FOREIGN HIRES

At EIS we parper our foreign teachers and staff and make a big effort to make your say and experience in Honduras pleasant and unforgettable.
The following links have been prepared to offer you information about our benefits, housing and the experience of several teachers, and tips.

RECRUITING FAIR IN ATLANTA

EIS Superintendent and Principals will attend AASSA (Association of American Schools in South America) Recruiting Fair from Dec. 3 to Dec. 6 in Atlanta, Georgia.

LIVE IN HONDURAS AT EIS

Contract Benefits at EIS:
• 14 USD payments
• life and medical worldwide insurance
• one-time $750 relocation allowance
• yearly returning bonus of $500 USD
• yearly round-trip economy airfare
• utilities allowance of 1,200 lempiras/month
• free residency paperwork processing
• gym/swim club membership fee
• shared housing • transportation to/from school on set schedule
• transportation to/from 4 locations within 3 hours from San Pedro Sula
• free in-school Spanish lessons
• free calls to US from school's IP phone
• cell phone and reduced payment plan with local cell phone company (including free calls between new hires)
• reduced rate plan with local taxi service
• assistance in on-site Master's program
• 2 personal days per year

Not Exactly Benefits, but Great:
• Bank account and debit card with a local bank, including personal debit card
• Group rate with native-English speaking scuba instructor(costs at least $300 less than it would cost me to be certified in the states)
• Technology:
      o use of SMARTboards in classroom
      o Teachers sign in and out everyday with a finger-print scanning machine
• Many foreign teachers share wireless internet with neighbors in an adjoining apartment, which makes internet very cheap here (About $8 per person per month)
• Most of us employ someone to clean our apartment once a week (and sometimes wash and iron clothes). Each apartment duo pays roughly 250-300 lempiras or $15 a week.

QUESTIONS / ANSWERS

What should I NOT bring?
Sweaters!! Long sleeve shirts are a good idea, but save luggage space and don’t bring sweaters. Don’t bring anything that is bulky. You can buy nice bedding here, but if you are like me and want your own from home, then get an air tight bag and pack it.

Toiletries!! You can buy all that here. All the big name brands are here. It is a big weight increase on your luggage. If you have a special moisturizer or something, that is fine.

Is it easy to travel? ABSOLUTELY!! Get 2-3 people and get on Hedman Alas to wherever you want. It is cheap and efficient. If you buy a car, even going in on a car with someone else, it is a nice weekend getaway. As long as you have your paperwork on you; license, passport, residency card, you will be fine.

Will I be safe? In two years, knock on wood, nothing has ever happened to me. If you don’t do or go to the same places everyday, you should be fine. You do have to be alert and aware of where you are and when you are there. Never be by yourself! Just think before doing things and you will be fine. Don’t walk around while talking on your cell phone. Petty theft is the most common around here. Can

I Drink the Water?
You can't drink water from the tap, but you can brush your teeth or wash vegetables with it. We all pay 28 lempiras a container to have Aguazul bottles refilled with drinkable water. A water man comes by and collects them from the guard every Wednesday and Saturday.

What Happens When You First Arrive in San Pedro Sula? Each year will be a little different, but starting on the Saturday we first arrived, the foreign hires spent every day doing some sort of orientation/activity. We toured the school and the city, filled out all the initial paperwork you might be wondering about (visas, banks, retirement, I.D. badges, gym memberships, etc.), and participated in several teacher-bonding activities and orientation/assembly-style talks (one of which took place at a resort in Tela). They also feed you everyday on the first week and try to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

What Can I Do For Exercise? There are three gyms that you can choose to join. One is at a country club called Copantl, which is chosen more for its incredible pool than its work-out equipment. The second is called Country Spa and is attended mostly for its spinning, Zumba, and Pilates classes. The third option is Gimnasio Nautilus. The latter is a favorite of those who enjoy a more focused, weights-oriented workout. If you aren’t interested in frequenting the gym every day, you can also try taking a hike up the mountain to the Coca-Cola sign. Foreigners and locals alike enjoy this route because it's excellent exercise, it's cooler in the early hours, and the pathways are safe because they're blocked off/guarded.

What Is A Typical Week Like? Other than planning classes, electives, and extracurricular activities, it seems like our schedules are always full of interesting diversions.
Every afternoon after school, Spanish lessons are held in the library (first levels meet on M/W/F and second levels meet on T/Th). On Tuesdays there is an Ultimate Frisbee club that meets at the soccer fields.
At 4:00 p.m. on Thursdays, several new and returning teachers visit a local orphanage that lets us volunteer and play with the kids.
And because everyone becomes close very quickly, on any given day the new hires can be found heading to Sushi Itto for two-for-one roll night, perusing stores in the mall, or heading to different house parties to hang out or watch Honduras play futbol.
There are also various "Welcome Back to School" celebrations when you first arrive to help you get to know the local teachers, assistants, and coaches, so don’t worry about only seeing the same people at events.

Stuff for Fun:
Mall Honduras has all the amenities that you are use to back in your home country. The malls seem to contain all necessary stores, you many not find your typical brand name stores, but there is everything you need. Plus, there are always really great deals on shoes!

