{"id":1552,"date":"2012-12-30T20:23:43","date_gmt":"2012-12-30T20:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/?p=1552"},"modified":"2013-01-12T22:50:20","modified_gmt":"2013-01-12T22:50:20","slug":"new-teacher-orientation-must-haves-at-international-schools-a-settling-in-allowance-given-to-you-in-cash-local-currency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/new-teacher-orientation-must-haves-at-international-schools-a-settling-in-allowance-given-to-you-in-cash-local-currency\/","title":{"rendered":"New Teacher Orientation Must-Haves: A settling-in allowance given to you in cash (local currency)!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In this blog series we will talk about the ins and outs of an excellent new teacher orientation programme at an international school.\u00a0 A new teacher orientation programme can really play a very important part to your start at your new school, in your new host country.<\/p>\n

Must-have #6: A settling-in allowance given to you in cash (local currency)!
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

You just get off the airplane.\u00a0 You have what seem to be a million bags with you. You are quite tired from your long flight journey to your new host country.\u00a0 You are frantically looking for the person that said that they were going to pick you up from the airport.\u00a0 You find them and they bring you to your new place that will be your home for the next few years. \u00a0 So many things on your mind, so many things to worry about, and SO many things to buy!<\/p>\n

Sure, you can prepare ahead of time and get some of the local currency at a bank in your home country before you get on the plane.\u00a0 Sure, you can make it a point to visit an ATM at the host country airport or try and find a local bank near your new house that has an ATM.\u00a0 But even then, you will have to use the money that you have in your home bank account and for many people, they might not have the finances to support starting up a completely new life and home.<\/p>\n

How nice then if the international school that you will be working at gives you a settling-in allowance on your arrival to your new host country?! Getting cash in the local currency straight away is definitely a perk and a very nice benefit to look out for when searching for a new international school at which to work.<\/p>\n

International School Community members<\/a> have a wealth of information to share! Here are a few comments about their experience getting a settling-in allowance at an international school they have worked at:<\/p>\n

“As soon as I got off the plane and claimed my baggage, I met the school principal at the arrivals gate, he introduced himself, and handed me an envelope with 1,500,000 won (roughly $1,500). Seriously, it was that quick.”\u00a0 – An international school teacher at Seoul International School <\/a> (68 Comments).<\/p>\n

“Upon arriving at our apartment, we were given an envelope with some cash in it. This was our settling-in allowance. It was enough to go to a Walmart-type store and get all the basics you don’t bring with you but need right away. Cleaning supplies\/trash can\/kitchen utensils (beyond the basics). The school already provided all the basic furniture, bedding, and kitchen stuff (pots\/plates\/cutlery) but all of the odds and ends were purchased with that settling in allowance. It was great to have local currency right away…but it sure didn’t last very long!” – An international school teacher at Graded School Sao Paulo<\/a> (16 Comments).<\/p>\n

“They gave the first month’s salary in cash upon arrival.” – An international school teacher at GEMS American Academy (Abu Dhabi)<\/a> (23 Comments).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Canadian Academy has a decent size settling in allowance. Seems large at first, but was used up quite quickly, as Japan is VERY expensive. So perhaps not as good as it seems. (I think it was about equal to one paycheck\u2026.?)\u201d \u2013 An international school teacher at Canadian Academy (Kobe)<\/a> (10 Comments).<\/p>\n

Getting at least some help monetarily during your first days in your new host country is very much welcomed by all international school teachers!\u00a0 Though you typically go through your settling-in allowance very quickly, it is still nice have.\u00a0 At many postings, you often don’t get your first paycheck until the end of the month that you start working.\u00a0 There are way too many things to buy during those first few weeks, that it would be impossible to wait until you get your first paycheck!\u00a0 Not to mention all the money you end up needlessly wasting when you buy certain items impulsively at one store (because it is near to your house), not knowing that the other store (down the block) sells that same item for half the price.\u00a0 I’m sure that has happened to all of us at one time or another!<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a>******<\/p>\n

In the Benefits Information section of the school profile page on our website, we have a topic related to the settling-in allowance: Detailed info about flight, shipping and settling-in allowances. Any other benefits (e.g. free lunches, etc.)?\u00a0 <\/strong>There have been 100s of comments and information submitted in this topic on our website and many of them refer to the settling-in allowance you will get (or not get) working at that international school . Here are a few of those comments:<\/p>\n

“You get one flight per two year contract. There is a 1500 USD appx. local settling allowance, and the school gives an interest free loan of one months salary to assist with settling costs. Shipping – be careful as if you are transitioning from another international post, you must use your home of record for quotations. Some people buy furniture, others rent furnished, some take out car loans, others buy 2nd hand cars. There are plenty of different options.”\u00a0International School of Kuala Lumpur<\/a> (55 Comments)<\/p>\n

“At the end of your contract the school provides travel and transportation to home of record. Annual flight allowance (KIS pays up to Rs 12,000 \/ person once every term contract). Shipping allowance for staff on term contract upon joining and at the completion of service. Also there is a transportation allowance. Settling in allowance is given upon every term contract signed. Lunch \/ tea in our school cafeterias while the school is in session is provided to teachers.” Kodaikanal International School<\/a> (25 Comments)<\/p>\n

“VAIS paid for round trip airfare from the US to Hanoi and back to the US for school year 2011-2. For school year 2012-3, there’s a cap of $1,700. VAIS paid $500 settling in costs. For school year 2012-3, there’s no settling in allowances. There are no free lunches. Lunches cost $3.50.”\u00a0Vietnam American International School<\/a> (26 Comments)<\/p>\n

Log-on today<\/a> to check out the many comments and information submitted in this section topic! \u00a0Become the most informed you can be when it comes to finding out the benefits an international school offers to its new teachers.<\/p>\n

So, does your international school offer a settling-in allowance?\u00a0 Please share your experiences!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this blog series we will talk about the ins and outs of an excellent new teacher orientation programme at an international school.\u00a0 A new teacher orientation programme can really play a very important part to your start at your new school, in your new host country. Must-have #6: A settling-in allowance given to you 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