Unlocking the door to our hotel room, I’m greeted with a familiar sight. My wife and I have been staring at the same four walls for 13 days and have just returned from our Covid-19 swab test.
In a couple of days we will receive our results and, if given the all-clear, we are then allowed to leave our hotel room to explore Singapore and begin the process of settling in.
My first international teaching job
I am preparing to start my first international teaching job in somewhat unconventional fashion.
We’ve been in quarantine since we arrived here in Singapore. Once the door to our hotel room closed, we have not been allowed out or to have direct contact with anyone, except today for the test.
Food is delivered to our door three times per day (and for the record, has been quite good), clean towels and linen are provided regularly and we can phone reception for things like extra coffee.
Thankfully, the whole process has been efficient and incredibly well handled by everyone involved.
A virtual welcoming committee
At first, I was quite concerned about spending two weeks in a hotel room. However, it has not been as bad as I imagined. Regular contact with the school has been key and has helped me to start to feel part of the school community.
The school administration team have been in touch almost every day for a quick catch-up. The principal and teaching staff have also been in regular contact. The school organised a WhatsApp group for new starters - we have bonded over our quarantine experiences and have shared advice with staff who are just starting this process.
How do you make the most of quarantine?
So, how have I been making the most of this time?
If you’re faced with a period of quarantine before starting a new teaching job abroad, here are some of the things you can prepare during your two weeks:
1. House hunting
Finding somewhere to live is a top priority. Think about what is important to you (ie, distance to work, access to open space) and speak to your new colleagues or anyone you may know about different potential locations.
In Singapore, it is common to have an agent (we had some recommended by the school) to help you find properties that match your criteria - our main criteria is that the apartment is cat-friendly, as we are flying our cat out to be with us in a few weeks.
2. Tying up loose ends
These two weeks have given us a chance to finalise everything back in the UK.
We have spoken to our utility companies to give them our final readings and cancel our accounts. We have also spoken to the student loans company about how to pay back our loan from our earnings while abroad (this involves filling out an overseas income self-assessment form on gov.uk).
3. Swotting up
This is a perfect time to turn your attention to preparing for your new role. In the UK I taught the GCSE and A-level specifications, but at my new school I will be teaching the IGCSE and International Baccalaureate specifications.
My school has given me log-in details to some of the websites they use for resources, and this has given me a great opportunity to familiarise myself with the specification language and how they phrase exam questions, for example.
I’ve also taken the chance to get some extra professional development. There have never been more CPD sessions available online as there are now during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a science teacher, my main go-to resources have been Seneca, the Institute of Physics, STEM Learning, CogSciSci and Chat Physics, and also the more general CPD resources such as ResearchED and FutureLearn.
4. Learn the lingo
Being confined to a hotel room has also provided me with the opportunity to learn a new language. While English is an official language of Singapore, I have also been trying to learn some basics of Mandarin.
YouTube is useful for language learning videos. While there are some great apps available, my favourite is Busuu as it allows you to record yourself speaking and native speakers send you corrections. In return, you can correct those learning your native language as well.
5. Sighting-seeing online
Take the chance to do some pre-visits online and explore your new home virtually.
You’ve just moved to an amazing new country but you are stuck indoors. I have been “walking” around Singapore on Google Maps, and using websites like TimeOut to look for cool restaurants, cafes, museums, attractions and parks to go to when I am out of quarantine.
6. Just relax
Remember, not everything has to be about preparation. The past few months have been stressful for everyone, so try to see quarantine as an opportunity to relax and recharge. It’s given me time to read lots of books I’ve always wanted to read.
Don’t feel guilty about a day of bingeing on streaming sites. Although, do check what is available in the country you are going to - for example, Disney+ is not yet available in Singapore. Take the time to catch up with family and friends, although they may still be in their pyjamas while you are eating dinner! And try to stay active - there are lots of free exercise resources online.
It’s rare to have two weeks to yourself, so dedicate it to what you want to do and be kind to yourself. At the end of it, you will get to start that amazing adventure.
Fabio Di Salvo is a Tes international columnist, and a physics teacher who will be starting at Nexus International School in Singapore next term
