Want to Teach in Western Europe

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Want to Teach in Western Europe

by Teacher

Mar 16, 2011

I'm a middle school math teacher, in my 40's, taught for 7 years, BS degree. My wife is a school nurse. We have a 10 year old. We want to experience Western Europe for 2 years and work to fund it. Not next school year, but the one after (2012-13).

We're not looking to start international careers, just a 2 year paid vacation/experience and a decent education for our child while we do it.

Is this at all possible? Will my child be able to attend at a reduced rate? Should I target specific countries for more likely success? Specific types of schools? Any advice?

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Dave -> Thomas Sorry about the delay, I'm on Koh Phangan in Thailand for spring break (the full moon party in Thailand) I'm using my leave as well. So for lack of a better term I'm not of sufficient mental capacity to render a reasonable opinion, comment or advice on your inquiry to the degree of depth needed to address your question. I will do so when I am back ...See MoreSorry about the delay, I'm on Koh Phangan in Thailand for spring break (the full moon party in Thailand) I'm using my leave as well. So for lack of a better term I'm not of sufficient mental capacity to render a reasonable opinion, comment or advice on your inquiry to the degree of depth needed to address your question. I will do so when I am back in Rome, and have a couple of brain cells to rub together.

To Thomas: "brain hurt bad" , wish I was married, have fallen in love I dont know how many times. Liver and kidneys are on strike, if I should die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul, aw screw it I'm dammed to whatever hell they relegate those like me who leave this existence in my state of inebriation.

On 3/19/11, D. Thomas wrote: > Most/many will want a two year commitment as it costs them a lot of > money to bring teachers in. There are schools out there that only > require/want a one year commitment at a time. > > On 3/19/11, MI wrote: >> >> Most international schools require a minimum commitment of 2 >> years, right? >> >> >> >> >> On 3/16/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>> Yes, it's possible. Western Europe is pricey and schools do >>> not have to offer large packages and extra benefits to >>> attract teachers but anything is possible. I'm sure others >>> will chime in on this. >>> >>> On the plus side: Math is a high need area. Reasonable amount >>> of experience. Only one child. Ready to commit to 2 years. >>> >>> Negatives: No Masters. Wife may have a hard time finding a >>> job in a school (schools will probably hire locals, if they >>> have a nurse). School may or may not pay for flights for >>> dependents, will probably offer free tuition but may make you >>> pay for part of it. >>> >>> Bottom line, if a school really needs/wants you, they will >>> make it work. I can't really offer much by way of countries. >>> I have traveled through Europe and enjoyed it all but have >>> only lived/taught in Egypt, Japan and now China. Germany >>> seems to have an abundance of international schools. Do a >>> search and start tracking schools and positions. Our man in >>> Rome will be responding soon as well, I'm sure. >>> >>>

Mar 20, 2011

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D. Thomas I did wonder that you weren't chomping at the bit to answer a Europe question. I answered and tried to take off my rose colored glasses for a change.

Well, I don't want to upset the censors so I won't ask you about your adventures in Thailand, but you'll have to let me know if Koh Phangan has anything to offer old married guys and their f...See MoreI did wonder that you weren't chomping at the bit to answer a Europe question. I answered and tried to take off my rose colored glasses for a change.

Well, I don't want to upset the censors so I won't ask you about your adventures in Thailand, but you'll have to let me know if Koh Phangan has anything to offer old married guys and their families.

Hey, I thought your Italian interest was against you going to Thailand for Spring Break?

