Teaching and Living in Singapore

[ksl]

Bottom line is that at your salary, you are not going to be wining and dining at the premiere establishments...

Of course I don't actually expect to be living in the lap of luxury at this stage haha... I'm excited about coming to Singapore despite the potential hardships. After all, if I don't try it I might live to regret it. I'm originally from Hong Kong (even though I have lived in England for most of my life), so hopefully I'll acclimatise a bit quicker given that it has a (somewhat) similar culture to HK.

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Sorry I should explained in more detail about property agents, though SMS as made it clear! So you speak Chinese too?

[kuchizuke]

Unfortunately I don't speak Mandarin Chinese, I speak Cantonese... and kinda badly/with a foreign accent hahah. I left Hong Kong when I was little so my reading and writing is like non-existent in comparison with my English.

[ksl]

Unfortunately I don't speak Mandarin Chinese, I speak Cantonese... and kinda badly/with a foreign accent hahah. I left Hong Kong when I was little so my reading and writing is like non-existent in comparison with my English.

Check your PM in box!

[kuchizuke]

[quote="ksl"][quote="kuchizuke"]Unfortunately I don't speak Mandarin Chinese, I speak Cantonese... and kinda badly/with a foreign accent hahah. I left Hong Kong when I was little so my reading and writing is like non-existent in comparison with my English. [/quote]Check your PM in box![/quote]

I did but it's empty....

[k1w1]

One way or another, you will be fine... and don't need to by stuck in the kind of horror show envisioned by k1kw1 who says, "Living with a local family who do not allow you to cook, while pinching every penny and sticking it out at an incredibly stressful job is not "an adventure".".

Alright, fair play. That was a bit dramatic, perhaps. Sharing an apartment would be a infinitely better option and is what many young professionals do in Singapore.

This whole discussion is something of a sore point for me as I have met countless (really, I have lost count) of the number of young teachers who are told they can live off a meagre salary and they should come for "the experience and adventure of living abroad".

The OP has not mentioned medical insurance, taxes, flights or the consequences of breaking her contract. I've had many, many colleagues literally disappear in the night when it all got too much.

I was 21 when I took my first overseas teaching job and it was a real adventure. I completely understand the OP wanting to do this. However, I don't think she should move to Singapore with the circumstances she has outlined, that's all - hence offering to point in her the direction of better places to work.

[kuchizuke]

This whole discussion is something of a sore point for me as I have met countless (really, I have lost count) of the number of young teachers who are told they can live off a meagre salary and they should come for "the experience and adventure of living abroad".

The OP has not mentioned medical insurance, taxes, flights or the consequences of breaking her contract. I've had many, many colleagues literally disappear in the night when it all got too much.

I was 21 when I took my first overseas teaching job and it was a real adventure. I completely understand the OP wanting to do this. However, I don't think she should move to Singapore with the circumstances she has outlined, that's all - hence offering to point in her the direction of better places to work.

Thanks for your advice anyway k1w1. The thing is, now that I've signed my contract already, it's probably best not to break it now. Anyway, the contract is only initially for a year (the contract includes flights, baggage allowance and $1000 relocation allowance for first month, smallsubsidy for medical/dental treatments). I have to say that jobs for teaching in the UK aren't really that much better either...

[k1w1]

No worries. Singapore is a great place to be and you sound like you are going into this with an open mind, which will go far. My offer still stands, so feel free to PM me anytime.

[Yeboah]

I hope it works out for you Kuchizuke, you sound very genuine.

Although i can't comment on the package etc, I went travelling for a year through Asia at age 24 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. very liberating and empowering. Go into it with an open mind and a positive attitutde and I'm sure you will be rewarded. good luck!

[kuchizuke]

Thanks To be honest I am Asian myself and I have been to few asian countries so I'm hoping Singapore will be ok... but obviously this time is for work so of course I will still find things scary haha

[blueboots]

kuchizuke,
Drop me an email at sv3nbox-slanted@yahoo.com.

[pichpiran]

kuchizuke, any tips for the application? I will be graduating with a Secondary PGCE at the end of this month and looking to work for MOE. I'm from Thailand but have been living in the UK for 14 years. Thank you!

[katbh]

For accommodation, ask International Schools if they will put up notices in the staff room saying that you are looking for a room. There are many expat teacher who share and contracts are opening and closing all the time so the teachers are coming and going. You will find a spot pretty quickly.
If you do not find a flat with someone before you come, you can always stay in the teachers accommodation. The MOE has teacher accommodation (often in the boarding houses for international students - eg Dunman) .
You will love Singapore. Relax

[katbh]

For accommodation, ask International Schools if they will put up notices in the staff room saying that you are looking for a room. There are many expat teacher who share and contracts are opening and closing all the time so the teachers are coming and going. You will find a spot pretty quickly.
If you do not find a flat with someone before you come, you can always stay in the teachers accommodation. The MOE has teacher accommodation (often in the boarding houses for international students - eg Dunman) .
You will love Singapore. Relax