Job Discussion Forums

[exploradora]

Hello all,

I am looking into possible teaching positions abroad in the near future. The glitches: I have an infant and am not married. I have a partner whom I plan to marry but various financial and immigration issues need to be settled first.

My questions:

- What countries are more willing to employ a single mom?

My experience:
- Licensed K-12 ESL teacher with 9 years experience in public, private, and alternative schools (8 years U.S., 1 year Mexico).
- Almost done with Masters - just that darn thesis hanging over my head.

My goals:
- Save some money (which makes me think Middle Eastern countries)
- Just have an experience

Thank you in advance! I've been lurking and everyone seems very helpful.

[blackmagicABC]

I can only gove you accurate information about Taiwan as any other info would be dated or not applicable. I have two friends here who are single parent teachers and they seem to do fine.
Benefits here (I am sure it would be applicable in other countries as well).
Medical insurance is less than 30 US per person per month(obviously including the baby) which means a visit to the doctor including medicine would cost you between 2 and 4 US. Serious things are excluded but dentist check ups, coughs and fevers etc are covered.
You are a very well qualified female and thus would find a job working with kindergarten or elementary school kids a lot easier than a male. (before anyone posts some retarded comment it has nothing to do with men being pedophiles. I have a school and kids adapt easier to a female teacher than to a male teacher from my exxperience. You are also a lot less likely to run into a female teacher who gets to work hangover or worst, still drunk. They are equally good though.)
I have never heard of any discrimination against single mothers when applying for teaching positions, in fact, they will probably help you look after the baby while you teach at many places. Not all but many.
I was a banker before moving to Taiwan and can say from personal experience that although it is frustrating when a woman has to leave work when the child gets ill or whatever, they are a lot harder working than many other people and get more done in less time. Just my opinion. If you are like this I am sure you would have no problem.
I also know that you can apply for a visa for your child attached to your working visa, since I have friends that do the same. On another thread I promised someone to find out how it works and since I have not had the time yet I can not tell you how to, but I promise to let you know as soon as I know.
Hope this is roughly what you were looking for.
A final word though, everything you get here is going to be anecdotal evidence and I suggest you do your research carefully before deciding, which you seem to be doing.

[Glenski]

Are you saying that even though you have a partner whom you will marry, you are planning to travel to teach without that partner first?

If your partner is coming along, will they work or take care of the baby?

Are you planning to get married before you go to teach?

If you are going without your partner, how long will you likely be gone before returning to get married?

[ecocks]

I don't think any schools in Ukraine really care about whether you are a single parent. If you can support them on the salary paid, that is your decision, not the schools. The only obvious question I would have would be how it impacts your scheduling and performance. If your availability is unreasonable by the school's standards or if you started being late/not showing for scheduled work, it would certainly be a problem. That said, it would be the same problem whether you were letting alcohol, computer-gaming, drugs or stalking someone get in the way of your performance. I suggest you not make a big deal about it unless it is specifically requested by the employer (like some of the ME ads).

[Glenski]

ecocks,
The "big problem" is daycare. If she is here alone, who takes care of the child? Infants usually don't get put into daycare facilities, do they? In Japan, you would be very hard-pressed to find anyone. Babysitting is virtually nonexistent.

[MELEE]

In Latin America since the OP is a school teacher she is eligible for the jobs with the nicest hours. Which would make childcare easier to come by. You won't make a lot of money, but you'll have a great experience. I generally would say it would be hard because you'd have to work long hours and spend a lot of time away from your baby--I know I've been there, but with a license to teach K-12 and 9 years experience--great qualifications by the way!--you could get a job that pays you more than enough to support you and your little one, though not save a lot, and likely is 7am to 3pm. Leaving you the rest of the day to be mom.

[naturegirl321]

YOu could probably get into any international school just pick a country

[exploradora]

Thank you for all of the input!

I saw a couple of ME applications where it asked for marital status and number of dependents, and was uncertain of how this knowledge would impact a decision. I am open to whatever country.

Ideally, my significant other would be able to join me as a spouse or partner. We'll marry as soon as immigration issues are cleared up (since this isn't an immigration board, I won't bore you with details). He's from an African country, speaks English, has a Masters degree, and is willing to do whatever kind of work or take care of our baby.

I think chosing to make it a non-issue is the best approach. The only obstacle I can see is a potential daycare problem.

Thanks again!

[ITTP]

Hi exploradora!

Yep, your biggest issue will be the day care factor (if your partner will also be working).
I live in Prague and have a 3 year old daughter.
I would definitely recommend researching Asian countries because children are put on a pedestal in countries such as Thailand, Japan, etc. and your child will feel like a star.
In Europe children tend to be seen as a nuisance

All the best!

Neville
ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

[spiral78]

I suppose you mean by employers, Neville. Seeing as how the Czech Rep's in the midst of a good-sized baby boom just now - it's clear that not EVERYONE sees children as a nuisance!!

[ecocks]

[naturegirl321]

[desultude]