How much would you risk your safety?

[Niko]

Safety when working abroad

Have you ever considered teaching or working in a hostile country? Occasionally you will come across a very enticing job add, offering an attractive remuneration package. HOWEVER, like most good things, there is a catch. The job is located in a country of war and terror.

Would you take on the risk of teaching in a hostile country for the sake of accumulating riches? Do job ads that offer secure compounds scare rather than attract you?

Afghanistan is just 1 of these war-torn countries. In the past month, 3 girls' schools were attacked in the northern Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, with the incidents being blamed on Taliban insurgents. These violences have been blamed on the radical Taliban, which banned girls from attending school when it was in power from 1996 to 2001.

Whilst living and working in such strange and diverse countries could be a real thrill, would the thrill eventually be too nerve racking?

[Hypiereon]

You really have to do a cost / benefit analysis to even begin to think about one of these typs of jobs. Your cost in literal terms is almost nothing, but the potential cost could be everything - it's all on the line, but you don't HAVE to lose it all or even any of it. What can be gained really depends on your social and financial situation.

A single person with a lot of debt out of college, no strong family ties, and wanting to start a new life or new business might find the risk worth it. Without getting out of debt and getting a leg up on a business opportunity, they may feel they have nothing to lose.

Still, your life is on the line, and even if your situation is bad, you are hoping to make the money so you can use it somewhere. Even keeping a low profile might not be good enough for a year or two in-country. That's why my vote is "in the green zone" the body guard I might be able to without, but would certainly welcome.

Is the very tangible benefit worth the potential risk?

To each his own.

[Ayla]

My life is really not worth the risk, I value it and it is worth far more to me than $100,000.00
If I was in my 20's without family then yes, I might be more of a risk taker. Given that I have two small children, my answer would have to be NO.

[exported_kiwi]

Personally, I'd happily go to Afghanistan if the salary was high enough and it was in a supposedly "green' zone. I was there in 03 with the NZ army so I can handle myself well enough and bangs don't bother me too much any more. I'd hope to be given permission to be armed so I could defend myself though!

[cool ice]

Oh, you were in Afghanistan? Cool! Did you see lots of killing? I hope you don't have nightmares now.

[exported_kiwi]

My friend, no killing is cool! I did my first "action" in Central America during the Reagan days and did my last in Afghanistan which was abruptly ended by me falling down a hill, while chasing insurgents, and dislocating my left knee. Couldn't run fast enough after that and added to the other injuries sustained over the past couple of decades, I decided it was time to retire and pursue a more sedate lifestyle and career. No, I don't have nightmares and I regret nothing I did during that period of my life. Nuff said on this subject!

[cool ice]

Yeh, killing is no good, but the action of running thru the dessert would be fun, until though you can ambushed I suppose.

[exported_kiwi]

It had its adrenalim moments and was a lot of fun in some ways, until someone tried to shoot at me, my men or innocents, then it got real serious, real quick! As a lifestyle, I don't recommend it but for an adventure, if you're able to block the bad things out, it can be fun!

[mikeman400]

No way I'd do it. I value my life much more than any amount of money... I'm not scared of doing new things. Just of being shot.

[exported_kiwi]

Nah, being shot at isn't the problem, getting hit is! Life isn't about being afraid, it's about adventure and experiences. I can understand you though mike, it's not too pleasant being a target!