Too many tourists

Pollution in BKK isn't much better, but there are other advantages to living here.

I hope that helps.
by chiliverde
Thu Feb 07, 2019 6:29 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Bangkok Pollution
Replies: 111
Views: 700497

Re: Bangkok Pollution

We are in BKK right now. My response would be very different if we were still in the all red days like we were last week, but luckily that has passed. It's our first year here so I don't have comprehensive knowledge, but I can say this:

Bangkok pollution is at some points of the year worse than other urban centers, but not significantly worse when you balance it out with the air quality year round. In the rainy season and early winter we had almost all green days. Pollution is a reality in nearly all urban centers, so it's just a matter of degree.

One thing to also consider is if anyone in your family has mold or dust mite allergies. I never knew I had one until I moved here, because apparently dust mites thrive in humid climates (gross). You will also get all the new viruses from moving to a continent you've never been to.

There are downsides to BKK but also many benefits. Maybe make a list of pros and cons about coming here and see how you are shaking out as a family overall?
by chiliverde
Thu Feb 07, 2019 6:24 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Health Insurance Question
Replies: 6
Views: 7669

Re: Health Insurance Question

World Nomads is supposed to be good. I say supposed because, even though I've used them many times, I've been lucky to never file a claim with them so don't know firsthand.
The US is our home country, but our residency is abroad. Maybe it's the same for you?
by chiliverde
Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:27 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Taxation and Teaching in Italy
Replies: 14
Views: 15206

Re: Taxation and Teaching in Italy

Love Italy but just left for this reason. Be prepared to have someone to support you, or a second income, and absolutely no expectation to save.
by chiliverde
Tue Jul 24, 2018 5:28 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: How much easier to get hired as local hire at decent school?
Replies: 23
Views: 29156

Re: How much easier to get hired as local hire at decent sch

In my opinion he should start researching and reaching out to schools ASAP. Mention to them that he is coming over, and see what kind of response he gets. Then, if nothing pans out he can lower his standards or change tack once he is over there.
by chiliverde
Tue Jul 24, 2018 11:14 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Thailand and health check
Replies: 11
Views: 12973

Re: Thailand and health check

Thanks, Psy.

In your opinion, if asked, would it be better to answer honestly or omit?

Thanks