Sent my revised contract into the school. Baring anything crazy that should seal the deal.

Still working on getting the house cleaned up and ready to rent.

Today 6/24/12 I received contract version 2, and it's much more fair. The recruiter must have received more than one comment on the contracts, because there were more than just my changes.
I have one more question, so we'll see what happens.

I guess I'll need to start a new blog with a new name soon! :)

Well things have changed! The interviews with the school that Teach Away hooked me up with have been delayed yet again! They keep blaming the US Embassy, sounds logical but I can't wait much longer. In the mean time I have looked elsewhere. I filled out applications with two other recruiters.

Fast forward two-three weeks, I received an offer letter from a private school in Dubai!
My interview with this school was via Skype at midnight! The next morning I woke up to an offer letter and a request for a recorded sample lesson. Since I'm already out of my classroom in my local high school I was forced to create an mini classroom in my home office. So I created a short lesson and recorded it and uploaded to youtube. I sent the link to school and that was it.

At this time I'm waiting for my contract to arrive.
I've been changing my research from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Dubai is even more "Americanized" than Abu Dhabi.

Important things to me to find right away:

Gym (with Zumba and Yoga):   Looks like FitnessFirst is my only option for a good selection of classes. It's expensive though!
Vehicle:  To rent or buy? Seems like if I commit to stay in Dubai for the two years, it's cheaper to buy. I'd want a 4x4 so I can check out the dunes and off road as much as possible. Gas isn't an issue, it's VERY cheap.
Church: I've already found 3 Christian churches to pick from, that's just using the Internet... I'm sure once I'm there are more to pick from.

I'm looking forward to get over there!!!

Got another email today from my TA adviser with the actual details of my interview.
It's downtown, but just off the expressway so that won't be bad at all. She also resent me all the paperwork regarding the institution and the expectations of the position.
My nerves are hyper active!!!

Also not related, received a call from a local high school. Decision time!

Sitting here during the last few days of work, trying to find something to do.

The last update I received from TA was that my interview is on June 12th. A few days ago I got another email stating they want the math teachers to also be ok teaching Physics. That shouldn't be a problem, but it's been a while since I've looked at Physics materials.

In the mean time I've applied with other recruiters and websites. Just playing the waiting game now.

Well today I tried to collect all my documents, and scanning everything for the digital copies.

Went to print my finger print results, and learned the hard way that once you view the results they are destroyed. Which means if you look at them quickly, and then go back to print them later they are not there! That's very bad! So I'm forced to pay again, and go get them done again. That's an expensive mistake.  Oh well, live and learn. 

Spent an hour or so getting my copies made.
I actually used the color copier here at work to make all the copies I needed. Great quality came out of that machine. :)
Went to do my finger prints with the TA recommended provider, I was in and out quickly and the results (NO RECORDS FOUND) were in my inbox that evening. While at the finger print place, I noticed they also did passport photos so I had my picture taken also. Since losing so much weight since my original passport photo I look a lot different!

I also received a letter today from my principal (that I requested) giving my dates of employment.

Really just need to scan everything for digital copies, and also print and have my teaching certificate notarized.

Also learned today that another employee from my school has applied with TA, and has already received their contract! I may know someone in Abu Dhabi before I even get there!

Update in the process to get to Abu Dhabi

Today April 18th, 2012 I received an email from Teach Away stating that I made it through the initial screening. The email stated all the documentation that I need to provide.
Basic materials... passport copies, passport pictures, teaching certificate, copies of my degrees and background check.
Scheduled my finger printing for tomorrow, the email suggested that I get that rolling ASAP as it can take time to get processed.
Stay tuned for updates. :)

Initial Post

I have begun the process to teach in Abu Dhabi. After being forced out of my current school by a horrible administration, but mostly awesome students I'm looking for something completely new. A friend at work suggested I look up Teach Away Inc, they are a recruiter out of Canada that places teachers over seas. Most of their recruits teach English to Arabic speaking children, but they had opening for me to teach secondary math to older students (the equivalent of American high school and community college age students [14-20 was quoted to me]) math in English. The position is pretty lucrative, paid flight each way once per year, housing allowance, tax free salary and support. The salary is based on experience and degree status, I haven't received an actual number yet but I should be on the higher end of the spectum quoted on their website because of my Master's and 7 years experience in the classroom.

I've done a lot of research on life in Abu Dhabi. I mean a lot! Serveral hours. So far I've learned that the city is very similar to cities in the US! Everything is expensive, but the salary should cover everything. By my calculations, the housing allowance will cover my rental housing, rental car and most of my food expenses. My plan would be to send most of my salary back to the US to pay my credit card bills and student loans. My calculations show that I will have most of my smaller loans paid by the end of the first year, with everything paid off by the second year of the contract.

I've looked at:

Rent - apartment vs. villa (unsure of where my school is yet, so far villas are nicer and cheaper and closer!)   anywhere from 1200+/mo AED
Car - long term rental 2000/mo AED
Cell phone - 299-450/mo AED
Cable TV - 80-300/mo AED  (no western networks! only western cable [food network, discovery and etc..])
Hulu plus and VPN service - about 70/mo AED  (stream western network TV over the Internet)

Apparently there are three major grocey store chains there... Carrefour, Lulu and Spinneys. I really don't know any more then that at this point.

So far I've had my phone interview with a Teach Away rep on April 1oth, 2012 at 1PST. The interview was about 15 minutes. I followed the advice of their website and wore my suit. I know it's only a phone interview, but somehow I seemed to speak in a more professional manner when I was dressed nicely. The rep said "I have no problem recommending you for the in person interview". The same day the TA rep sent me a "pre-employment" form. The form requested basic contact information and to write a little blurb about my teaching history.

So as of April 17th, 2012 I haven't heard anything farther.