Job Discussion Forums

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

What countries (probably in the ME or Asia) would you suggest be short listed for a married couple looking to locate for 2 years? Wife is non-teacher, caucasian. artist type, speaks Russian, Greek and intermediate English.

Considerations would include lifestyle, security, finances and academic environment, maybe more.

Thanks in advance.

linchobbs · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Korla, Xinjiang

Hi,

Wow, that's a bit vague!
Had a teacher here and he liked the experience. He brought a wife, lovely lady, and she nearly died of boredom. I suspect you can find a lot of places where you can have a reasonable job and work experience. Perhaps the better question is what will your wife do? What are her interests and skills? Just a thought, L

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You've listed a little about your wife. How about you?
And, do either of you have college degrees? What majors?
Are both of you looking for work, or just you?

Just what are your "considerations" for lifestyle and academic environment?

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: Thoughts? Suggestions?

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:59 am Post subject:

Do you want to have fun and enjoy yourself (lifestyle) or make money?

And, as mentioned before - we need to know more about your qualifications.

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

EFL Cert - 4 week, 120 hour program w/ practicum, 2 years EFL experience, Bachelors/Masters in Business, University and High School teaching background for 15 years. Was thinking about maybe doing a CELTA in the next year or so just for additional development. Of course, I could take one of those absolutely fantastic online courses from right here in the apartment I guess! Very Happy

As to lifestyle versus money - that is why I was looking for discussion and considerations. ME or Japan are probably the best money but would the wife be able to stand the restrictions? My kids are grown so it would be nice to be able to save a little but not expecting to put away thousands.

As I said, my wife is an artist, she has taught children from 5th grade to 12th and is also interested in teaching/tutoring Russian and/or Greek.

That help?

phantombedwetter · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:36 am Post subject:

Listen, I think you'll get a job more or less anywhere with your exp. and quals.

I would give the ME a miss, restrictions, climate (Sheer hell), safety etc unless you can get a job for mega bucks with an oil company teaching on platforms for example.
The money is a little better than elsewhere, but the lack of quality of life doesn't compensate, unless you're into moonshine, gambling and wifeswapping.

I was in Beijing for two years and saved nearly 2000USD a month and had a very good quality of life (with two working full time). One of my best friends had a Russian wife who was part of the thriving community mainly in the export business. There is even a Russian area of Beijing with Russian pubs, restaurants, shops and offices.

If you're looking for money in the ME, I hear Blackwater is recruiting for convoy protection. Very Happy

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland