[exported_kiwi]

You're welcome! I can understand what you're saying about wanting some sort of lifestyle outside of work, but being "stuck" isn't a place you should put yourself. if you think you'll be stuck, then maybe it's not the best job for you. Find a place that suits your personality, and if you like clubs etc, the big cities are the only way to go, so look there!

As for contracts being changed; well, there's usually a mechanism within contracts that allow for termination but you usually will have to pay a sum of money to compensate the school. I've never actually heard of any teacher doing so however! Most teachers I know, including myself, have had contractual issues and have tried to arbitrate per the contract but most employers are intransigent and won't change anything, including their attitude, so when this happens, pack up and leave! Screw em, it's your life and time and you're a valuable commodity so just leave. Make sure that this IS the only avenue left to you before you choose to do it though! Contracts are usually very ambiguous and heavily favour the employer, so read the contract carefully before you sign it and discuss amendments before you sign it. A bity of give and take hurt nobody and it shows goodwill on both parts. Most employers will be fairly flexible and so you should be also...you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours etc, so don't do everything to the letter of the contract. Keep the hours expected of you, dress well, don't go to work smelling like a brewery and if you live on campus, don't go back to your apartment with a different girl every few days.... all these things are big no no's! If extra is requested of you, like the periodic English corner etc, do them with a smile but don't give too many extras or they'll begin to expect more and when you say no, things could get ugly fast! Be careful what you volunteer for because the same thing applies...give an inch, they'll take a mile if it's given for free. Don't ever have female students in your home unless there's a group of people there, both male and female.... but the best rule is NO! Bad things have happened in the past with some teachers I know, who were innocent but were accused anyway. My rule is, no way on this one! Keep your work and personal lives as separate as you can. It'll be a little hard if you live on campus, but make friends with the gate guards and you should be ok. Campus living isn't easy and it sure isn't private as you're constantly "seen" and you should bear this in mind should you live on a campus. Give the employer the best you can, within reason concerning your time and keep the contract and all should be fine with you, but if you have to leave, greet a friend outside the school to help move your gear, at night, and asak him/her to arrange a train ticket out of where you are, to where you're going. Make everything appear normal and then, just leave as if you're going to the shops. Find another job before you leave and when you find another job, unless you're in a huge city, don't work in the same city.

Contract lengths; This depends on whether you work for public or private institutes. Usually, public schools have contracts which cover a school year, or 10 months actual working time. These schools have long holidays in summer and winter and if you want to travel, this is the way to go. I can't say I've ever seen a half year contract for public schools.

Private schools/training centres prefer a 12 month contract as a rule although there are those that allow a 6 month contract. In private centres, there are only the usual Public holidays and maybe 5-10 days paid holidays/year. If you do a half year contract, the employer will probably only refund a 1 way airfare back home but if you do the full year, you'll usually get a return airfare refunded up to a specified limit....8-10,000 is a general idea. Public schools pay refunds too on airfares if you complete the full contract.

Ok, that's all I can think of now, hope this helps and good luck!