Wanting to Teach Abroad in 2026?
What if I told you that the whole world feels like my home? And what if I said that every couple of years, I pack up my things and move to a different country—exploring new cultures, learning new languages, and enjoying incredible life experiences? This has been my life as an international school teacher, and it could be yours too. Here’s a little bit of my story.
Living and working abroad is a dream for many people. With the rise of the digital nomad movement, working remotely has become more accessible to anyone with a laptop. But for teachers, this idea isn’t new. For years, international teachers from around the globe have had the opportunity to teach and share their knowledge abroad.
Getting Started
So what inspires someone to become an international teacher? I’m Australian, and I came into teaching after finding accounting too dull and static. I discovered a passion for working with young people when I dropped out of uni, moved back home, and began coaching a soccer team. That experience led me back to university to get my teaching degree. I went on to teach economics and humanities in Australia for six years. But everything changed during a trip to Vietnam, where I met some American teachers working in China. Later, while travelling in the Philippines, I submitted my résumé to a school there—and landed my first international teaching job.
Since then, I’ve taught in several countries. I started in the Philippines and have since worked in Singapore (twice), Hong Kong (twice), China, and now Thailand. But I’m already considering where I might go next.
Where It Can Take You
The Philippines was a fantastic place to learn how to adapt and be patient. Attitudes towards time are quite relaxed—“Philippine time” is a term you often hear when things are running late or take longer than expected. The people are easygoing and sociable, which made it easy to form local friendships. I even learned a bit of the local language, Tagalog. Though, it was hard to practise because everyone already spoke English.
I then moved to Singapore, a place I had always wanted to experience. It was much more developed and efficient, but also harder to make local friends. At first, I struggled to settle in—it felt a little too serious. But once I found the expat community, mainly through watching sports and seeking out the best happy hours, I started to feel more at home.
Next was China, which was all about culture shock and overcoming language barriers. Very few people spoke English, so I learned quite a lot of Mandarin, especially while shopping at local markets. I was practically forced to use it every day, which actually made it easier to learn. Each day was a challenge, but a satisfying one. There was real joy in accomplishing everyday tasks using a second language. Sadly, I forgot much of the Mandarin I learned once I moved to Hong Kong, where English is more widely spoken and Cantonese is the local language.
Hong Kong felt like the best of both worlds—combining the traditions of Chinese culture with the convenience of English communication. Most people don’t realise how geographically and climatically diverse Hong Kong is. With its hiking trails and beaches, it became home for me during the eight years I lived there. Unfortunately, COVID forced many people to leave, and I was one of them.
Thailand has been my next chapter—a return to adapting to new cultures and traditions. It’s an endlessly fascinating place, full of beauty and warmth.
How It Changes You
Generally speaking, overseas teachers become more accepting of differences and more willing to go with the flow. You learn not to view unfamiliar ways of doing things as wrong—just different. That’s what makes international living so rewarding, even if it comes with challenges.
The students I teach are incredible, coming from diverse backgrounds. At the moment, I teach mostly Thai students. Ironically, many international schools don’t actually have many students from the country they’re based in. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is learning about my students’ lives and the different worlds they come from.
My proudest moments as a teacher have been personal ones. I had the honour of handing diplomas to both of my daughters during their graduation ceremonies—hugging them on stage was unforgettable.
Overcoming Challenges
Of course, there are challenges too. At times, dealing with parents who have unrealistic expectations for their children can be difficult. While I dislike stereotypes, many of my students would agree that their parents expect extremely high academic performance. There’s also the tricky matter of whether to accept large gifts from parents—a cultural nuance you have to navigate carefully.
Over time, my perspective has changed. I now understand that wealthy, privileged expat kids often face serious challenges of their own—challenges I hadn’t considered before. Coming from a modest background myself, I used to think rich kids had it easy. That’s not always the case.
Another realisation is just how open-minded you need to be. Your values and perspectives might differ significantly from your students’. I once taught a student from North Korea during a unit on capitalism. That was certainly an eye-opening experience. Cultural sensitivities are also important—especially on topics like China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan—areas that require thoughtful, respectful navigation.
International Schools
Every school and every curriculum is different. Flexibility is essential. No matter how many questions you ask in a job interview, things on the ground can be quite different from what you expect. Open-mindedness also applies when working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and belief systems.
The opportunities for international teaching are endless. There are schools in nearly every corner of the world. China, in particular, continues to add new international schools every year. While some are more “international” than others, there’s still a huge demand for English. Interestingly, I’ve never taught English as a subject, but parents here still place a strong emphasis on their children becoming proficient English speakers.
Since COVID, opportunities have shifted, and there may be more roles in some locations. China, for instance, is a great starting point for new international teachers, with some schools offering very high salaries.
Balancing personal and professional life is important. One of the great things about working overseas is the tight-knit expat community—especially among teachers. You make lifelong friends, though people do move on, and you may not see them again for years. Still, reunions can happen in the most unexpected places.
Travel
Another huge benefit is the holidays. In Thailand, I get more days off than I ever did in Australia. The summer break is usually six or seven weeks long, and there are regular short holidays throughout the year. These give you the chance to travel—sometimes even internationally on just a long weekend. Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are all close by and affordable. Many of my colleagues take three or four overseas trips a year, and summer is the perfect time to explore multiple countries in one go.
Living in a place—not just visiting—also opens the door to unique experiences. When I lived in China, I visited the Harbin Ice Festival and even ran a half-marathon along the Great Wall. These were real highlights of my time there.
Adjusting
Of course, the early days can be tough. First-year homesickness is real. My first year in Singapore was hard, and I counted the days until I could visit home. But eventually, your friends become the people around you—and often, they’re in the next country too. For me, there’s always an Aussie pub, a cold beer, and some sport on the big screen to help me get through the tough days.
As for the best places I’ve visited, every country I’ve lived in has been wonderful. My favourite travel destinations are Cambodia and Vietnam. The people in both countries are incredibly friendly—possibly the friendliest I’ve met anywhere. They’re also affordable, have amazing food, and in Vietnam’s case, beautiful beaches. Laos is another stunning place to visit.
Common Misconceptions
There are quite a few misconceptions about international teaching. One common one is that all we do is teach local kids how to speak English. In reality, international schools usually cater to expat children, and apart from language classes, everything is taught in English. These schools often follow Australian, British, or American curricula, mirroring those of their home countries.
Another myth is that all Asian students are good at maths. Many of my students would quickly tell you that’s not true. There’s also a perception that people from China, Hong Kong, or Singapore are cold or lacking in personality—but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Some believe that living in Asia means being disconnected from the rest of the world, or that things are somehow inefficient or outdated. But in reality, transport, internet, and phone services here can be far more efficient than back in Australia.
To anyone considering international teaching, I say this: it’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made. People may try to talk you out of it—don’t listen. Don’t give up during your first year, even if homesickness strikes. It will pass. Eventually, the phrase “going home” will start to mean something entirely different.
Getting The Job
When it comes to job hunting, remember that many factors affect whether or not you land a particular role—and many of them are out of your control. Just keep applying. Getting your foot in the door is better than doing nothing at all. Be open-minded, flexible, and prepared for a few early struggles.
Most international schools start you on a two-year contract, with the possibility of one-year extensions after that. It’s best to stay at least two years—changing jobs too frequently can raise red flags for recruiters. Still, this means you could move countries every couple of years if you choose. I like to treat each move as a promotion. Even if the job title is the same, it’s a new country, a new culture, and a new adventure.
You’ll learn so much—about yourself, about others, and about the world—simply by getting out there and experiencing it. It will completely shift your perspective.
So, what are you waiting for?
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