Job Discussion Forums

smooches · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 11

I'm planning to teach abroad for two years or so and I am meeting with recruiters now. I'm considering Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain but I could use a realistic perspective about my options.

I'm a US Citizen, Fluent in English, MEd in Education, Certified K-8 teacher, 8 years of experience teaching Kindergarten, 2 years as an Instructional Coach.

I also have a 1 year-old son so I need to know about childcare options. ANY advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Advice about what? About the only thing I can comment on from your post is if you are meeting with recruiters is that the better employers don't use them

smooches · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 11

mimi_intheworld · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 167 Location: UAE

If you'd like to work in primary school (which seems likely, given your quals), I am interviewing with ADEC, going through a recruiter. UAE, from everything I've heard, is quite safe for you and your child, and has plenty of English speaking schools if you choose to enrol him. [helenl, ADEC uses recruiters to screen teachers before in-person interviews.]

smooches · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 11

Thanks mimi, saw your post in another thread.
How was your interview? Do you mind sharing the details of your experience?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

ADEC is probably the only decent employer in UAE that uses recruiters. They don't provide any education allowance which would be of importance to the OP. There are nurseries but hours of operation and quality of care can vary - careful research is needed.

Suggest OP researches the k-12 private schools as well as looking at ADEC.

Also, it would be very important that she have documentation concerning the custody status of her son - UAE is very careful to ensure that single women have full custody and the documentation hoops that must be jumped can be tedious.

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

The UAE is an exceptionally child-friendly place (in my opinion).

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain (in particular) - are both wall-to-wall parks.

Just make sure you have a good employer - and might find yourself a delightful nanny/maid from Sri Lanka who will spoil your kid, big time.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Few places in the world are more child friendly than the Middle East. But, I just want to emphasize that you will be required to provide written permission from the father... whether you are or ever were married to him.

VS

smooches · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 11

Thanks everyone for sharing your responses! Sounds like the UAE is more child-friendly than my current city so this is great for my kid. I was choosing between 3 locations and Abu Dhabi is definitely my first choice at the moment. Cool

Dad and I are married and we're all going together but he travels a lot so I need to get a handle on childcare now. I set up an interview and I'm waiting to hear back now. Wish us well!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

That is great. So you have back-up if you can't arrange childcare immediately. This can be a difficult process for single mothers.

Good Luck in the interview!

VS

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

This is not a cheap option and the only couples that I knew that had live-in nannies were teaching couples. (or those that husbands in high pay non-education jobs) It also requires a large enough flat to house her.

VS