Job Discussion Forums

[anguyen]

I have a spouse and child and we would like to spend a few years living abroad. During this time I am planning to home-school my son as, for him independent study best suits his learning style. But, we would like a little extra money to enable him to join extra curricular activites: sports or music, something of that kind.

Things we need to consider are:
*Cost of living as my husband does not have a degree and will be staying home to care for our child while I work.

*Time for me to teach my son and then my husband can supervise his follow through/completion of the tasks and provide help as needed.

*Health Insurance as we are a family.

*Quality of life. We are doing this to enrich our lives and our son's world view. I love teaching and have no problems putting my heart and soul into every lesson. But, we would like to avoid high stress situations.

Options we have considered: A University in China, as I have been there before and it is a reasonable work load for livable pay. We looked at Vietnam as my husband is Vietnamese, but the pay does not appear to be enough for a family to live independently.

I am posting here to hear what other families have done. There may be other places we have never considered!

A little about me: I have a Masters of Ed, Bachelors in Mass Communications, Spanish and International Politics (Yes, a tripple degree, what a nerd! ), and graduate level endorsement of 6 courses in ESL/Bilingual Education. I also have 5 years of experience teaching in the US, 1 year in China, 1 semester in Venezuela.

I apologize if this question has been asked. I've reviewed many posts and haven't seen it. Thanks!!

[Guy Courchesne]

My partner and I are in a similar position, though we both already had considerable experience in Mexico before forming our family.

We have a 2 year old born in Mexico and another baby due any day now. My partner works at a top international school in Mexico City, has a master's in education and is working on a 2nd master's (though her employing school). I worked part time and played stay at home dad for the first two years and will continue to do so for the new baby while our 2 year old starts school. I am self-employed in EFL.

We have two levels of health care: state coverage for the whole family and private insurance covering dental, eyecare, general health, etc through my partner's employer covering the whole family except me.

The idea of having time for homeschooling was important to us as well, albeit for a toddler (you didn't say how your child is, but I assume of school age?). We've made sure to have time for activities both in and outside of the house - gymboree in her first year and a lot of reading, games, etc with me during the day and with mom in the evening.

So far, it's been a great experience. With the arrival of the second child, I'm sure it is going to be a lot more work but we're up for the challenge.

[MotherF]

I was also going to suggest you look at Mexico, if your husband is game.
I work full time at a university and earn enough for my family of 5. My husband has been a full-time student during the past 8 years.

[globalcitizen1968]

Stay with the asia plan my friend. Salaries are better in China and Japan for example than anyplace in Latin America.

[globalcitizen1968]

[MotherF]

[sharter]

I'm British and have a 12-year-old boy. When he was two, he and his mum came to live with me (we had to get married for that)in Qatar and they loved it. I would highly recommend certain countries in the Middle East, namely, Qatar, UAE and Kuwait. Firstly, despite what you see on CNN, they are all safe. Secondly, because the climate is great you can have a pool life, which is very healthy. Thirdly, there is tonnes of teaching work and it's well-paid. Fourthly there are loads of options when it comes to childcare such as creches and Filipina nannies. Fifthly, Arabs are really family centred and my son was always well treated by everyone.

Btw-He now swims for a club which has produced 3 olympic medallists and is a really healthy, happy young lad!!

[tttompatz]

OP: With your credentials there are lots of decent options (I am assuming you are American).

Europe may be off your radar (visa issues) but the middle east, Asia and ALL of the Americas are options for you.

With home country teacher certification you have the option of international schools everywhere. There is also the option of working in places like Tawian in the government school system (salaries on the order of 80k TWD + benefits), the NET program in Hong Kong, universities in China, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.

In ALL cases it is NOT difficult bringing and caring for your family and there will be the option (not always legal but often accepted) of supplemental work for yourself and your husband.

Medical insurance isn't always the big issue that it would be in the states and is affordable if it is not offered by your employer. As an example, medical care is cheap in Asia ($5-10 for a doctor's visit and meds for a common ailment and even more complex issues aren't bad ($100 per day for in-patient care in a private hospital)). I have BUPA insurance and my cost is about $100 per month for a family of 3 and most things are 100% covered.

Pick a country, compare the standard of living and potential savings (NOT GROSS SALARY). $30,000 per year is below the poverty rate in the US but goes a LONG way in China, Thailand or Indonesia (with savings on the order of $20k per year).

.

[naturegirl321]

If you have a teaching license, then check out intl schools. Most of the world would be open to you.