Hankering to explore new horizons? Here

Always had a yen to travel? Looking for a radical alteration in lifestyle? Feel the challenge has gone out of your career? Well, as the school year winds down and you actually have some time to ponder more than how you are going to squeeze in a moment to eat lunch, perhaps you should consider the always-amazing, ever-evolving, nothing-ever-works-quite-right world of international librarianship. Ah, you're interested, but questions are rising in your mind faster than bubbles in a shook-up cola can. Well, here are some answers as well as some resources where you can go to find more information.

Who the heck is going to hire me?

The schools that need to employ school librarians are U.S.-sponsored international schools. They serve American families working abroad, as well as students from the host country. There are approximately 180 such schools, located in 113 different countries, and more are opening every year. The curriculum is American, the instruction is in English, and there are usually EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classes for students new to the school. The majority of the students will attend college upon graduation. In addition to these schools, there are the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) for kids whose parents are in the American military. The schools are well established and are often in need of specialists, such as librarians. An important fact to know: as most of these schools are independent institutions, they can vary widely in quality. An educational board from the United States must approve them, but there are no unions or organizations ensuring teachers' rights. Most of the schools are reputable and follow the terms stated in their contracts. It is important to remember, however, that it is up to you to research a school before accepting a contract. (For more information on selecting a position that is appropriate for you, see "Personal Travel Kit" on p. 51.)

Do I send a résumé by carrier pigeon to Timbuktu to ask for a job?

The majority of the international schools hire through recruitment agencies. These agencies screen applicants and organize large hiring fairs, which both applicants and school administrators attend. Before going any further, know that most of the agencies charge a fee, both to join and to attend their hiring fair. These fees can range anywhere from $5 to $150, but on average expect to pay $100. The recruitment fairs, held on both the east and west coasts of the United States, take place in February and March for positions beginning in August or September of that year. Therefore, the time to contact agencies and ask questions is September; the time to complete paperwork is October; the time to make hotel reservations for attending a hiring fair is November; the time to read the agency's job listings is December; and, finally, the time to practice interviewing techniques and shop for a new suit is January.

What kind of fair is a hiring fair?

The hiring fair is a fascinating experience in itself. Imagine a plush hotel filled to the brim with teachers and librarians, some single, many married. A buzz of excitement and talk fills the lounges, hallways, bars, and even the elevators. Everyone is busy greeting old friends, networking, asking questions, and scurrying around organizing paperwork. Typically, you will arrive at the hotel on a Friday night and register at the fair. You are then handed a name tag and that golden list that tells who is hiring librarians and gives you some contract details. Most people then retire to their rooms to spend the rest of the evening poring over the positions-available list and coming up with a strategy for the sign-up session that will be held the following morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. In the sign-up session, every school that is recruiting will have a desk with one or two administrators scheduling educators for interviews. Therefore, it is very important to create a list of schools that interest you, so that you get in their lines early, before all the time slots for interviews are filled. For librarians, this process is not as competitive as it is for teachers. Why is that? Although there are usually not many library positions—maybe up to 20 at a large fair—my experience has been that there will only be about that number of librarians attending, so the odds of obtaining a position are actually quite good. Also, recruiters will normally sit up and take notice when librarians approach them, as these positions are often hard to fill. On the downside, some schools will fill a library position with a less-than-qualified person if they have to. Example: the wife of an administrator or the husband of a special education teacher will sometimes be offered a library job. These spouses often have teaching qualifications but no qualifications or experience as a librarian. Also, if you are a media specialist who is certified in more than one area, smaller schools may want to hire you as a part-time librarian and part-time teacher. This may be acceptable to you, but be sure to ask many questions concerning your work schedule before signing a contract.

Who is going to ask me what?

Interviewing begins promptly after the interview sign-up session and goes all day Saturday and Sunday until 5 p.m., at which time the fair officially ends. Interviews are held in recruiters' hotel rooms, where they will usually have a table and chairs set up. If you were organized and fortunate in the sign-up session, you may have as many as eight interviews spread over two days. Therefore, you will spend the weekend interviewing, waiting in hallways with the other candidates, and hurrying back to your room for more résumés. Each interview lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, and you will be expected to be friendly but succinct. I have seen every style of dress and interviewing technique imaginable. Expect anything is all the advice that can be offered. Most recruiters are very nice and are simply trying to do their best to sort out a sea of faces and résumés. Be understanding of this and they will be grateful. Remember, you are a librarian and you will know within five minutes whether they know anything about the library and care about hiring a qualified professional.

