Are you taking the Mickey, or what?

My quest to find a new job has begun. The forms and CVs have all been completed and now all I have to do is decide where in the world I want to go next and actually GET a job - not much then!

The choices of where to go are dizzying. Not only do I want to find a country in which I would like to live, but also try to find the right balance of salary, a school that looks welcoming, well resourced and offering opportunities for development, a social life outside of work, fun places to travel in the holidays and a good standard of living.

I'm using a specialised international teaching recruitment company that helps the process become a little easier. Each school publishes the vital statistics, such as the salary, benefits, the curriculum offered and details about the school community. I'm thinking of printing off all the forms and playing a giant game of 'International Schools Top Trumps'!
It would go something like this:
Salary: $55 000 a year beats $45 000
Flight allowance: Annual beats every 2 years

I wish I could make my mind up on where I would like to be. One minute, I think that Eastern Europe would be appealing; it's close to home, has some culture and I imagine the cost of living is still fairly reasonable. Then I remember that it would involve learning a really complicated language ... But it would be lovely to experience seasons again after 2 years in the land of eternal spring in Bogota and 3 years of the alternating 'hot and dry' and 'hot and wet' of Uganda. At the moment the 'hot and wet' is triumphing!

Then there is Asia, which with its diverse number of different cultures surely can't be lumped together as one homogenous group. The mixture of ancient and fascinating cultures and blossoming modern cities is appealing. I have yet to step foot on that continent and the prospect of travelling there is very enticing. On the other hand, I could be a little lost with the even more complicated languages with alphabets I can't even read and I would feel like a giant all the time and not be able to find any clothes to fit!

I had never considered the Middle East before, but now I wonder whether I should open myself up to the idea of living in a modern city like Dubai. I have always imagined it to be a soulless place and don't really relish the idea of having to live in air-conditioned shopping malls and cars all the time. However, after 3 years in Uganda, I wouldn't mind living somewhere where things actually work and earning a few big bucks.

Do you see why I am in such a dilemma?

Certainly the strangest thing I have ever seen is the 'Disney English School of Shanghai', where the whole curriculum is based around Disney films. I don't think I would be avery good fit for this sickly sweet approach to education, unless I was able to spend any bad tempered days in role as Cruella de Ville! If I had to teach in a themed school, I would prefer the Hogwarts International School. Lunch duties would be far more entertaining, I could turn anybody who chatters in class into a frog and fly home on my broomstick at the end of the day.

Take a look at this clip about the Disney school

Funnily enough, the percentage of British teachers at this school is a big fat zero! Oh and take a look at the 'up next' clip in the top right hand corner - a slightly disturbing juxtaposition I would say!