Restaurants There are the typical fast food chains, and sit-down restaurants, however, very quickly you will learn that the best places to go are local. There are great local restaurants that give great tasting food for a great price.

Gyms There are many gym options, depending on what you are looking for. There are gyms with exercise classes, pools, exercise equipment, trainers, and one even has a happy hour!

TIPS

1. Only bring clothing and bedding. Everything else you can find down here!
2. Talk, Talk, Talk!!! Talk about your feelings regarding the move, especially when     you get here! Chances are someone else is feeling the same way.
3. Get to know the staff both local and returning foreign hires. They have tips and     tricks that will help with EVERYTHING!!
4. Take Spanish lessons- I have never felt more pride then when I called my very first     taxi, and got where I needed to go
5. Ask questions. Don’t sit and stress about something, ask a question. It may take     a few days, but the question will get answered!
6. If you can, talk with the teacher who had your job in previous years. They are     able to help you in adjusting to the curriculum, and providing resources.
7. Sleep before you come! You will be on the go from the moment you get here
8. Make it your own experience, and you will enjoy every moment.

HOUSING

“Jardines De Valle”

These apartments are bright, big and beautiful. There are a series of townhouses. Six of these houses are the homes for foreign teachers. The complex is gated with an inter-locking brick drive that opens it up as a courtyard like area. Teachers use this area for lounging in hammocks, reading, tanning, socializing etc.

The inside of the apartments are clean and spacious. There is an open concept kitchen/dining area with a beautiful archway that separates a large living room from the dining room. The apartment comes equipped with a full size fridge and stove, pots, pans, dishes, coffee maker, cooking utensils and ample cupboard space for storing food. There are fans in each part of the house. The living room is large with a half bath.

Each apartment has a television, couch or futon and bookshelf. There are many English channels to be found. Upstairs there are two bedrooms. Air-conditioning and fans are in both bedrooms. The front bedroom is the larger one with a balcony and a walk in closet. The other bedroom has a built in wardrobe. Both bedrooms have their own bathroom with shower.

Each teacher has a double bed, desk, lamp and night stand. There is a washing machine and washing line in the back of the house. The houses are beside a great restaurant called Euphoria. Teachers frequent the restaurant for dinner. They have a real wood burning oven and make fantastic pizza.

Close to the apartments is a large mall with clothing stores, hardware store, salon, bank, shoe stores, Pizza Hut, TGI Friday’s, Sushi Ito as well as Baskin Robbins, a food court and anything else you could want.

TESTIMONIAL

TEACHER 1
I love living in Honduras. The decision to come here was one of the best things I have decided to do. Before moving here I was feeling a little anxious about coming to a new country in Central America. I feel the school was very sensitive to the type of stress new teachers moving to the country would feel. They did everything to make the transition easier.
From providing our cell phone and the first part of our pay the minute we landed to putting food and drinks in the fridge to sustain us for the first couple of days. They took us to malls and grocery stores, the beach and restaurants.

The orientation period was well planned and much appreciated by all new teachers. I felt well informed and prepared to begin my life here. The school itself is beautiful. If I had to pick one word to describe it, it would be majestic. The school is located at the base of a series of lush, green mountains with misty clouds floating around the top. It is a beautiful walk to my classroom each morning. I teach Kindergarten at the ECC.

The teachers were so welcoming and friendly. They were willing to answer any questions I had in regards to routines of the school or life in general.

The school has many resources and professional development opportunities. Teachers like to plan trips to Copan, the Bay Islands and neighbouring countries during the many long weekends and holidays. I visited Roatan over the September long weekend with 20 other teachers and it was fantastic. There were beautiful white sand beaches, snorkelling and wonderful food and drinks. I am truly enjoying my experience in Honduras.

TESTIMONIAL JENNIFER Coming to Honduras was a big change for me. The first year was pretty hard being away from what I was used to. However, the people that you meet and getting involved in work really helped.

A lot of the foreign hire people click and bond right away. The returning hires always do their part to help out the new hires so you feel protected. Working at EIS has its ups and downs just like any school. You need to be prepared for school closings, assemblies, and unexpected events that detour your teaching. The administration, from my point of view, do try to comfort and help the foreign hires to the best of their ability. It is an experience working in SPS, Honduras.

Testimonial - TEACHER 3
School I was so nervous having to make the move away from my friends and family. Plus, I was a first year teacher, right out of teachers college, and I was being given my own classroom.

EIS provided not only support for the move and the transition, but once I got here my principals and co-teachers were so helpful and supportive.

Ever question was answered, and I was asked if I needed help multiple times within a day.

The administration and staff are completely supportive, and will do anything necessary to make you comfortable and successful. (Diana Rowell, Grade 8 Science)

Adjusting The move to Honduras was most definitely an adjustment. There are just some of your daily norms that have to be changed in order to integrate into the city, school, and culture in general.

The school and the people that work for EIS are more than helpful with this adjustment period. (Diana Rowell, Grade 8 Science)

Quote from Melisa Pubil- Grade 1 Teacher“I get pedicures for $.9.00, get to wear summer clothes all year, and I am a stone's throw from the Caribbean.”