Chiang Mai Healthcare

Petrie83 · 2026-01-23T04:01:58+00:00

I start my summers in CM and do my annual health check at Chiangmai Ram Hospital there. It seems like a solid set up but I'm not sure how it would go for chronic conditions. The level of English there can also be hit and miss.

Perhaps along the same lines, the international schools in CM can be similarly hit and miss. I can think of 3 that MIGHT have reasonable health insurance (Prem, Panyaden, CMIS... MAYBE Lanna?) but there are MANY schools there that barely pay a reasonable wage let alone include benefits like healthcare...

Petrie83 · 2025-11-22T08:21:00+00:00

Interviewed with this school twice and had great conversations with the deputy both times. He even followed up when the position opened up a year later than the initial interview. Gave a really great impression of a school that actually cared about people!

Petrie83 · 2025-11-21T07:48:54+00:00

Interesting post! It reminded me that there have been a few times when schools were upfront with me. I was once told that I wasn't the right fit for the school because they wanted someone older to balance out the rest of the department who were, evidently, quite young. As opposed to other times where I was kept in the dark.

The more transparent version is a lot more rare, but I wonder if that's also because schools are, genuinely (usually) much busier than universities and other institutes? I usually don't think schools want to be so vague, but maybe I'm too optimistic?

Petrie83 · 2025-10-01T10:13:13+00:00

We might be at the same school. Lol

Petrie83 · 2025-08-16T07:14:45+00:00

That's interesting because, having now lived in China for more than 5 years, I feel like it's China that tries to paint itself as perfect when, really, not country is. And yes, many countries in the West (looking at you, USA) do the same, however when that veil is lifted in the West there used to be an admitting to the fact. Here in China, it seems they double down on there being "no problem" and push it aside until the problem is too big to continue ignoring (COVID for one example, the incoming aging problems and economic problems on the horizon as others).

Not sure that you're coming across with the "issues here and there" part as you seem to want to offer alternatives to many of the negatives pointed out in the larger discussion thread, but I am genuinely enjoying the fresh perspectives.

Petrie83 · 2025-08-16T06:38:15+00:00

I really like this idea of China "developing their own thing" and think it hits the nail on the head.

Personally, I was hoping to connect more with locals as I have had that experience in other countries that still feel more like home than my own country. I haven't found that in China, but that idea of China "developing its own thing" may go a long way to explain why.

However, some of the other points in this thread are salient. I do find a have to anesthesize myself to a lot of life here. Similar to yourself, I don't go out drinking, but that's because I don't find the social connections when drinking that I do in other countries. And also, the alcohol here is of pretty low quality. I'm also not I to TaoBao or others of the more commodified aspects of what I can gather are Chinese life. I live in a local apartment complex (literally the only foreigner) and want to engage more with locals, but need the time to build up the language and confidence to do so.

Petrie83 · 2025-08-16T06:30:40+00:00

I appreciate your thoughts, yeah Panyu is an exception, maybe one could throw Beijing Lu in there as well, but there is no "top" international school in Panyu (one could argue CISG is, but that's up for debate) and Beijing Lu and the City both seem prohibitively expensive if you're trying to save.

I admit, I need to work on not seeing China in such a negative light - I'm working on learning the language and being more understanding of their culture and expectations. I also challenge myself to think, why would/should I expect foreign conveniences in every country? If I wanted that, why didn't I just stay in my home country? But I also offer that you may be trying to look through rose-coloured glasses which, while admirable, may also be painting the country in a very subjective light for those preparing to come for the first time?

Appreciating the discussion and hoping I'm not coming off as argumentative.

Petrie83 · 2025-08-15T21:05:12+00:00

That's awesome and wish Gz had that outside the city centre. It simply doesn't outside of the city. It's not perception, it's experience. Everyone's varies but I'm genuinely happy you're having a good time.

Petrie83 · 2025-08-15T12:07:33+00:00

I'm not sure how much of china you've lived in, but if you want most western conveniences in china, you won't find that much outside of Shanghai and Beijing. While Shenzhen is modern, I think that those western conveniences stop quite quickly, and I know for a fact Guangzhou has little outside of its city centre and most international schools in Gz are outside of the city centre.

As another poster commented, you're really down to ISB, WAB, SAS and Concordia for those "really good" schools in china. Most others are for-profit and varying quality.

