Question: How do they tell it is an online Masters?

I understand in cases where there is no brick and mortar university, but when there is...
I have a Masters that I completed online but through a state university in the US. No where on any documents (transcripts or diploma) does it state that anything was completed online. All paperwork is identical to my undergrad which was completed face to face. No one knows it was an online program unless I tell them. My partner has the same thing from a different university. Just wondering if we’re exceptions.

If you have insurance that covers your home country you can almost always fill a full year of the prescription and take it with you. My first posting was to a country without a developed medical system and my husband and I brought in a year’s worth of prescriptions for three medications. The international insurance companies are used to it and you just need to have your doctor note on the prescription that it needs to be filled for the year so the pharmacy will do it. We’ve done this with three different insurance companies without any issues. Some medications maybe more tricky than others to get filled for a full year (mostly if there’s danger of an overdose or becoming addicted). Between myself and colleagues at my previous school, I know of people who were able to do this for birth control, antidepressants, cholesterol meds. Not sure about ADHD.

A word of warning — NJ seems to be tightening up the process of certification. I moved my certificate to them three years ago with no problem. I had three years in a US school before moving abroad and my certification was current. My husband moved his a year later and it was very difficult. He kept having to submit the paperwork again because it wasn’t perfect. His teaching experience was all international. A colleague is currently trying to move hers to NJ and she’s been told that they won’t accept any overseas teaching to meet the requirements. So, from my experience, the process seems to be changing, or it isn’t set and it depends on who you talk to. One thing that is nice, however, is that they are quite responsive and will reply to email questions pretty quickly..

Good luck.

I’m disagreeing with the idea that

PsyGuy wrote:
> Its very difficult to find independent housing in SG thats not a share for under
> SGD$2500/mth.

It’s not difficult to find a one or two bedroom condo for under 2500. You would not be sharing.

Rents have come down in Singapore in the last few years. I moved last year and was paying 2500 for a two bedroom. You can check rental prices on the PropertyGuru website. You’ll see plenty of one and two bedroom options for 2000-2500. They won’t be downtown condos but they are in liveable areas. You can choose your district on the site and I just did a search for districts around some of the major international schools and found two bedrooms under 2500. I was also able to negotiate my rent down a few hundred from the asking price both on the initial signing and the subsequent renewal due to falling prices.

Having also lived in Singapore recently, I’d fall in between the other posters. Singapore is expensive, but the big international schools will pay you enough to live well and save. A good school will pay S$6000-$8000/mo plus a rental allowance and gratuity. Housing allowances are being cut at many schools and I’d argue $2500 for a couple might be sufficient depending on area and your demands.

My partner and I vacationed well, bought mostly western food, and ate out about once per week and were able to save an entire salary every year. Big expenses that will eat into your savings would be a car and a helper.

I was really nervous about savings potential when we took the job in Singapore. I shouldn’t have been — it was the best financial move we ever made. If you were able to save in other locations, you’ll be able save (most likely more) in Singapore. The average salary more than covers a good, expat-geared living standard.

It really depends on the school.

This recruitment cycle we were given 48 hours by one school and 5 days by another school (who then told us they would be willing to extend it to 7 days if we required it). Both of the offers were made during Skype interviews. The better school gave us longer (and is the one we accepted). I felt like the school that gave us 48 hours was trying to rush and pressure us into accepting because they knew their contract and reputation wasn't great. I think most schools give in the 5-7 day range -- they need to set reasonable limits because they often have other candidates they want to offer to if you turn them down. I have heard up to 2 weeks being offered by some schools.

If the school you are Skyping with wants you and is on the third interview, they will likely offer now rather than waiting for the fair.

At the fair, things are usually much more condensed and offers will usually need to be accepted within 24 hours in order for the schools to offer to others if you pass.

There’s an article in this week’s Economist about pollution in Southeast Asia. According to the article, it’s far worse in Delhi than Beijing.
https://www.economist.com/news/asia/217 ... asp-breath

It all depends on the school. I’ve worked in both Europe and SE Asia and the workload was so much more in Asia. School size, organization , timetable, etc are all going to affect your workload. 6 preps seems extreme.

My thoughts on your questions:

1) Fair -- London - more European focus or Bangkok - more Asian focus (you need to be more competitive for Bangkok). Both fairs have schools from both Europe and Asia, so choose the one you are best suited for as far as competitiveness.
2) You should already have your Search membership activated. Schools are already posting some jobs and start to post in earnest starting in October. Invitations for fairs go fast, so you need to get your requests in now.
3) I think Search is enough, but I know others might disagree. TIE is a cheap option for a few additional schools not listed on Search.

For QSI -- you have to work for them for at least 23 years to get the pension. You can only start drawing at 65.

Another option for you might be to get your state's beginner's certificate and then transfer it to another state. Check to see what states your state has reciprocity with and what the process is to transfer. Some states will just give you the closest version of your original certificate, some will require you do additional coursework, etc. Not all states have a "beginner's" certificate, so you might be able to get one that isn't labeled with such a title. Other states often call the first certificate "provisional" which is less likely to be identified as "beginner". Not sure if this will offer you a solution, but it might be worth looking into.

My point was not that the OP wouldn't be breaking contract. My point was that not all resignations are breaking contract. If the contract allows it explicitly, you are abiding by the contract and not breaking it. I looked back at the contract I had that included this clause as part of the contract and stated that all benefits of the contract would be given as long as all resignations happened in accordance with this clause. It was not breaking contract to resign within the stipulated period, regardless of the length left on your contract.

Obviously, the OP needs to check their contract, but not ALL cases of resigning are breaking contract and that statement is still true.

I have to disagree slightly. I was at a school which had a clause in the contract that said either the teacher or the school could end the contract early with X month's notice. I asked HR if this would be breaking contract. They assured me that it wasn't and there were people who took advantage of this clause with no negative repercussions by the school. I think it is a very unique situation, but it does exist.

Housing and schooling are definitely taxed, whether given to you in cash or paid directly by the school (in the case of tuition). I am not sure on flight benefits.

It is still manageable to live on one salary depending on which school you are at and how you choose to live. Singapore is expensive, but there are ways to live cheaply if you want. I know of at least three teachers in Singapore who are single hires with at least two dependents and they all seem to be making it. I can't speak to the level of savings possible on one salary. If you know what your salary and benefit amounts would be, you can check your tax responsibilities here: https://www.iras.gov.sg/irashome/Quick- ... lculators/ (use the tax resident).