juxtaposed

should I?

shouldnt I?

THAT is the question...

horror stories, complaints,regrets in opposition with people who speak as if they have no plans on returning to the previous dwelling place.

What to believe? Are the kids hellians or little angels? Is the classroom fully stocked or bare?Will you have admin support, admin indifference,or admin from Hades?

Sadly, noone can answer this question and not because of "a lack of freedom of speech". Its because everything-in every country-is subjective. And because if one is going to pack up and live in another country for a couple years, this would be one of the more difficult places to do so as you are used to life thats quite different from being here.

I can agree 100% with some of the posters of TA/FB. "if the idea of teaching in an inner city school doesnt suite your fancy, steer clear of here". And thats not to compare the two because nothing really compares to this place but there are some similarities (even if they are for completely different reasons).

There are some veteran teachers that dont stay as well as new teachers who perform wonderfully. Some would do well in kg and others would need a higher grade (again,for different reasons). Im some cases, a simple transfer would solve many problems. In other cases, a thousand transfers wouldnt solve the problem.

Know why you are coming.

• Make plans:and stick to them as much as possible.
• Have goals-realistic ones-for yourself personally and professionally.
• HAVE FUN-but not so much that you have nothing to show for this sacrifice of leaving everything you know and love (or like).
• have patience-and know that even if you are washing clothes in a tub for a month (some of last years group experienced that), its only temporary and some do it for a lifetime. Youll be in an apartment soon enough and wont be paying rent and around $10 US for your light bill. In fact, some will even opt for dry cleaning service who will pick up and deliver your freshly folded clothes back to your place with a smile.
• realize that in every country there are people at the top and the bottom. maybe you didnt see them where you lived-but maybe you never crossed the railroad tracks. read a little and youll see that in their home country, very similar practices are happening.And thats not to say that you shouldnt have empathy for them but since the beginning of time, its been this way. Nothing is stopping you from tipping a little extra for a particular service or giving 20dhm to a worker you see on the street just because.

Lastly (for today), know that some things take time-lots of time. Today is the 6th time theyve come to fix my AC. each time a different person. Today I went up and down floors to have them come back because they cleaned something out but it still felt the same. They came back and spent about 40 mins working. It is currently cold (as it usually is when they leave) but I do not know how long it will stay that way. I could spend my energy cursing and fussing but to whom? They dont speak english-and its a different set of people each time, and I could do so many other things with my energy...
like going to get some ice cream at baskin robbins!!!