Job Discussion Forums

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Anyone? Have you:
* Been there;
* Taught there;
* Views on life there (esp. Bishkek);
* How much one would need to earn to live comfortably there;
* Know anything about London School there?
ANY relevant insight greatly appreciated.

[saint57]

This may not be meaningful in anyway to you. However, one of my former co-workers in China worked in Bishkek for two years. She was at an international school. Her pay was $1,000 U.S. She had a son with her and found it easy to live off this amount. I heard her say bad things about life in China and Mexico, but honestly I never heard anything too negative about Kyrgyzstan. I think they had a good time and I'm personally impressed that they lived in a place that is so far off the beaten path. One local teacher at her school was being paid $16 a month. Even if the cost of living is so low, don't take a job offering $400 U.S. unless you have some coin in the bank.

[dreadnought]

Have been living in Bishkek now for a couple of years, am married to a local girl and we have a kid!!

Can't give you too many details about the teaching situation here as I've been working as a teacher trainer for the Soros Foundation. However, there aren't that many schools here as far as I know..I've been to the London School to speak to the owner and it seems a pretty good operation. Not sure what the pay is like though. There's a few other schools I think, but can't give you anything concrete.

Bishkek's a nice city, spacious and green though inevitably has that Eastern European/communist stamp all over it, particular when it comes to the architecture. Plenty of places to go out, some good restaurants. And of course there's the whole nature thing: Lake Issy Kul is wonderful and just the views of the mountains are spectacular.

What i like most here is the ethnic mix. Kyrgyz, Russians, Tajiks, Koreans all living together in (not quite perfect, but pretty damn good) harmony. And it also means that for men, there's a woman to suit all tastes..

In terms of living, you could survive Ok on about $200 a month, though I think if you have an extravagant lifestyle (if you like to go out a lot etc), then $400-500 would be more realistic.

any more questions you have I'll try to answer them

[asromacalcio]

I was recently offered a job in Kyrgyzstan and did not hesitate to accept it. My only regret is that I don't go until mid-September.

I guess this latter detail rules me out of giving an objective point of view on the country and Bishkek in particular, but I have done some research and got in touch with teachers already out there and I have not come across anything that has dampened my enthusiasm.

I have also made contact with a few people from Kyrgyzstan and many Russians and everybody down to the last person has been very encouraging.

Italy has been my TEFL home so far and of course now I have to prepare for a very different environment, but from what I hear, there are few better places to have to adapt to than Kyrgyzstan.

[Tiger Beer]

[poof]

bump.

Also wonder about the following from kyrgyzstan:

How do you actually get to kyrgyzstan - do you necessarily have to fly in with a flight transfer from Moscow? Expensive?

Is Malaria or any other diseases an issue in the region?

In Bishkek, what types of activities/clubs are available to join in? Is there a wide range of sporting activities, for example?

Also, I'd be interested in opportunities to travel to surrounding places on silk road. Easy to access? Expensive?

What would be the 3 most recommended items to bring into the country from home?

[asromacalcio]

[Plan B]

I have only good things to say about both Kyrgyzstan and London School.

I was there for 7 months, about 3 years back.

Certainly one of the most unique and eventful times I've had in my life. I must say that I miss the place somewhat, although towards the end, I remembered getting quite impatient with the lack of options.

Weekends were usually spent heading off to the mountains - only 30 minutes away by Marchute(?), or heading out on an all day walk / drinking binge. Annoyances - the cops shaking you up for cash, and the monotony of the food choices - there's only so much lagman and samsa that you can handle for one day.

One rare treat is the giant bazaars in the town. If you are into a bit of experimental cooking, a trip to Osh market is a godsend. I am yet to see such a variety of herbs, spice, and vegetables in one place.

London School, although modest in its pay, is an extremely well-run organisation with 20 or so hours of teaching, spread evenly between Monday and Friday. No split shifts. Weekends off, except for the occasional school trip in the mountains, which were surprisingly a lot of fun.

A lot may have changed since I left, which was before the "revolution". However, the friends I keep in contact there say it's pretty much business as usual.