Job Discussion Forums

Desha · Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 5

My husband and I are looking for a way to save some money in the next couple of years. There's so much info. out there, but need some advice for our situation.

Here it is: my husband is a fantastic elementary school teacher with a B.A. and 6 yrs. experience.

I have a master's degree at SIT in International Exchange Management with a couple of years experience in the international education field (mostly undergrad study abroad)- I have taught Spanish on the side and am flexible.

Question: For the purpose of saving money, where is the best place to go considering our backgrounds? We don't have any kids (yet!) and are pretty free to go anywhere for 2 yrs. Do you reccomend the Middle East or Asia? Is Korea the best for this? Is going overseas realistic for saving $?? Help! Oh yes, we also have a dog that needs to stay with us (if possible) because we love her!

Thanks for any advice!

Southern girl

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

I think the two of you are in a very enviable position, with the exception of the dog.

I don't think you should have any worries about money, especially if you are both working. You'll be able to bank one of your salary in full and probably another quarter of the other salary.

First of all, I think you should pick up a travel guide and think about which country is more appealing for you. Then do a little perusing through the job adverts to get a rough guide for the teaching salaries in the region.

Often young couples are welcomed at smaller language conversation schools in Japan. These kinds of jobs are usually in more remote areas and often come with apartment and car. It might be kind of nice for you, don't you think. They often can't afford to give you two full-time schedules (or salaries) but I think you'll still find plenty to bank and still have a lot of free time to enjoy your surroundings together.

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:43 am Post subject:

If your husband is certified in your home state or province - then the Middle East might be best for you. UAE specifically. An International school for him (US$40k+ free housing, free airtickets, free medical, no taxes, etc) and a university or Junior College for you (close to similar). Though I am not so sure what your degree would qualify you for.

Dog(s) would need to be carefully monitored in the ME - as the dominant culture there views them as "dirty."

Korea - life would be slightly higer quality - harder to put together good jobs for both of you (avoid the hogwan trap - head for univesities - but even that can be shaky) - but you would save less.

If Goal = Saving Money then it's hard to beat the ME - Japan Korea maybe - but it will take a year or two to climb the food chain. ME - you can start in a good position and move up from there.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:49 am Post subject: Re: Best place for saving money

Desha · Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 5

Dear kind people- thank you for your advice.

I feel more confident in our position of going overseas and saving money. Matt was offered a job in a Canadian school in the UAE called "Abu Dhabi Grammar School", but the salary sounds drastically low compared to your posts. They offered him $2000 a month, plus free rent, but could not pay relocation expenses except for his ticket - they would not pay mine unless they employed me.

They also sound scattered on the phone. From your info, this sounds like a bad deal, am i correct?

Do you think it is too late to find jobs for this academic year? What's best way to find job now? Or, wait for next year and sign up for a job fair with ISS etc?

You are wonderful for helping, thank you Very Happy

Desha and Matt

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:56 pm Post subject:

Unless your husband's offer is for a real international school in the UAE - don't even think about it. It will most likely be a real hell hole. Look for minimum US$2800 a month and plane tickets for both of you. Free housing and no taxes.

In Korea - your husband - again - should work for an international school. His qualifications are far too good to relegate himself to a hagwon and two weeks off a year. Take your time, be patient and find the right jobs it will make a big difference in the bottom line - as well as in the quality of your experience.

I'd root for working through ISS - and in the next year - you getting a TEFL Certification of some sort (even if just online) and a little teaching experience (volunteering?) - so you can fluff up your resume a little. With those - you may be able to land a university position in Korea (probably not in the ME though).

There are often last minute placements at international schools (all schools really) as people fail to show up - or show up and bail out as it wasn't what they thought it would be.

If it seems like it would be difficult to coordinate it all to make it work for both of you - yes, it may well be. But it is well worth wrestling with. Put his job first - he has the best qualifications - and you can search for something near him - and take your time to find the best possible position. For you, in Korea - no problem - in the ME - women are always in short supply - so you might have to search a bit - but most likely would find something of good quality and good compensation.

ttlesl · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 22

If your husband is a licensed teacher from the U.S., he may be able to get a very good paying job in Thailand teaching at an international school. They use to all look for PGCE but now they are (sometimes) looking at American teachers because of the shortage. Let me know if you need information on the international schools here.

I agree with the group. Take your time, look around and also decided personally where you would like to be. It is great to say "I'm going to the Middle East because it is more money!" but if you really don't want to live there, then it will be a very unhappy experience.

With regards to the Dog, I can say that Korea will be difficult because of the size of the apartments you will stay in. I know...I had a dog there! Very Happy

Luckily mine was just a little beagle.

Good luck in your search!

Celeste · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:29 am Post subject:

My husband and I have had the good fortune to have been able to do the Double Income No Kids thing in both Korea and Japan. It has been Very good to us. We did EPIK (ENglish Program In Korea) for 2 years, and the JET programme (Japanese Exchange Teaching Programme) for 3 years. While the set up costs in Japan were higher, the lifestyle was better for us and we stayed longer. Korea was a lot cheaper to set up in, but we found the culture harder to adapt to and didn't stay as long. These days I think that you can save a similar amount in either place. PM me if you want to know more.

van-island · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:50 am Post subject:

I would second the recommendation for the JET Programme if you're willing to go through the long (up to 11 months) application process, and have very little job satisfaction.

JET makes a real effort to place couples together, and with you and your husband's qualifications, you'd both be a sure thing to get in.

Theoretically, you could save one whole JET salary (approx. $35,000 USD) and live on the other one. The lifestyle is easygoing, but the 'teaching' isn't really teaching so much as assisting.

However, if you're wanting a rewarding job I would look for international schools or university positions.

good luck!