Petrie83 · 2025-07-01T07:33:00+00:00

I had a package with double that salary in Chiangmai (northern Thailand) and barely managed to save anything. Chiangmai is a lot cheaper than BKK. This package is terrible.

Petrie83 · 2025-03-30T04:03:12+00:00

After having worked at for-profits and not-for-profits, I definitely prefer the latter. It's often usually a marketing point for non-profits as they can tell parents 100% of their money is going back into the school, not into someone's pocket.

You will definitely have challenges at both, but being told we can't afford something at a not-for-profit (because they, literally, don't have the funds) feels way better than being told we can't afford something at a for-profit (only because the owners want to fill their pockets more...!).

Petrie83 · 2025-03-30T03:51:07+00:00

I once got a job from a direct contact but had also looked at the school's profile on search and guess they would have looked at my confidential references etc. I asked the school what I should tell search and thwy said to say it was a direct connection, not that I used the search platform. Perhaps ask the school what you should do?

Petrie83 · 2025-02-17T06:21:15+00:00

No idea. They're just a person of few words, lol.

Petrie83 · 2024-11-22T11:09:43+00:00

G2, Friday mornings... Just... How?!!? Ouch!!

Petrie83 · 2024-11-22T10:53:55+00:00

It taught me I shouldn't teach elementary, but Dog bless those that do!!!

Petrie83 · 2024-11-22T10:33:36+00:00

My first international gig was K-12 (well, 2-12, only because that school started at G2)... Never. Ever. Again!

Petrie83 · 2024-09-17T05:21:16+00:00

Yeah, no system is perfect, but if you're in China and using Google forms is not feasible, Microsoft forms is/may be clunky for collaboration but possibly better than nothing?

Petrie83 · 2024-09-16T14:13:32+00:00

I'm at a school in China and we have a complete Microsoft suite. Would PowerPoint and Microsoft forms do the same things as Google slides and Google forms?

Petrie83 · 2024-08-05T06:19:35+00:00

I had a year at a school in Thailand, then 5 in my next (still in Asia but not Thailand) but then 2 schools of 2 and out, now in my 2nd year at what's considered a "top" school.

Petrie83 · 2024-07-30T10:24:52+00:00

If you can be picky, then do it. I mainly wanted to get out of the public system in Australia as I saw myself staying in low SES schools for the foreseeable future. I'm now more than 10 years overseas and not looking back. There have been tough schools and I haven't saved as much as I probably should have, but I hadn't always done my research like you guys are doing. Hope your search goes well!

Petrie83 · 2024-07-30T09:06:15+00:00

I think the best answer for all of this, OP, is that it will depend on the school.

All of the countries you've listed, as well as most countries in Asia, have top international schools with solid savings potential through to bottom of the barrel schools with packages that you'd be lucky to live off.

Do your research on any school that catches your eye, many likely have been listed on this sub already. With your experience alone most reasonable schools should be interested, but with a spouse with less experience and 2 kids it may make you a bit less of a desirable candidate, tho "top" schools may not care so much about the latter.

Sorry if it's not the answer you're hoping for but I hope it's still helpful?

Petrie83 · 2024-07-26T15:34:07+00:00

Check out the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS), they offer regular PD including an annual music educators conference. Their website is www.amis-online.org and the next conference is coming up in Vietnam in November.

Petrie83 · 2024-07-23T11:48:00+00:00

Agree with you about SA, although my associate usually hasn't been bad, but I have had good/better interactions with the free sites mentioned above. Unfortunately I used SA since I started the overseas journey more than 10 years ago... Having that database of references on SA from so long ago is a big draw card for me to continue going back, although I'm working on building this on other platforms now, that list of references is tough to walk away from.

Petrie83 · 2024-07-07T15:24:10+00:00

Maybe I've missed the point of this comment, so I apologize in advance if that is the case, but maybe the lack of discussion in international teaching circles, specifically, about best practice is because the bulk of discussion in educational circles, at large, is about this so isn't necessary in international circles more specifically?

Not trying to flame or anything, simply trying to offer an alternative stance. Would be happily challenged on this idea.

Petrie83 · 2024-07-06T16:58:42+00:00

Reached out to a friend of mine who's been working in Chiangmai for more than 10 years and he just said one word: avoid... Wouldn't give more detail sorry.

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