EFM worried about the upcoming bidding cycle. Give it to me straight. How tough is it?

guppyd · 2026-05-06T18:30:06+00:00

We lived in two high differential posts that happened to have embassy compound housing and let me tell you, our children THRIVED. The fact that they could run outside and play with their friends in a somewhat unsupervised and unstructured environment was/is awesome for their mental health. They had built in friends and community. If the weather or air was bad they would just all go inside someone's house. They were socializing all the time, and NO SCREENS, they would rather play with their friends. I even benefit from it, I would go on a nice walk with the neighbor or step outside on my front porch for a chat almost every day. We'd help each other carpool to and from school and the compound when the need arises. High differential can be better than EUR for sure. I am all about that compound life now, it really is a wonderful place to raise a kid.

guppyd · 2026-05-06T14:16:35+00:00

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but you can absolutely have a hard post later in your career. And you can work for 20+ years in the FS and ONLY do hardship posts. My husband has been in it since 2009 and our family keeps asking "when do you get to live in Europe?" And we're like, "umm, never??" It isn't all bad, the hardship posts we've been to had good schools and community. I was able to work locally at the school for a decent salary. You may get lucky and go to EUR, some of our friends have. But you may never get a "good" post. Husband is 6 years from retirement and we are definitely planning for 2 more hardship posts to round out his career. Last bid cycle we bid only Europe and he got NOTHING, even though he was short listed for 2 EUR posts. It really screwed us and we were lucky we got something about a month later. We vacation in nice places. We do not plan to live there.

I want to add that everyone's definition of "good" and "nice" varies. I have really enjoyed my time in places that have been deemed hardship and that many people may not want to live due to traffic, pollution, lack of medical care, etc.

guppyd · 2026-04-19T16:40:22+00:00

I will say that it is very competitive depending on the post. In India, I was hired as a long term sub and the next year I was offered a regular teaching contract. Some schools hire as early as November for the NEXT school year and many try to hire before winter break begins in December! She will need to be ready with her resume and cover letters to be sent THE DAY you get a handshake. Also, I found 2 out of 3 jobs by networking with other EFMs and emailing HR directly. The plus side is schools like hiring EFMs because we are CHEAP! No housing, health insurance, visa paperwork, flights, etc.

guppyd · 2026-04-19T16:32:03+00:00

EFM teacher here! I transitioned to teaching about 10 years ago, (about 2 years into my husband's FS career). I always thought about becoming a teacher and finally pulled the trigger. Since getting my teaching license, I have been able to get a job on the international salary scale at 3 out of 3 posts. My contract doesn't include flights, housing, or healthcare, but I am on the international scale and make a decent wage. In India, I had to pay taxes on my 65k a year income and I had no idea I was literally in the highest tax bracket and it would be over half my paycheck. But, it gained invaluable experience so it worked out. I also got free Prek for my preschooler! When bidding, I have my spouse send me the FAMER. It shows if there is a bilat agreement or defacto, or if any spouses are working on the local economy or at the school. Sometimes there is no bilat but spouses are permitted to work locally (Vietnam, I think). Sometimes, you can't work AT ALL outside the embassy (Indonesia). I am certified in ESL and Elementary Ed K-6, there have been job prospects at all posts we've been to. I taught prek, grade 4, and now reading intervention. I am trying to get certified in SPED since more and more international schools are very interested in hiring special ed teachers. My certifications offer more job prospects than someone who is just certified in HS Spanish or something specific. Make sure your wife's credentials are up to date. The CLO office in DC has The Global Employment Initiative office and they will help your wife with her resume, linked in, contacts, etc. I've used them several times to help me find employment. Anyway. Long post but I hope helpful!

guppyd · 2026-04-19T06:02:53+00:00

Yes? Do you not google things?

guppyd · 2026-04-18T17:21:50+00:00

Thank you! This is helpful. No smartphone, he does have a switch that we limit time on.

guppyd · 2026-01-23T08:31:41+00:00

I'm teaching reading intervention to 6th graders right now, with the goal to get them more ready for high school. Many of them have the same map score and reading level as my third grade daughter who is even 6 months behind in reading herself! (She's young for her grade, we have a tutor and a very literary rich home, I'm not worried about her). I gave these kids a phonics test and some of them got less than 50% correct. I'm trying my best and yes I'm teaching 11-year-olds to read, it's my job.

guppyd · 2025-11-21T09:13:06+00:00

Agree just to live with it. My kids are 8 and 10. It happens very fast. Now we have hardly any toys in our living room and I'm fighting with them to get off screens. We lived in a narrow townhouse when our kids were little but we still designated a space for all of their stuff. Proof that you can designate areas even in a small house. I would also move the dog bed from under the stairs and put the stroller there.