When will I know if I am off to work in the wild blue yonder?

Will you get an offer at the fair? More and more often the answer is yes, because as the international school market expands and there is a growing teacher shortage at home, fewer teachers are going overseas. This is especially true for specialists, of which, fortunately, you are one. If you are well qualified, interview well, and can fill a position they absolutely need filled, you may be offered a position during the first interview. But be careful—ask many questions and never accept an offer on the spot. Go away and think about it. You can always arrange to call them later, have another interview, or meet them at the cocktail party. Yes, there is an informal cocktail party held on Saturday night in the hotel. This is the place to socialize, meet new people, and hobnob with recruiters. Personally, I find the whole thing overwhelming, but I force myself to put in a half-hour appearance because recruiters have been known to draw people aside and make arrangements for second interviews. Sunday is normally a calmer day. You will see some people relaxed, dressed in jeans and smiling. This means they have signed a contract and are floating around elated. Those who did not get any interviews or feel they have not done well are sometimes already checking out and leaving. But the majority of attendees are still bustling about looking hopeful, because Sunday is the day when the most contracts are offered. Also, there are many cases where recruiters will go on to other fairs and contact you only after they have attended them all. It is tough to leave a fair without a job after spending all that time, money, and emotional energy, but don't give up hope. There are also hiring fairs held in June, and an agency might contact you as late as August to fill a vacant position.

Where do I sign?

Most educators are offered a two-year contract, though occasionally some may be offered a one- or three-year contract. Salaries and benefits vary widely, but generally look for:

• a salary paid in U.S. dollars or a local currency that is on par with the U.S. dollar;
• free or subsidized housing;
• quality health insurance;
• R&R, meaning that you're able to return home once a year, or once every two years;
• free or reduced tuition for your children;
• and at least six weeks paid vacation every year.

The important question to ask about salary is not how much you will earn, but how much of that salary will you be able to save. In other words, what is the cost of living and will my salary cover that? Salaries in Bolivia, for example, are incredibly low because it is very cheap to live there, whereas in Japan, you may be offered double the salary but be crammed into a tiny apartment and not be able to afford meat.

What about my partner? My children? My pet iguana?

Schools hire single candidates as well as married teaching teams. Those without children stand a better chance than those with, but there are many teaching families overseas. I would only be concerned if you have more than two children, which seems to be the acceptable number. If you do, then make sure that you have qualifications that are in demand, a lot of experience, and some great recommendations. A note for teaching couples: your chances of being successful depend a great deal on how you fit professionally as a couple. If, for example, you are a librarian and your spouse is a music teacher, then technically you will both be sought after—but the odds of finding a school that needs both a librarian and a music teacher are quite small. If, on the other hand, you are a librarian and your spouse is an elementary school teacher or is certified in a number of areas, then you increase your chances greatly. The recruiting agencies are very helpful in answering questions about this sort of thing. Ring or e-mail them to ask frankly about your chances and they will usually answer quite honestly. Pets are allowed, depending on the country. We brought our cat to Brazil. Friends of ours took their dog to Saudi Arabia. But be prepared for lots of paperwork and some stress for both you and the animal.

Okay, I'm interested, but will they hire me?

Now that you understand the bare essentials of how the system works, you must delve deep into your psyche and decide whether this rather portable lifestyle is for you. International schools are looking for a weird mix of individual qualities that often have nothing to do with your professional life. The list varies but here are the five basics:

• Flexibility/adaptability: Can you read a story loudly enough to drown out a group of chattering monkeys sitting outside in the palm trees?
• Resiliency: Can you work without air conditioning for eight hours in the heat of summer?
• Creativity: Can you create bulletin boards with only black paper and dried-out markers?
• Risk-taking ability: Can you change a light bulb while standing on an old chair on a rickety table on the crooked floor of the library?
• Sense of humor: Can you laugh when your computer goes up in smoke?

Note: My personal opinion is that school librarians possess all of the above qualities or they would not have survived as media specialists for more than week.

And, finally, a word of encouragement…

I have been an international librarian for four years. Parts of this adventure have been exhilarating and other parts harrowing, but I would not erase a single moment, as each one has helped me to grow in my understanding of people and thus, I believe, has made me a better librarian. So, if when the last student has left the building for the summer and you are finally sipping a cool drink under a shady tree, you still feel the need for a new challenge, then I say: Why not consider joining the league of wild and wacky international school librarians?

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Librarian Sarah Prescott is currently living in England.