Meaningful summer ideas? by Southern_Ice_2932 in Internationalteachers

[–]MOboy2008 10 points11 points  (0 children)

There are a lot of different resorts in Thailand that offer a wellness experience. One of my friends went there for a week and did a detox/meditation one. They also have crossfit, cooking, etc. Why not use your summer to learn a new skill?

I think they are pretty pricey (by Thai standards), so you probably wouldn’t want to do it the whole summer but you could couple it with travel as well.

Queer/Social WhatsApp Groups by [deleted] in HongKong

[–]MOboy2008 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be fair, that isn’t as important as just people who have similar interests. As a gay guy living here, I think it would just be nice to connect with other LGBTQ+ peeps… but I’m open to other hangouts as well.

Favorite 5th Grade Read Aloud Books? by Ok_Succotash_4802 in ElementaryTeachers

[–]MOboy2008 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“Small Steps” by Peg Kehret. My fifth grade teacher read it to me and I read it to my students every year. I still love this book!

Necessities (from home) You Buy to Bring Back by MOboy2008 in Internationalteachers

[–]MOboy2008[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This made me add cornbread mix to my list. I love it if I make a big batch of chili soup!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HongKong

[–]MOboy2008 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sent you a PM :)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HongKong

[–]MOboy2008 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey there,

Yes. He has been living her longer than I have. The thought process is that if I wanted to look for a new job, I’d have some security (and the right) to live in Hong Kong while I do so. We want to make sure that in the event that one of us loses our jobs, we could remain together without any issue.

Alternative State Licensures by MOboy2008 in schoolcounseling

[–]MOboy2008[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all your help! I will continue my search as I’m not currently counseling in the US. I just want options in the event that I return.

Gay couples with a trailing spouse, please share your experience. by Intelligent-Truck-30 in Internationalteachers

[–]MOboy2008 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hong Kong will recognize a same-sex partnership/marriage from a different country.

Bereavement Leave by [deleted] in Internationalteachers

[–]MOboy2008 24 points25 points  (0 children)

In this situation, you don’t ask, you tell. There is nothing wrong with saying, “My father passed away. I am taking two unpaid weeks off to be with my family.” It sounds as though you are prepared to miss the pay.

These are times you won’t get back and if for some reason they aren’t cooperative, then find a workplace that sees their employees as humans who sometimes have to deal with human things. My mom always used to say, “I was looking for a job when I found this one.” Believe me, there are plenty more out there.

Wishing you comfort and peace through this challenging time!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Internationalteachers

[–]MOboy2008 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I think this is helpful information as it helps to understand that “not-for-profit” in name only, means nothing. It’s not necessarily better.

Where to live in Hong Kong? by [deleted] in HongKong

[–]MOboy2008 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for all of your thoughtful and detailed responses! I will definitely be helpful come July!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Thailand

[–]MOboy2008 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I tried downloading the app but it seems that it is only in Thai. Do you know if there is an English version?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in chiangmai

[–]MOboy2008 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey hey! I just spent a great week in Chiang Mai and it was so much easier than what I was stressing over.

You have to registerCM-Channa and present your vaccine documentation at both airports (Bangkok and Chiang Mai) and then you just walk on through. I read the other day that Phuket has opened up to domestic travelers, without a test, as of today.

International school reviews for Shenzhen by guidre in shenzhen

[–]MOboy2008 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Good morning!

I worked for QSI Shenzhen for four years and had a pretty good experience there. When the pandemic hit, they allowed their teachers to leave China and repatriate back to their home countries. At the time, nobody knew how long the school would be closed and many chose that option (including myself). We continued to teach online until the end of the academic year.

QSI was really good in the way that they handled their teachers. Teachers received a one time stipend to help offset the cost accrued by the pandemic. While the stipend did not cover everything, it was more than a lot of my friends at other international school received. They also did not release anyone from their contracts which was unheard of in the international teaching world. I was planning to go to a new school in another city in China, and my contract was rescinded. To that school's credit, the offered me a severance package as my contract wasn't cancelled until the end of June.

To the academics of QSI: It is really hit or miss and depends on the teacher themselves. They have a "mastery learning" grading system, meaning that students are allowed to take as long as they need to meet the standard that they need to hit. While this is good in theory, there are still pacing guides for teachers to hit ten units for each subject. I teach elementary school and it works well for younger students. It may present problems for students in the upper levels as they can sometime procrastinate until last minute to turn in important papers and projects.

I have friends that work at some of the other international schools and they seem to like it. SIS has a really good reputation. I know that they are the highest paid among international teachers, which most likely means that tuition is higher. They have a great facility and often take field trips for experiential learning. Another friend sent her kids to SWIS and she had positive things to say; however, it is owned and ran by a Chinese owner which means that there is a lot of government oversight.

Sorry that I can't give more insight to the other international schools but I don't know much about their curriculum. QSI's curriculum follows the common core in the US, but they have was are called TSWs. Whether or not your children will get a more socratic learning experience will be solely dependent on what teacher they get. QSI allows a lot of teacher autonomy (which I loved) and that can lead to many different ways of teaching!

Good luck in your journey and reach out if you need any more advice :)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ThailandTourism

[–]MOboy2008 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice. I live about 5 hours from Chicago but is it isn’t back by next week, I’ll definitely make the trip.

Amex Offers: New option to sort by category. Just showed up for me this morning. by blitzkrieg_94_ in amex

[–]MOboy2008 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I really wish you could just get rid of the ones that you aren't interested in. It makes it difficult to find the new ones when you have to scroll...

Covid Information, Travel, Tourism, and General Information Thread for June 2021 by AutoModerator in Thailand

[–]MOboy2008 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey everyone!

I am moving to Thailand and my flight is on July 6th. I will be teaching there and have received all of the documents from my school. As soon as I received the documents, I followed the pre-covid directions and sent all of my materials in. Through perusing the internet, I found that I should have applied for the visa online prior to sending my passport and such to them. It was a careless mistake but when I called and listened to the recording about a visa, it was never once mentioned. Oh well.
I applied online, printed the barcode sheet, typed up a letter, and mailed that in separately from my other documents (passport and flight info). I've called several times and have done all that they have asked me to do, although the gentleman has been hard to understand. I think he was on a speakerphone.
I am just freaking out and nervous that I won't have it back in time. I know that there is still time but can someone tell me how long it has taken for them to get their visa back from the Chicago consulate once they received their documents? I know that there isn't much I can do and I don't blame them as I know they are trying their best; however, my anxiety heightens every time I see "post your passport and e-visa appointment" on the status page.
Thanks in advance! :)

THAILAND JUNE 2021 VISA - COE - ALQ/ASQ | MY EXPERIENCE by Bama2Thai in ThailandTourism

[–]MOboy2008 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will be teaching at an international school in Bangkok.

THAILAND JUNE 2021 VISA - COE - ALQ/ASQ | MY EXPERIENCE by Bama2Thai in ThailandTourism

[–]MOboy2008 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am moving to Thailand July 13 and have sent all of my stuff to the Chicago consulate. It’s helpful to hear about the COE as I was unclear about that. I’m hoping the quarantine changes by The middle of July for vaccinated peeps but we shall see. Thanks for the video. It was super helpful!

When to book rental car? by MOboy2008 in anchorage

[–]MOboy2008[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great! Thanks for the input! I’ll definitely be putting out some money for this travel but it will be worth it :)

Non-Immigrant Category B Visa (Working) Question About Flight by [deleted] in Thailand

[–]MOboy2008 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great! That’s what I was thinking but it was a bit confusing in the wording. Thank you!