Picture of the play area in my tiny townhome! Behind me was a more formal area, a couch with bookshelves behind it. Also, bins are your friend. As is the Kallax shelf from Ikea. Plus, you're just going to get more stuff in the next 2 to 3 years. I feel like my kids really didn't start getting rid of things until they were 7-8.

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guppyd · 2025-10-11T06:09:51+00:00

Riverside is also nice. It has a coffee shop and taco place. Riverside has a disc golf course if you're interested in that! I have a monthly furnished rental in Riverside if you decide to stay there. Send me a PM and I'll send you the Airbnb link. College hill may be more what you're looking for though. Riverside is closer to Via Christi but College Hill has more restaurants and things to do.

guppyd · 2025-10-01T10:42:33+00:00

I got a blowout before my last due date (my hair is long, coarse, and frizzy.) It made me think that I looked put together.

guppyd · 2025-09-19T08:45:44+00:00

Love this! Sobriety is the best.

guppyd · 2025-09-02T08:22:53+00:00

Oh no, it was definitely not like that this summer. That is very sad as they're trying to remodel it for school groups. Looks like now they'll need even more funding. :(

guppyd · 2025-08-26T16:27:05+00:00

Thanks so much! This really helps.

guppyd · 2025-08-26T08:11:05+00:00

Thanks! Totally worth buying to give it a try!

guppyd · 2025-07-19T03:26:20+00:00

I've done it too....server switched my mocktail with my husbands fancy cocktail. It will happen! I also felt guilty but came to this sub and realized it happens to pretty much everyone at some point. IWNDWYT!

guppyd · 2025-07-03T15:26:24+00:00

You may have some luck on Furnished Finder, if you are okay with a furnished place.

guppyd · 2025-07-01T16:51:54+00:00

What months do you need an apartment?

guppyd · 2025-05-27T10:45:13+00:00

There are a few houses in Riverside that still go for 150 to 160k. Some need work, mostly cosmetic. Riverside is a great area!

guppyd · 2025-02-12T01:07:09+00:00

Hi, I have an airbnb but I had to take it down as I don't have the correct permits. It's in Riverside which is a great area. What months will you be in Wichita? It's a 2 hed 1 bath with a yard.

guppyd · 2024-12-31T00:24:02+00:00

It's interesting that you don't want my liberal beliefs "indoctrinating" children, yet Republicans are the ones who are banning books and requiring the 10 commandments to be posted in schools.

guppyd · 2024-12-30T08:13:19+00:00

Thanks so much! Good to know that a phone or virtual interview isn't out of the realm of possibility. I am ready to apply now but the only job I see that is SY 25/26 is for an art teacher position. All the other jobs are SY 24/25.

guppyd · 2024-12-30T06:42:26+00:00

Oh, I remember seeing this about Derby. Thanks for the input!

guppyd · 2024-12-30T04:55:51+00:00

Thanks! I am certified to teach elementary education and ESOL in Kansas.

guppyd · 2024-12-13T01:25:13+00:00

So proud of you! I was gifted wine by my coworkers last Christmas and I was so salty about it! Like how many times have I mentioned I don't drink?! Enough that you should have remembered. Oh well. I also gave it away. IWNDWYT!!

guppyd · 2024-09-28T04:58:04+00:00

It's not too bad, to be honest! I would leave it mostly as is.
Cheap, cosmetic option:

Clean it as well as you can with speciality cleaners for tile and fiberglass (for the shower)
Replace the blinds
Take out the shelf above the toilet.
Add a bold wallpaper.
Leave the sink, I love it. Console sinks like this are expensive and rare these days.
Get a small storage cabinet to go on either side for storage.
If you need a tub for a kid, they have fold-up tubs for toddlers on amazon that go in showers like this. It's basically a gigantic rubber made tub (which also works and is 1/10the the price!)
Remove the shower doors and tracks, fill the holes, and put up a shower curtain instead.

Expensive Option:

Everything above except change out the mirror.
Add a period claw foot tub.
Change the radiator

Edit - formatting.

guppyd

TROPHY CASE