Teaching in the middle East... and taking family!

[Mammyloveswine]

So I've been qualified 7 years now, in primary education and specialised in the early years.

I'm currently on maternity leave and have been reflecting. Whilst I was training I always planned to teach abroad however I met my now DH, got a teaching job, got engaged, bought a house, got married and had kids... however I still feel the urge to teach abroad (specifically Dubai or somewhere in the UAE) and think as a family we would have much better prospects and the money is so much better. However, has anybody done this before? The packages look amazing and include accomodation, there is mention of family as the schools offer places to staff members children along with flights home twice a year...

The pressure at my school is ridiculous so im doubtful that it will be much worse but I'm.prepareed to be told I'm wrong!

All experiences welcome!

[rillette]

I know someone who moved out there (shipping container and everything), and promptly moved straight back again. That's not a blanket opinion on Dubai/the UAE, but just a warning - go and see the place first (the school, the accommodation) before you move your family out there!

[UAEMum]

We live in the UAE and the lifestyle is great! Totally recommend you try it. Feel free to pm if you like

[thefishwhocouldwish]

What does your DH do? Does he plan to get a job? If not, you will be lucky to get a package that is enough for all of you to live on. You will get discounted school fees but even so could easily pay up to £10k a year per child depending on the school. We decided to wait until DH got a job (not in education) before I applied for one. As a local hire on his visa I don't get any benefits as his package includes an accommodation allowance, flights and health care. We have no dependants and I honestly think schools will prefer to hire a teacher without them as it saves them money. Competition for jobs and pupils is fierce as there are many new schools opening and the economy is slowing. For example, school fee discounts of 20% are common and rents have dropped over the last three years. Apart from petrol, everything costs more than at home. £2 for fresh broccoli!

[TheHulksPurplePanties]

What does your DH do? A teachers salary isn't enough for a family to live off of here, not by a long shot.

[BalloonFlowers]

Not in the UAE, but am in the middle east.
It is VERY easy to spend money out here! If you eat like a local, you can eat very cheaply, but if you start wanting Kelloggs for breakfast (and search out the imported boxes, because not all Kelloggs is equal), add in some British cheese, and a packet of digestives it will start adding up.
Would DH work? What does he do. Although there are some male trailing spouses, they are few and far between.
There is also the cost of getting out of the middle east - holidays exploring here there and everywhere. And even if you use the school provided flight home for the summer - where are you going to stay? Our home is rented out, neither set of parents have the space (or inclination) to put us up for 12 weeks, so we pay a fortune in holiday rentals and hire cars each summer.
If DH will work, will childcare for the baby be provided, or will you need to hire a nanny?
Honestly, on a single teachers salary, I'd think you'd be pushed to support a family. If DH could get a job in the ME, id think you'd pick up a local hire package (no accomadation, maybe no fees) teaching job very easily.
Do some very serious maths before you committ.

But yes, the kids are having an amazing time - possibly because I've become a SAHM to support DHs move here, which gives us the ability to spend every evening in the pool in the summer, and the park winter.
They're also learning so much about different cultures and value/ belief systems, without really knowing it. Their geography is amazing.

We are getting out before secondary. Not because the school is poor (quite the opposite) but because there are less and less kids about, and socially it will start to become restrictive for them.

[marcopront]

I've taught overseas for 20 years. I have never been offered flights twice a year. Most jobs it has been every two years.
Having said that I love teaching overseas. There are Facebook groups for international teachers. I recommend joining them so you can get the low down on schools, there are s lot of dodgy ones in Dubai.

[TheHulksPurplePanties]

I've taught overseas for 20 years. I have never been offered flights twice a year.

Good point, I'm in the rather well-to-do energy field and I've never heard of flights twice a year. We get them once a year. There is no way teachers are getting flights twice a year, especially in Dubai.

[AlReef]

I've been living in Abu Dhabi for 10 years now. Promised myself when I first moved here it'll only be for a year, but the lifestyle is great, your kids would love it here! Things are getting more and more expensive, but we're still managing to save a lot more than we ever would living in the UK. Definitely give it a go, you won't regret it!

[TheHulksPurplePanties]

Definitely give it a go, you won't regret it!

I disagree. Yes this place is great if you are earning a high enough salary to make it great, but it's not a great place if you are going to struggle financially.

The banks are cut-throat, the school fees are ridiculous, and everything is expensive. You can't even enjoy the beach for free for 6 months of the year.

A school teachers salary is not enough to support a family here.

[Mammyloveswine]

Thanks for input everybody! The idea is that DH would get a job too but might be worth waiting until both kids are in nursery/school.

Will do extensive research before applying for anything.

I think it is easy to be blindsided by the salary without taking into account living costs.

[hmmwhatatodo]

What sort of money could a newly qualified teacher expect to make over there in some sort of infant school as a minimum out of interest?

[thefishwhocouldwish]

You have to be qualified for two years before you can get a job there.

[Icantbelieve]

This advice is second hand but go for the well established schools as many schools open and then shut within a small space of time