Recruiting

What is an International School?

Around the world, there are hundreds of schools that have been created to educate students of families who are serving in foreign countries as diplomats, multi-national business executives, and representatives of non-profit organizations and governmental entities that promote development. It is not unusual for one of these schools to have 30 or 40 nationalities represented in their student body. It is, also, not unusual to have a high percentage of host country nationals attending these schools. Many were started by American or European families that needed a school for their children to attend. They most often are accredited by U.S. or European accreditation organizations and hire a good percentage of their teachers from the U.S. and Canada as well as other foreign countries.

With globalization, the demand for this type of school has grown significantly and every year new ones are being created in China, India,the Middle East, former Soviet Union Republics, Latin America and Africa.

These schools are known for the high quality of educational programs they offer, for having motivated students and supportive parents, and alumni who fill important leadership positions in the world. In recent years, these schools have become even more aware of the responsibility they have to work with their students to develop leaders with a social conscience. The exposure of these students to multi-cultural settings, their bi-lingual and sometimes multi-lingual ability, and their academic preparation gives them a unique capacity to overcome barriers to understanding between peoples and nations. Many alumni of these schools are now serving in important international leadership roles.

Many of these schools have moved from being isolated institutions in a foreign country and have become social entreprenues and collaborators with the local governmental and non-governmental entities. Their students are leading projects to help educate disadvantaged children, build affordable housing for the poor and address social issues related to healthcare, drug abuse et cetera.

What is it like to teach in one of these schools?

The teachers in these schools experience many opportunities for personal and professional growth. They learn a new culture and many times a new language. They rub shoulders with colleagues who have learned from teaching in the best schools all around the world. Their students are generally very motivated to learn and all of whom are preparing to enter good universities. The schools in which they teach provide staff development training in the latest educational practices.

While salaries can vary depending upon the country and its standard of living, it is usual for teachers to save a significant percentage of their salary after paying for their living costs. During Holidays and vacations, teachers normally travel and get to know the region in which they are working. Some teachers fall in love with the country and remain in their school until retirement.

Compared with schools in the U.S. and Canada, there is more flexibility in the curriculum and less emphasis on testing.