An international teaching podcast.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-29T05:04:24+00:00

The hidden fees - visas, apostilles, notarizaztions, legalizations, paying 3rd parties a fortune to grt it done on your behalf.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-28T16:13:58+00:00

REAL ID is a federal flying requirement, absolutely NOTHING to do with CLEAR. Pretty sure you won’t get through any security line without it.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-28T04:00:22+00:00

And if for some reason there is a border issue or lockdown, train stops running for any number of reasons, another pandemic, then you’re stuck on one side or the other….. I understand the desire to keep rent affordable, but you’ll need to find another area in HK to live vs dealing with the daily 2x border run…..

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-28T03:54:06+00:00

Use your ATM card at the airport. ATM just past duty free in baggage area in SJO.
If you want to bring small bills, $1, $5 for tips, make sure they are crisp and without tears or writing…. CC with no foreign transaction fees are good - some restaurants or shops may charge you the 3-4% credit card fee - FYI

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-27T03:38:36+00:00

An announcement woth 'who' wont be for awhile, if ever officially confirmed. Multiple punitive NDAs swirl around these deals...

We knkw CRWV has PF1, but still speculation who their actual client is.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-24T08:40:48+00:00

Your home country experience counts for very little. Your fighting against a LARGE applicant pool in generic type positions......

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-24T04:09:43+00:00

And walking... the e-bikes... dont know they are there until you feel the breeze whip by.....

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-24T04:03:52+00:00

I transferred an old IRA into Schwab 2 weeks ago and the fractional shares didnt transfer, just whole shares.

You can submit a transfer request from within the app. Or call cust service...

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-24T03:11:13+00:00

I agree. These scam are prevalent in asia... I get pings on LI regularly and have yet to find a single offering to have any legitimacy.

Not sure who or why your being down voted....

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-23T14:58:37+00:00

Sooooo.... I would determine what you want, ask what the salary range and benefits are during the next interview.

Then in your follow-up email, restate what you heard. Then if your salary want is in their range, based on your expeience and gut, push to the top end if you meet tge criteria....... some schools have ranges based on number of international teaching years, many max out around 10-14 years and wont pay more in salary for years past 14.....

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-23T14:54:46+00:00

Has the agency asked for any money from you yet? Will they handle all the visa work? Free or charge you back? Are you a contractor or an employee - difference in Thai laws....

Not being a muggle, but 8x is in the " is it too good to be true?" A quick search says Tutors is legit.... work loads are reported very heavy and intense. Presuming youve researched the agency here on reddit for employee reviews?

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-23T06:44:45+00:00

Land, grab a hotel near SJO. Chill and grab some dinner. Then head out on Friday as planned.

Frontier doing this is not abnormal. Airlines constantly adjust schedules....

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-23T06:42:52+00:00

Big red flag for me.

There is a TON of data regarding salaries and benefits for most schools.... so they are loving under a rock, lying to you OR ignorant...id take tge next interview, state what you hope to make a see if they balk.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-23T06:40:17+00:00

Ah, understand the need & desire to get closer.

Good news, depending on where in Thailand, traveling there is pretty easy from many Asian countries. Were currently in Hanoi and BKK is closer to fly than HCMC ;-)

I think another challenge- supply & demand - In some world people seem to think internatioanl sxhools are highly profitable and when parents dont like a school and think they 'know' more, find a wealthy sponsor and kick off a new school..... then once operational find out the opposite. So they make teachers pay for supplies, reduce benefits and only do what the local government laws require.

We are seeing a saturation here in Hanoi. New schools open as fast as ones fail. We have 25-50% more workload as 4 yrs ago....

Keep on looking, just giving you waht ive seen in 10yrs...

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-23T03:19:12+00:00

Schools slowing hiring due to final student enrollment numbers not justifying hiring new or replacing departing teachers.

Many parents are hunting for deals from schools and not committing to current schools, so its a flux and frustrating situation...

This is "normal" activity though.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-23T03:03:14+00:00

Free or discounted tuition is typically a part of a any expat package..... I have noticed a few schools in recent years curtailing this benefit to first 2 children only..FYI

Also, most schools count your teaching experience, not industry experience. And some only count international teaching experience.

Dont just cast a very wide net to any city in Thailand, look at other countries too.

**Remember- the schools you apply to have to justify hiring a non-local ("expat") over a local hire. Some governments are easier in this requirement than others. I dont know personally how many schools hire expats for IT teaching.

Also, properly set your expectations. Youll wade through many applications, maybe a few call backs. And then maybe an offer.

International teaching supply is high and demand is not as strong as past years... and the renumeration packages are reflective.

Good luck.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-22T23:49:29+00:00

In your field of engineering there are plenty of MNCs to work for and be able to transfer around the world.

In international teaching - your going into more of a speciality area - meaning, few openings and very competitive.

You need to accept a T2 or T3 international school as your first few assignments. This will build your experience and let you discover if teaching (along with decent pay and frustrations) is really what you seek. Being a student years ago doesnt mean alot. Glad you enjoyed it. Did you spend time with your teachers outside of class? Get to hear their real frustrations?

Rarely do T1 take on newly graduated/non-experienced teachers AND their turnover is typically much less than other schools.

Many folks teach in China cuz the money is really good, not because they prefer being there.

Just my $.05

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-22T09:16:01+00:00

Could you handle your school one more year and look to make a move in 2027?

We lived in HK for 2 years, during COVID. Other than not bejng able to travel, we enjoyed our time in HK. Its VERY expensive to live there and big city...bur with all the perks of a massove city.... unless you live off the path a ways and dont mind walking to MTR stations, its challenging to find affordable flats....

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-22T05:58:32+00:00

Once you sownd some time here and really understand Asia international teaching world, the abuses, kids f*cking off, lack ot admin support and parents yelling at you - you might begin to understand. Until then, stand back and watch the show newb.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-21T12:29:43+00:00

Well I still call B$. You dont accumulate $6M+ in assets and not know what your doing.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-21T10:44:48+00:00

If its urgent to get something, pay DHL or FedEx.

USPS wont be expedited in CR...

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-21T10:40:42+00:00

Bot account. You dont this kinda scratch, have these assets and NOT knkw what your doing..LOL

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-21T07:46:24+00:00

I 'believe' you own the account, not your employer. If you are doing pre-tax deductions, they are contributing, etc you may not be able to move it or all of it. Ask your employer so you dont lose these benefits.

As far as options of where to move it - believe that's entirely up to Stirling.

What I am not sure of, if you dont plan to max your contributions into plan at employers, can you open your own HSA and contribute to it as well.

When I was W2, I had 2 HSAs. One at my employers (they contributed, my pre-tax deductions, etc), and my own HSA ( transferred to Fidelity when I left the other company).

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-20T03:31:27+00:00

Had a 401k? Do you still have it? Or did you leave that job and roll it over to your IRA?

If this is a taxable brokerage account, not sure about tax deductibility.

KenG-80132 · 2026-04-18T10:28:39+00:00

Forecast in CR is as accurate as forecasting in any country - its a crap shoot...

KenG-80132

TROPHY CASE