A Journey To Teach Abroad

Bureaucracy And Even More Bureaucracy So, just when you think it's all over, out comes another issue with good old immigration.  For those of you who have been following my blog since the start, you will know that my departure from the UK was delayed by the joy of the Malaysian immigration services deciding to change the way they process foreign workers. It used to be the case that you could simply enter the country on a tourist visa whilst your work permit was processing. They decided that for some reason this was a bad idea and now you have to gain your permit approval letter prior to coming over.  Immigration is a nightmare So, what's the problem, I hear you cry? I already have my permit and my shiny new ID card. The problems comes from the need to get my family here. We were under the impression that those who were going to claim dependent status would still be able to come over on a simple tourist visa and then apply once here, thus giving us plenty of t...

Firstly I guess it's probably a good idea to explain the absence of posts over the last few weeks. Since the end of the academic term everything has been a little crazy and time has just slipped by. I have very selfishly spent the time with my family, trying to make the most of the sort holiday whilst also selling, packing and generally trying to sort everything. You wouldn't believe the amount of stuff that you have to do even when it's only you going to the other side of the world.   Life Laundry You know, it has to be said there is something quite therapeutic about being put in a position where you have to get rid of the majority of your possessions. You really are in a unique position to look at your life and take stock of what's important. It also turns out that you wouldn't believe the amount of utter rubbish that can be crammed into a small house. I say that but those who know me will be sat there and probably saying "I told you so!" (I...

So it's all been (kinda) confirmed! The offer has been sent and I've accepted it, just waiting for the formal contract, etc. I'm making the whole family up sticks and move half way around the world. Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited, but I have to admit that right now I'm feeling a little more than a bit nervous. As a teacher I always just assumed that my career would begin and end in the UK. I'm not for a moment saying that it's not going to end there, just that if you had asked me 5 years ago where I saw my teaching going, it wouldn't be Malaysia. Interestingly enough, i really do think that there is something to be said for the fact that International schools seem to be able to offer the British Curriculum in a method more akin to how British state schools would like to be able to. It's going to be interesting to see if that is the reality of it or not. I have so many questions about how international schools work, I'm sure I...