On 3/20/11, Dave -> Thomas wrote: > Sorry about the delay, I'm on Koh Phangan in Thailand for spring break > (the full moon party in Thailand) I'm using my leave as well. So for > lack of a better term I'm not of sufficient mental capacity to render a > reasonable opinion, comment or advice on your inquiry to the degree of > depth needed to address your question. I will do so when I am back in > Rome, and have a couple of brain cells to rub together. > > To Thomas: "brain hurt bad" , wish I was married, have fallen in love I > dont know how many times. Liver and kidneys are on strike, if I should > die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul, aw screw it I'm dammed to > whatever hell they relegate those like me who leave this existence in > my state of inebriation. > > > > > On 3/19/11, D. Thomas wrote: >> Most/many will want a two year commitment as it costs them a lot of >> money to bring teachers in. There are schools out there that only >> require/want a one year commitment at a time. >> >> On 3/19/11, MI wrote: >>> >>> Most international schools require a minimum commitment of 2 >>> years, right? >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 3/16/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>>> Yes, it's possible. Western Europe is pricey and schools do >>>> not have to offer large packages and extra benefits to >>>> attract teachers but anything is possible. I'm sure others >>>> will chime in on this. >>>> >>>> On the plus side: Math is a high need area. Reasonable amount >>>> of experience. Only one child. Ready to commit to 2 years. >>>> >>>> Negatives: No Masters. Wife may have a hard time finding a >>>> job in a school (schools will probably hire locals, if they >>>> have a nurse). School may or may not pay for flights for >>>> dependents, will probably offer free tuition but may make you >>>> pay for part of it. >>>> >>>> Bottom line, if a school really needs/wants you, they will >>>> make it work. I can't really offer much by way of countries. >>>> I have traveled through Europe and enjoyed it all but have >>>> only lived/taught in Egypt, Japan and now China. Germany >>>> seems to have an abundance of international schools. Do a >>>> search and start tracking schools and positions. Our man in >>>> Rome will be responding soon as well, I'm sure. >>>> >>>>

Mar 20, 2011

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Dave -> Thomas I'm about to answer the original poster now. I didnt realize i didnt get to it.

Actually Koh Phangan when its not a full moon weekend is a very relaxing place to be, if you want to just eat good fresh sea food, lay on the beach or a hammock, frolic on the beach, commune with nature type of place. We spent a couple days leading up to the p...See MoreI'm about to answer the original poster now. I didnt realize i didnt get to it.

Actually Koh Phangan when its not a full moon weekend is a very relaxing place to be, if you want to just eat good fresh sea food, lay on the beach or a hammock, frolic on the beach, commune with nature type of place. We spent a couple days leading up to the party doing just that.

Yes, Amelia is/was against it, but since we broke up I didnt think her opinion had much weight anymore. I dont understand woman, I just dont.

On 3/20/11, D. Thomas wrote: > I did wonder that you weren't chomping at the bit to answer a Europe > question. I answered and tried to take off my rose colored glasses for a > change. > > Well, I don't want to upset the censors so I won't ask you about your > adventures in Thailand, but you'll have to let me know if Koh Phangan has > anything to offer old married guys and their families. > > Hey, I thought your Italian interest was against you going to Thailand > for Spring Break? > > On 3/20/11, Dave -> Thomas wrote: >> Sorry about the delay, I'm on Koh Phangan in Thailand for spring break >> (the full moon party in Thailand) I'm using my leave as well. So for >> lack of a better term I'm not of sufficient mental capacity to render a >> reasonable opinion, comment or advice on your inquiry to the degree of >> depth needed to address your question. I will do so when I am back in >> Rome, and have a couple of brain cells to rub together. >> >> To Thomas: "brain hurt bad" , wish I was married, have fallen in love I >> dont know how many times. Liver and kidneys are on strike, if I should >> die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul, aw screw it I'm dammed to >> whatever hell they relegate those like me who leave this existence in >> my state of inebriation. >> >> >> >> >> On 3/19/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>> Most/many will want a two year commitment as it costs them a lot of >>> money to bring teachers in. There are schools out there that only >>> require/want a one year commitment at a time. >>> >>> On 3/19/11, MI wrote: >>>> >>>> Most international schools require a minimum commitment of 2 >>>> years, right? >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 3/16/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>>>> Yes, it's possible. Western Europe is pricey and schools do >>>>> not have to offer large packages and extra benefits to >>>>> attract teachers but anything is possible. I'm sure others >>>>> will chime in on this. >>>>> >>>>> On the plus side: Math is a high need area. Reasonable amount >>>>> of experience. Only one child. Ready to commit to 2 years. >>>>> >>>>> Negatives: No Masters. Wife may have a hard time finding a >>>>> job in a school (schools will probably hire locals, if they >>>>> have a nurse). School may or may not pay for flights for >>>>> dependents, will probably offer free tuition but may make you >>>>> pay for part of it. >>>>> >>>>> Bottom line, if a school really needs/wants you, they will >>>>> make it work. I can't really offer much by way of countries. >>>>> I have traveled through Europe and enjoyed it all but have >>>>> only lived/taught in Egypt, Japan and now China. Germany >>>>> seems to have an abundance of international schools. Do a >>>>> search and start tracking schools and positions. Our man in >>>>> Rome will be responding soon as well, I'm sure. >>>>> >>>>>

Mar 26, 2011

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Dave -> MI They require a two year commitment, but its not a two year contract. Basically, It's one year with THEIR option to renew.

