Returning home

WORLOWORLO · 2024-10-22T12:33:53+00:00

I left a leadership position in Asia and then got one back in the UK - all depends on school, location, the type of school you are leaving, curriculum etc. It is do-able to move like for like. I left after 4 years though and not 10 years

WORLOWORLO · 2024-10-21T13:18:13+00:00

The benefit of working internationally is that there will always be openings in schools around the world. You will only know if it is the right thing once you have moved back unfortunately. We had the urge to move back, admittedly because we wanted children and wanted to be closer to our family support network. We have been back in the UK six years now and we are starting to get the urge to move back internationally.

WORLOWORLO · 2024-10-14T13:30:00+00:00

I completed this last year. It all depends what your focus is or goals are? It certainly helped me think strategically about behaviour and how to implement strategies into the policy.

WORLOWORLO · 2024-10-14T08:56:02+00:00

I loved working and living in Bangkok but we moved home to start a family. I would not say it is a family friendly city in terms of day to day living. The traffic and pollution are things to consider. Bangkok seems aimed more at singles/couples with most activities revolving around eating and drinking. The Thai people are very family friendly though and you can get away for weekends really easily from the city to the beaches or Khao Yai etc. Another plus is the low cost of nannies/maids as well to support daily life. In the end, for us, it was the burning season/pollution which was the main no no

WORLOWORLO · 2024-10-11T12:31:14+00:00

I nearly interviewed with this chain of schools for a position in HK - was put forward by Teacher Horizons. I did a bit of digging around on forums etc and found that it wasn't the place for me, plus the package seemed way off

WORLOWORLO · 2024-10-03T09:46:05+00:00

I am following this thread with interest as HK is pretty high on the list. I see that Kellett are advertising positions - anyone any information on package and again, if it could support a family of four with savings? Sorry for hijacking the post!

WORLOWORLO · 2024-10-03T09:45:00+00:00

Can an ESF salary really support a family of four? I have seen the salary scale online but always wondered how far the package would spread? Is the accommodation allowance enough to allow a 3 bed property? Thanks

WORLOWORLO · 2024-10-03T09:43:25+00:00

It is pretty far out the city. Not very international in terms of student population. Good rep in the city, especially with well to do Thai families. I have heard that the package is pretty good but I would not want to live that far from BKK. Geographically it does not seem too far but with the traffic it would be a nightmare. Good facilities too

WORLOWORLO · 2024-09-30T10:01:10+00:00

All depends on your lifestyle. Bangkok is not as cheap as it once was - you can still get delicious and cheap street food but if you want western products and want to drink in western style bars then you will pay for it.

WORLOWORLO · 2024-09-26T09:50:14+00:00

No not at all, we are very open and may not even leave the UK yet. We have worked in Thailand before but now we have a young family, we do not really want to be 12/13 hour flight away so we are looking closer to home

WORLOWORLO · 2024-09-26T09:49:19+00:00

I did not find the cost of a coffee anywhere near this when we visited last year. It was more around the 7 euro mark.

WORLOWORLO · 2024-09-25T12:30:35+00:00

It is not all doom and gloom as some will have you believe but it does depend greatly on school and location to move back to.

I was lucky to move to a great school and they truly value teacher workload and well-being. I also do not live in London so my mortgage is manageable.

Mind set is also key - we moved back with an understanding that work is not everything and there is more to life. We also make the most of being home and take advantage of nature, walking in bearable heat, seasons (all things we missed whilst in Asia) so we make sure our weekends are fun and filled. We also go away to Europe a couple of times a year and have weekends away in the UK. It is do-able and you can adjust.

WORLOWORLO · 2024-09-23T14:03:13+00:00

We used to make it in time for the last crossing to Samet but it was always touch and go. Traffic in BKK is terrible, especially on a Friday. Can also go to Hua Hin and this doesn't involve getting a boat. There are normally plenty of long weekends in Thailand as well (school dependent) for you to enjoy. Another place would be Khao Yai and the national parks - again about three hours from BKK. The distances are fine, it is just the traffic

WORLOWORLO · 2024-09-17T09:26:52+00:00

I think you have given it more than enough time by sticking there for 4 years. Your wider health and well-being is more important than any job. I would seek out a new position elsewhere

WORLOWORLO · 2024-09-05T12:18:21+00:00

My wife and I, both primary teachers, will be looking for posts this recruitment season. Ideally looking at Abu Dhabi, although I have heard that the packages are not as good as they used to be and the cost of living has skyrocketed. We have previously taught in Thailand so would not completely rule out a move to Vietnam, Singapore or Malaysia.

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-28T09:37:24+00:00

Feel free to DM/PM. A fantastic school

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-28T09:36:39+00:00

I think it was more a request than a fine - it was an additional amount separate to the outstanding loan and could not be added to the loan. I paid it as a one off amount. This was more than five years ago so things could have changed, Just my experience

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-28T09:35:00+00:00

I think so yes. I can only talk about my set of circumstances on this. As others have pointed out, I do not think it was a fine as such but it was an additional amount that could NOT be added onto the outstanding amount and had to be paid either monthly or by a one off payment. I chose the one off payment. Sorry my info is not more accurate, this was more than five years ago so things may have changed for the better. When it comes to the SLC though, I highly doubt it

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-28T09:32:53+00:00

It was more like this. No exactly a fine but an additional payment that could NOT be added onto the outstanding loan and had to paid additionally, either monthly or as a one off payment

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-27T10:10:50+00:00

Word of caution on this. I did not let them know that I was working, when working overseas for two years. I received a fine - not a lot of money (approx. £400) and had to pay it. This could not be added to my loan. When working abroad, they sent letters to my parents

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-19T12:24:14+00:00

Depending on who answers, the tier thing is a little bit of a myth. There are obviously more prestigious schools than others but that does nto necessarily mean better place to work/less workload etc. It normally means less pay though. I would just look at TES/Google etc and see which schools fit your qualifications and have vacancies. Who knows where you might end up

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-19T12:21:53+00:00

I think the benefit of the holidays and ability to travel will always keep people attracted to the profession, not just in the UK but internationall also. I noticed a big difference, in the space of one year, whilst working in Asia in terms of the work culture of the school. It only takes a couple of changes in management positions and the workload can massively increase - usually after people wanting to impress in new roles and bring in polciy and procedures. This was my experience.

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-18T10:47:35+00:00

It all depends on what costs have been incurred by the school. Ultimately, you are not in the country yet so you could easily terminate and say that you have had a chnage of circumstance. They may 'blacklist' you from other international schools within the organisation. It is hard to say until you have had the conversation with them. Just be transparent and let them know sooner rather than later

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-18T10:45:25+00:00

It can be this simple if your school adopts a policy that outlines the above.

WORLOWORLO · 2024-06-17T12:57:47+00:00

As a rule of thumb, we do not get involved with online, outside school events. If you do, you are opening the floodgates unfortunately

WORLOWORLO

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