This is the beginning of something very exciting...
I've had the urge, for a few years, now, to explore the realm of international schools and experience teaching overseas. I had done some research in the past, but I had never really pursued the idea with any vigor or seriousness. That all changed in the autumn of 2012. I complete a candidate profile with International School Services (a placement agency that matches teaching candidates with overseas schools) and I decided to "play the field."
At first, like in times past, it was simply a mental exercise. As more opportunities arrived in my e-mail inbox, however, I became more intrigued, and I decided to take my search to the next level. I decided to attend a Recruitment Fair in San Francisco in February. Hundreds of international schools, from across the world, would be there, and ISS advisers told me that most placements occur at these hiring conference. Thus, I packed my bags, ironed my suit and jetted off to the city by the Bay not really knowing what to expect.
Recruitment Fairs are chaotic! They move fast, and candidates have to be ready to jump on opportunities at a moment's notice. The event begins with a mad scramble to schedule interviews. All of the schools set up shop in a grand ballroom and candidates run around like ants trying to add their names to interview lists and pursue positions they're interested in.
Like most candidates, I had made my list of priorities:
I've had the urge, for a few years, now, to explore the realm of international schools and experience teaching overseas. I had done some research in the past, but I had never really pursued the idea with any vigor or seriousness. That all changed in the autumn of 2012. I complete a candidate profile with International School Services (a placement agency that matches teaching candidates with overseas schools) and I decided to "play the field."
At first, like in times past, it was simply a mental exercise. As more opportunities arrived in my e-mail inbox, however, I became more intrigued, and I decided to take my search to the next level. I decided to attend a Recruitment Fair in San Francisco in February. Hundreds of international schools, from across the world, would be there, and ISS advisers told me that most placements occur at these hiring conference. Thus, I packed my bags, ironed my suit and jetted off to the city by the Bay not really knowing what to expect.
Recruitment Fairs are chaotic! They move fast, and candidates have to be ready to jump on opportunities at a moment's notice. The event begins with a mad scramble to schedule interviews. All of the schools set up shop in a grand ballroom and candidates run around like ants trying to add their names to interview lists and pursue positions they're interested in.
Like most candidates, I had made my list of priorities:
- Grade Level (grades 4-8, please)
- Subject (Social Studies or Language Arts, please)
- Location, Location, Location (Europe, Asia, the Middle East; no Africa or South America)
Quickly, two good opportunities presented themselves:
- Middle School Social Studies in Hong Kong
- 4th Grade Teacher in Moscow
The initial interviews went really well, and the heads of school conducting them were warm, welcoming and sincere. Multiple rounds of discussions ensued, and to make a long story short, Hong Kong International School was emerging as the front runner. I had two interviews on Tuesday afternoon and a third on Wednesday morning, at the end of which I received a formal offer to teach social studies in Asia's World City.
How could I say no? Hong Kong? Really! I was over the moon, and it only took me about 45 minutes to sign the provisional contract. I was so excited I skipped the rest of the conference and paraded around the city of San Francisco, basking in the excitement of my new job! (I met a new friend at the conference, too; Kate. She was recruited by a school in India and like me, was thrilled to be embarking on a new adventure. Neither of us could believe our luck as we toured around San Francisco).
Thus, it was in San Francisco, the city of my birth, where I found a new beginning and a chance to move to Hong Kong! Let's see how this unfolds...
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