On 3/19/11, MI wrote: > > Most international schools require a minimum commitment of 2 > years, right? > > > > > On 3/16/11, D. Thomas wrote: >> Yes, it's possible. Western Europe is price...See More

Mar 26, 2011

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Dave -> Teacher Sorry for the long wait, I didnt realize I didn't respond to your post. I live in Rome/Italy. Let me address some of the questions you asked.

First, its good your starting now for 2012/2013 because its pretty late for this coming year, which is good for you becuase it gives you some lead time.

Second, my biggest issue is that yo...See MoreSorry for the long wait, I didnt realize I didn't respond to your post. I live in Rome/Italy. Let me address some of the questions you asked.

First, its good your starting now for 2012/2013 because its pretty late for this coming year, which is good for you becuase it gives you some lead time.

Second, my biggest issue is that you referred to what your looking for as a "working vacation". I'm sorry but thats really a myth, I'm sure Thomas will back this up. The truth is when your working at a school anywhere the job comes first. Its not really feasible to have much of a vacation. You wake up in the morning and your at school to about 4pm 5 days a week. You will get a lot of exposure to the city your based in, but there really isnt a lot of time to travel. You can do a couple weekend trips close by if your are very organized, and there are holiday breaks but those are also the most expensive times to travel. You also will have to really bring money in the form of savings with you, because you dont get to save very much in europe.

Third, as I said money will be an issue for you I know it will. The reason being that schools in Europe dont offer the lavish packages you get in Asia, and the middle east.

A typical package includes your salary, a one time relocation stipend, an insurance package, and tuition. The good news is the school will give you free tuition and fees for your child. They will pay for your health insurance (which is very good), and will allow you to pay the highly subsidized rate for your dependents (about 200 Euro for the whole family). The relocation stipend varies (but is usually about one months salary) mine was 3000 euro, you can use it for anything you want. You can buy airline tickets for your whole family, or use it for your apartment deposit, rent, and utilities. Salaries vary Mine is about 2800 a month but with only a B.A yours would be 2500 a month (according to our schedule). You only get seniority credit for years earned at the school, not those you bring with you.

As you can see your responsible for your own expenses, and thats the biggest cost, is that housing is so expensive. When I moved here I was staying in temporary housing the school paid for for 10 days but took me the rest of the semester to find an apartment. As a result my rent was 1540 a month, which was more then half my salary (now Im living in an apartment thats 970 a month). A two bedroom furnished apartment here will easily run you between 1500 - 2000 a month, depending on the area and city your in, but capitol cities tend to be in the same price range. I may be going to Paris next year, and looking into the costs they will be about the same.

Fourth, your wife will be unemployed. Sorry thats the breaks, she wouldnt be licensed to practice in Europe, and she wouldnt speak the language. We have a music teacher at our school who is almost the same as you, and he's miserable. His wife is bored out of her mind, since she has nothing to do all day, and there are only so many times you can see the colliseum, the vatican, and have quaint little cafe lunches on a limited budget. They dont get to travel because they only save a couple hundred euro a month, and she basically cant work. There daughter loves it though, and shes picked up italian very well (she's 8).

Hope that helps. Ask any follow questions you want.

On 3/16/11, Teacher wrote: > I'm a middle school math teacher, in my 40's, taught for 7 > years, BS degree. My wife is a school nurse. We have a 10 > year old. We want to experience Western Europe for 2 years > and work to fund it. Not next school year, but the one > after (2012-13). > > We're not looking to start international careers, just a 2 > year paid vacation/experience and a decent education for > our child while we do it. > > Is this at all possible? > Will my child be able to attend at a reduced rate? > Should I target specific countries for more likely success? > Specific types of schools? > Any advice?

Mar 26, 2011

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