Job Discussion Forums

saint57 · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:33 am Post subject: Most Important Factor

When I first considered teaching abroad, I really wanted to go to Japan. I didn't care about all of the bad things written about certain big language schools. I would have been happy at any of them. However, none of them wanted me. I remember before I went to an interview a woman said, "They'll hire anyone. All you need is a pulse." Well, I proved her wrong. I got denied by two different schools.

Korea (Money/Desperate Scumbag Factor)

My first job was in Korea, because it was close to Japan and the money was good. It turned out to be hell, but the money was good.

China (Location/Experience)

My second job was in China. The pay was dirt, but I really wanted to live in China and I taught at an "international school", which helped me get into teachers' college.

Malaysia (Holidays/Experience)

The pay isn't anything to write home about but I get about 13 weeks of holidays. I'm also teaching my home country's curriculum, which can't hurt me when I plan on returning home.

The Future (Money/Experience)

Malaysia is a great place to live. However, in the future I'll take money over location. I'm seriously considering a less desirable location for more money next year.

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

I go for money, hours, and vacations, because I've found that EVERYTHING else is unpredictable: students, type of classes, housing, colleagues, admins, local amenities, etc. When you go overseas you sign on for whatever foolishness happens to come your way, and I figure I need something to count on. The contract terms provide the only known variables.

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

now, id say location. i wanna avoid any more sleepless nights on aicraft. thoughts of travelling to places like vietnam n indonesia (from uk) to work fills me with dread when id have to think about getting there. middle east / levant is fine. kazakhstan is getting to close to an overnight journey, though.
any other people dread the travelling ? mayb its an age thing but being tied to a chair with artificial air, food etc for hours on end is just plain unhealthy and unnatural. perhaps in this gig, its an occupational hazard but i prefer to cut that discomfort down now.
best
basil Smile

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I'd like to say location, but honestly, money and benefits are up there higher than I'd like. Now that my kids are getting into school, I am looking somewhere that they can get a good education and where i can make a wage the whole family can live on. Unfortunately, this cancels out 90% of the globe.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

What happened to girls? Don't all men come to asia for the women? Well at least that is what some women want to think!!! Very Happy

saint57 · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject:

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

saint57 · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:36 pm Post subject:

See what I mean. While Korea has some fabulous women, it' not a place most people would go to specifically for the women. I know you're there for the money first. You've written about saving and investing a few times. Increased attractiveness caused by being a foreigner with money is a side benefit.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Yes, I am here for the money. Now that I got a better job, I hope to save $24000 USD a year!!!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Location for me, and though that wasn't the biggest factor at the outset, it has become so. When I say location, I think not only geography and climate, but lifestyle and culture as well.

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

For most it's a balance between loation and money. For me I don't think I could hack the all male enviroment of the middle east no matter what the money. I choose Japan now because it's a pretty good location with very good money. BUT if all jobs paid the same I'd be the type that flitted from one place to another.

Get one of the better jobs in the country youre in and then you end up in what I call the "golden handcuffs" scenario. Bloody nice life, but at the expense of the very diversity that a lot of us got into TEFL for in the first place.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

saint57 · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:28 am Post subject:

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Until I can get my loans paid off, I've unfortunately got to choose "money". Happily, though, I've also (with one very crappy exception) managed to find good, academic jobs with colleagues who both care about teaching and enjoy socializing.

d

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh