What is it like to pursue a teaching career in another country?

Hi Karen,
Teaching pays less than what the work demands, but that is not to be confused with low paying. Depending on your lifestyle and debt coming out of college, you may find the salary allows you to achieve many goals, and the summers off allow additional opportunities for hobbies and travel that could provide extra income. Also, the pay for international teaching is not significantly more. However, there are tax and housing benefits, that can make it easier to save money. In addition, depending on what country you work in, the cost of living can be much lower, and allow for even more savings.

The demands of teaching are not much different from one country to another. Teaching is tiring, as it commands your emotions and attention the majority of the day in a way that office work never will. You won't be bored often, but you will run through pretty much every other feeling, sometimes in the course of one class. And more often than not, the good you do for students won't be seen by you, and won't be appreciated by them (and their parents) until long after they left your class. Knowing that what you are doing matters and improves their lives makes it worthwhile, though.

The challenges most people encounter teaching internationally are usually homesickness, culture shock and school administration. I managed it and enjoyed it greatly for 9 years, in countries most people would not even visit, but some folks left after only a few months. You learn very quickly what you can live without when you first make the move. It helps if you have a couple of years experience teaching prior to going overseas, but it is not necessary for some schools. Keep in mind that not all international schools and programs are created equal, and do your research.

Below are some resources that might help.

Job finding services
https://www.iss.edu/
http://www.searchassociates.com/

School Reviews
https://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/

Hi Karen! Have you ever heard of the Association for Talent Development at ATD (google it) Maybe you could please you, please your dad and make money also. Be open to new ideas, new times and great opportunities. A rapidly changing planet opens up venues to teach skill classes, facilitate sales, customer service and communication classes, teach english to companies presently doing outsourcing work for american companies. Check out the background of William Strickland and research the schools and curriculum they offer. Life Coaching offers another way to "teach" and reach people. Google Coach University, I completed their 3 year program about 20 years ago when the coaching field was in its infancy. I have thousands of hours "teaching" sales skills workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada for 15 years for major international companies. I say this not to impress but to wake you up to options and possibilities in a world few school teachers and career counselors know about.

Explore (google it) The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest HR professional society, representing 285,000 members in more than 165 countries. For nearly seven decades, the Society has been the leading provider of resources serving the needs of HR professionals and advancing the practice of human resources. management. SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and United Arab Emirates.

Read The Dream Manager (google it) - a career non-existent just a few years ago. Good luck in your pursuit.

There is a current trend in teaching abroad mainly in Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Check out this website:

https://www.teachaway.com/teaching-jobs-abroad

They have lots of jobs for certified teachers for people willing to teach overseas in these and other countries.

Best of luck with your studies and future endeavors!

I was an English teacher in 2 countries ( Russia and Mexico). Asian countries ( China, Vietnam, etc) pay very well and have many benefits ( health care, vacation days, paid flights, etc). Middle East also has many teacher benefits but the teaching market can be difficult to get into as they often look for highly qualified teachers. Central and South America is very fun place to live and cheap. However schools often dont give good benefits and pay is low but livable. If teaching abroad is your calling try to learn the language of the country you want to work in and get a TEFL ( certificate) and see if you can volunteer in your local community to get experience.