Hi there TClayton! Drama? Cool! How long will you be going over for? When are you leaving? Have you found a flat yet?
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Yup, drama. Should be interesting! With all the issues I hear surrounding classroom behaviour in the UK, it will be fascinating to see how they respond in a class where they're encouraged to stand up and be noisy. I leave August 24th, and I haven't officially got a flat but I'm not too stressed about it. I'm signed on for a permanent contract, but right now I'm taking it a year at a time. I'm travelling with my partner, so it makes things feel a little less scary for me. Thank goodness for him! When I think I might be crazy for doing this, he reminds me why I wanted to in the first place. Anyway, I can't believe I leave in like 4 weeks. Eeek.
Tiff. |
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Hi again,
I was worried about finding a place, but Bluewave just called to let me know they are looking for a place to meet my needs. They are real troupers! I am coming alone, but am ok with that as it will encourage me to get out there and meet new people and really experience the culture. My contract is only for one year, but I'm hoping that I will find something more stable after that.... Well, good luck to you.
Meli |
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Hi to all the newbies coming over to England this summer! I teach in Aylesbury (45 miles north of London), and the school year just ended yesterday. Now that I finally have some time, I think I may be able to offer some experience based advice. May help, may not.
Housing: Finding a place to live anywhere in the UK involves a Letting Agent. Very few people post or rent their own flats or houses, so the way to go is find out from some people at work who is trustworthy, or just go from agency to agency and collect a bunch of information. The rates and rents they charge are outrageous, and would never be allowed in the states. For our flat we paid an estate agent 170pounds for what they call a background check (which is not done, but is classified as a service fee) then two and a half months of rent up front for the deposit, which does not go towards the rent. My partner and I are in a one bedroom first floor flat in a terrace building (translation, second floor apartment in an 8 apartment rowhouse type building). The rent is very cheap by English standards at 475pounds per calendar month (approx. $850). On top of that is the council tax that everyone pays according to the size of place you live(starting at 50 for a studio) 150pounds a month for our one bedroom, TV tax (yes, if you have a tv you pay yearly tax on it or face a 1,000pound fine and criminal record) of 140pounds a year. A British Telephone line will run you 99pounds hook up, and 40 odd a month or so. Utilities here are likewise incredible. Our electric bill is 290pounds every 3 months, and water runs 30pounds a month.
Income tax: As SOON as you get to your school, check with the personnel administrator who you need to contact for a National Insurance Number. All people working here need one, and until you actually have yours you will be paying what is called Emegency National Insurance, which is a knee shakingly high rate (mine was 52%). When you have your number, taxes are still higher then in the States (I have 800pounds a month taken out when my gross in 2200pounds a month).
Transportation: Bus schedules are "maybe". Trains are good, depending on where your are. You can get to London fairly efficiently from anywhere, but getting across your town may be more efficient on foot! Finally, taxis are pretty good. All taxis and drivers have to be licensed, etc, and have a taxi license plate. In London and the other big cities there are alot of illegal cabbies, AVOID THEM!
Entertainment: Depending on where you are, the general rule in the villages is that all retail shops are closed at 5 or 6, grocers at 8. On Sundays, everything closes at 4. Pubs are open every day, usually at 10am, and are closed at 11pm, but is pretty much the traditional thing to do. Don't be surprised if your co-workers suggest a trip to the pub at 3 in the afternoon! And don't be freaked if you see some of your students in the pubs. Most are family pubs, and 18 is the drinking age, but 16 is not very unusual.
Banking: Bluewave will probably give you a letter of introduction to a bank to help you get set up, which is great. But, the banks are very bizarre. I didnt have a permanent address for my first few months whilst I was living in a coworkers' house, the bank (HSBC) sent me letter after letter claiming I was a money laundering risk until I had a utlity bill with my name on it...I have no idea how they came up with that.
Customer service: Nonexistant. The average wait on ANY correspondence/reply/mail order is 4-9 weeks.
Bluewave: Consider yourself lucky to be with Bluewave. I have a lot of friends/colleagues that are here with other agencies, and they have had a rough time with them. Bluewave set me up with a private hire driver from London to Aylesbury, two nights at a B&B, and a mobile phone. They also called me religously for the first 5 months to make sure everything was okay.
Best of luck. |
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Are you pay by some competitive countrys just to forcing us to give up?
ha! ha! Just kiding
Yves
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