Would love any insights, advice and helpful explanations on obtaining housing on or off post (preferably on post). Trying to prepare for our move to Korea and want to be up to speed as much as possible. If there is anything I can do before shipping out to reduce the stress all the better.
bondoIndyGuy...Our landlord near Osan provided a TV and all other appliances. Hopefully the installations will go smoother than ours...they installed a dishwasher but forgot to attach water:) Main thing is getting as comfortable as possible. Decide on apartment or house...they do have single family housing units and tons of apartments. Not sure how many...See MoreIndyGuy...Our landlord near Osan provided a TV and all other appliances. Hopefully the installations will go smoother than ours...they installed a dishwasher but forgot to attach water:) Main thing is getting as comfortable as possible. Decide on apartment or house...they do have single family housing units and tons of apartments. Not sure how many years they are giving you credit for but your LQA is going to be quite high. Landlords will want you...well, your money. Ask around the base as there is always someone that is willing and able to assist. We had an angel help us...she met us when we got there, took us around, helped set us up with an agent...if you are at Osan, I can give you the agent you should deal with...she was so good to us and her family was crazy about our sons. We are not very demanding and only found out after the fact that we could have requested so much more. Example, I went out and bought a TV when all I had to do was ask for one. Getting a car is another adventure that I can provide input on if you choose. If you don't want one, getting in the apartments near the base is essential. Can also provide insights on those fun mornings when you get to your entrance and they have it locked down...forces you to take the long way:) Little things that you've never heard of can either really bug you or take them as a wonderful adventure. Anyone who has an issue with the U.S. has never lived outside the U.S. We are so Blessed and spoiled. Be flexible...our time did not turn out as I had hoped but I wouldn't trade the adventure for anything. Please let me know if you have other questions. You are probably only a couple of weeks out from getting your orders!!!
bondoIndyGuy...Our landlord near Osan provided a TV and all other appliances. Hopefully the installations will go smoother than ours...they installed a dishwasher but forgot to attach water:) Main thing is getting as comfortable as possible. Decide on apartment or house...they do have single family housing units and tons of apartments. Not sure how many...See MoreIndyGuy...Our landlord near Osan provided a TV and all other appliances. Hopefully the installations will go smoother than ours...they installed a dishwasher but forgot to attach water:) Main thing is getting as comfortable as possible. Decide on apartment or house...they do have single family housing units and tons of apartments. Not sure how many years they are giving you credit for but your LQA is going to be quite high. Landlords will want you...well, your money. Ask around the base as there is always someone that is willing and able to assist. We had an angel help us...she met us when we got there, took us around, helped set us up with an agent...if you are at Osan, I can give you the agent you should deal with...she was so good to us and her family was crazy about our sons. We are not very demanding and only found out after the fact that we could have requested so much more. Example, I went out and bought a TV when all I had to do was ask for one. Getting a car is another adventure that I can provide input on if you choose. If you don't want one, getting in the apartments near the base is essential. Can also provide insights on those fun mornings when you get to your entrance and they have it locked down...forces you to take the long way:) Little things that you've never heard of can either really bug you or take them as a wonderful adventure. Anyone who has an issue with the U.S. has never lived outside the U.S. We are so Blessed and spoiled. Be flexible...our time did not turn out as I had hoped but I wouldn't trade the adventure for anything. Please let me know if you have other questions. You are probably only a couple of weeks out from getting your orders!!!
One way I've thought of doing this is by wearing fun/silly socks each day instead of my usual black ones. A SPED teacher at one of my old schools did it and it became a thing among both staff and students to see what crazy or silly socks he was wearing that day.
I know it's not going to make a huge impact, but it feels like it could be a good first step towards showing a lighter side to me and show my students that I'm a human with interests and personality too.
I am also curious how I can go about applying for a pay advance in this position. Am I entitled to it, or is that only for permanent overseas employees?
If anyone also has experience trying to apply for secondary dependency for a family member (a parent) please let me know. Thank you!
Bee92Actually, just got information that I will NOT have the option to apply for a pay advance. xD But the other two parts of my question I would like additional clarification on. Thank you!
I have just been offered a teaching position with DoDEA overseas. I have 17 years of verifiable teaching and a Masters Degree. How can I find out how much I will start off being paid for my 1st year with DoDEA? Just the base salary. I have found the COLA and LQA allowances.
https://...See MoreIt's a tax-free addition to your pay. It varies wildly by location and time (depending on cost of living, currency exchange rates, etc.). Ours tripled up to $840 per pay period before dropping down to $500+.
It's listed as a percentage by location, but makes more sense when you use the calculator (if you haven't already):
Hello, I am trying to understand how RAT works. If I do not start the job at the beginning of the year does that mean that year does not count towards the two year RAT allowance?
hahaYes, there are a certain number of school days you need be present and on duty for that year to count towards RAT. I forget the exact rule but it's something like 170/175 days as I recall.
Thanks ...See MoreMy daughter and son in law are planning on moving to Germany in the next year. I have been in education for 29 years and have actually taught with DoDEA many years ago. However, I am currently an educational diagnostician for special education. Does anyone know how active recruitment is for the assessor 0415 position is for DoDEA?
Getting hired for any position is a long shot these days. It gets even longer if you try to target a certain country/location. But, complete/update your EAS and see what happens. You never know!
By relation: I applied and was qualified for four positions on June 9th. I haven't heard a peep about the next step in the process. Should I ask if my application is online and visible? I know they hire over the summer, but nothing has come into my Inbox, spam or otherwise, about the remainder of the process. I wanted to ask if I could get a background check done and have it sent to DoDEA head office to speed along the process. Is there anything I /should/ be doing? I'm just feel like I'm passing over so many other opportunities for the fall and staring down the silence that is this job application process. I really want to be a teacher with DoDEA, so I'm 100% prioritizing this process. It's just gonna be a real kick in the teeth if August 31st rolls around and I haven't lined anything up for September because I'm been holding out for this.
Once your EAS is finalized, there really is not much in the way of communication from HR's end unless there is an issue with your application (and often not even then) unless you are referred for an open position, a principal looks at your application for an interview list, etc.
There isn't much that you can do to jump start the process in the short term. Background checks don't generally come into play unless you interview and are offered a position. It wouldn't hurt to try have someone at HR check your file and make sure it is active and complete and that your contact information is correct.
It doesn't help your peace of mind right now, but for the longer term you can maximize your chances of making referral lists and getting interviews by maximizing your areas of possible qualification, if you have not already.
Basically, one man's trash is another man's treasure, so for every hardship position there are may people who like it/love it there, or at are least fine with it to get there foot in the door.
Basically, one man's trash is another man's treasure, so for every hardship position there are may people who like it/love it there, or at are least fine with it to get there foot in the door.
I am in Japan and looking at hard to fill positions like Turkey, Bahrain etc. Is it possible to get LQA if I get a position there and will they pay for the move?
2catsHi. How/where do you get a list of hard to fill worldwide positions? I know that in Japan they sent out an internal list of vacancies for intradistict positions, which were move yourself positions.
If you a...See MoreIt depends. Are you currently a DoDEA overseas teacher in Japan? If yes, then it is possible, although many open positions are being filled internally with teachers agreeing to pay for their own move. You would still keep LQA if you already have that benefit. If not, you may qualified for it if they want/need someone badly enough.
If you are not currently a DoDEA overseas teacher, then you would probably not qualified for LQA if you were hired while living in Japan. But, they would likely pay for the move.
As always, there are also other unique situations that could lead to other answers/options. Good luck!