Cameroon and Ethiopa

[nathan61]

@Joe30

You don't seem to understand that some people actually like places in Africa and want to live there. How many people do you need to hear that from? Believe it or not we don't all have the same criteria.

[Thames Pirate]

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[counselme]

Take a look at the UK travel advisory for Ethiopia before you venture out of the capital city.

[joe30]

@nathan61

While individual tastes will vary, there's some things that almost everyone will be able to agree on regarding desirable characteristics in a country. For example, I'm sure we can all agree that high crime rates are bad. We all don't like the idea of unexploded landmines tearing us to bits. No one wants to run a high risk of getting HIV when having sex. Clean and fresh water will be acknowledged by all here as a good thing, and all but a few will consider high speed reliable internet to be a plus point. I don't need to phrase what I'm saying as an 'opinion' when describing such things, since every sane person is in agreement regarding basic qualities of a country we might like to live it.

This isn't like a debate between a nature lover and a guy who loves to go out partying in the city, as both those types could well have different ideas of a dream location. No, what we're talking about is things like cleanliness, safety and health - which everyone values. Africa doesn't provide any of them.

[nathan61]

@joe30

You really are not getting the simple message. SOME PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE IN AFRICA. International School of Kenya has no trouble getting qualified teachers, and Nairobi is one of the most dangerous posts out there. How do they pull that off? Well, SOME PEOPLE LIKE AFRICA. I am not living in a third world country now, but I actually miss a lot of the third world benefits.

[joe30]

@nathan61

It's a big world, and you can find 'some people' who like to do almost anything. There's 'some people' who like to watch another guy have sex with their wife. There's 'some people' who like to blow themselves up in the name of Allah. I don't have any difficulty believing there's a small minority who like the idea of living among landmines and crime. That doesn't mean I have to phrase what I write as an opinion just to keep this small section of people happy.

[nathan61]

Joe30 wrote:

"The thing is though, aside from a few schools (i.e. I can count them on one hand) you don't get the financial compensation for putting up with these hardships."

I was merely responding to your consternation at not getting financial compensation for living in Africa. I too was initially surprised to learn that there are many die-hard Africa lovers out there. (I still have not met anyone who would love to travel in Saudi or Kuwait).

[shadowjack]

Nathan30, I would go back to Saudi, but never Kuwait. I enjoyed my time in Saudi and if the right offer/job came along at the right time...

[nathan61]

I've had a lot of friends who liked living in Saudi too. It seems to me that some people fall in love with African culture, languages, landscapes, wildlife etc. I am thinking of people I've known and stars like Prince Harry, Jessica Alba etc. People I know seem to like the life in Saudi, but I can't say they have had an abiding passion for Saudi people, society, or the landscape.

[Psychometrika]

One man's hardship is another's romantic allure. Given the right set of circumstances I would consider sub-Saharan Africa. But then again, I am a former Peace Corps volunteer and I highly value the cultural aspects of travel. I can see how it would not be for everyone though.

[joe30]

@nathan61

It's my position that an IT should be demanding significantly more money to work in Africa than they would in other regions. I've seen nothing on this thread to change my mind. The fact there's a small section of people who apparently 'love' the region means nothing - in the world, there's always going to be outliers.

@Psychometrika

What sort of cultural experience can one really get, if you can only leave your accomodation under armed escort?

[Thames Pirate]

One could learn that one doesn't actually need an armed escort, for starters.

Also, you don't seem to understand supply and demand. They don't pay more because they don't need to.

[joe30]

With the ridiculous crime levels out there, I certainly wouldn't be stepping out of the apartment without security. There's plenty of stories in this region of teachers requiring armed guards with them - see the thread on Kinshasa.

As for supply and demand, by using this pay policy they are restricting themselves to a small group of oddballs who like living in warzones. Hardly a great and healthy recruitment pool.

[chilagringa]

Fun fact: Africa is a continent with over 50 countries, with variety as wide as Russia to Spain in Europe, or Japan to Sri Lanka. There are some countries in Africa that would require an armed escort, but most do not.

[Thames Pirate]

Fun fact: Many countries in Africa are more stable and safer than Thailand.

Fun fact: If you keep your pants on or use a condom, you can eliminate or significantly lower your risk of HIV. Safe sex is a good idea in any location.

Fun fact: Our favourite part of our visit to Africa was talking to the people. Friendly, open, smiling, happy people are fun to be around, and we met almost exclusively open, friendly, happy people. That alone would be a reason to teach in Africa.

Fun fact: There are countries where you can drink the water. Many also have relatively stable power supplies. And the ones where that isn't the case? You adapt, just like you do anywhere else. Unlimited internet is not a necessity in life. Sometimes a good book or a visit to local sites or a day river rafting or hiking or just enjoying a drink with neighbours or colleagues does the trick.

Fun fact: Some of those schools have great career opportunities--unusual extracurriculars like sailing and equestrian programs (Khartoum, for those wondering), opportunity for IB experience or even leadership, etc. I know that won't attract you, but it does attract a lot of good teachers.

Fun fact: There are myriad reasons to teach in Africa that attract good teachers (and weed out people just in it to lay on a beach or for dates and cash). They don't need to pay more because they have enough good teachers--not just "oddballs who like living in war zones," but people genuinely there to teach and learn and experience the culture and country. My guess is that many of these schools also have a fantastic sense of community.

It doesn't work for you; we get it. There are lots of us who would absolutely consider some or all of Africa.