Why Teach Overseas?
Teaching overseas at an international school can be a life-changing experience. It was for me and maybe it can be for you too.
Whether you’re an experienced teacher looking for a new challenge or a recent graduate looking to start your teaching career, there are numerous advantages to teaching at an international school. In this blog post, I’ll explore some of these benefits and why you should carefully consider taking the leap.
Cultural Immersion
International schools can also provide a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture. This is probably what comes to mind first when thinking of living overseas. You may be working alongside local teachers and administrators, and you’ll have the opportunity to interact with students and families from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. This can help you gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures, customs, and traditions, and can broaden your perspective on the world.
Definitely one of the best parts of the job. Some schools are extremely diverse and this has helped me to learn more about different cultures.
Personal Growth
Teaching at an international school can also be a transformative experience that helps you grow as a person. You’ll be exposed to new challenges and opportunities, and you’ll have to adapt to a new environment and way of life. This can help you develop your resilience, flexibility, and problem-solving skills, and can foster a sense of confidence and self-efficacy that will serve you well throughout your career and life.
This applies equally to just the experience of living overseas. I’m sure I’m quite a different person from the one who left Oz in 2002.
Language Acquisition
Teaching at an international school can also offer excellent opportunities to acquire new language skills. Many international schools offer language classes for teachers, and you’ll also have the opportunity to practice your language skills with colleagues and students. This can help you become fluent in a new language much faster than if you were just studying it in a classroom.
I wish this was true for me. I gave this my best effort in China and was quite proud of my limited language acquisition there. But I lost most of my Mandarin when I left China. I’ve just moved to Bangkok and I don’t like my chances of learning Thai, but many foreigners do.
Competitive Compensation
Teaching at an international school can also offer competitive compensation packages. Many international schools offer salaries and benefits that exceed those of schools in your home country. In addition, many schools provide additional benefits such as housing allowances, health insurance, and travel allowances, which can help you enjoy a high quality of life while living and working overseas. Lower taxes in some countries can also help.
Obviously, this varies greatly and money shouldn’t be the prime focus. But being able to save for that day that you return home is pretty important.
Travel Opportunities
Teaching at an international school can also provide you with the opportunity to travel and explore new places. Many schools are located in countries and regions that offer a wealth of travel opportunities, from historical landmarks and cultural festivals to natural wonders and outdoor activities. This can help you broaden your horizons, create unforgettable memories, and deepen your appreciation of the world.
Yes, this is one of the best things from my experience. I’ve lived in five countries but visited many more. School holidays can be pretty special times. Even short breaks can allow you to cross some borders. I’m presently considering my travel options for my next break. From my current location in Bangkok, I can very easily (and quite cheaply) take a long weekend in SIngapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam.
Professional Development
We all want to be supported in our careers. Teaching at an international school can offer excellent professional development opportunities. International schools are often well-resourced, and teachers have access to cutting-edge technology and training. In addition, many international schools offer extensive professional development programs, which can help you advance your skills and knowledge in areas such as language teaching, curriculum development, and instructional technology. Sure, you could get this at home too, but it has been my experience that professional development is a focus for good international schools. This could also mean being sent off to overseas workshops.
My first workshop got me to Hong Kong which piqued my curiosity about it as a future destination. I couldn’t believe I was being sent to another country to learn more about my job.
And what about the students?
Teaching international students can be an exciting and rewarding experience that offers unique challenges and opportunities. As a teacher, you’ll be working with students from a variety of cultural backgrounds, languages, and educational systems, and you’ll have to adapt your teaching methods and strategies to meet their needs. I feel extremely privileged to teach the students that I do. I’m sure that they have taught me as much as I have taught them.
The students deserve their own blog post, so I’ll add that topic to my list. But generally, my experience is that they have been pretty great.
So that’s a pretty basic overview of why teaching in an international school could just be one of the best things that you can do in your life. It certainly was for me.
If you do take the plunge, you can expect it to be a little scary at first. You can expect some homesickness for a while. You will have challenges. But you will open a world of opportunity. You will make friends for life. You will create long-lasting memories. And you will see the world like you’ve never seen it before.
Go ahead. Just do it! You won’t regret it. And when you do, I hope our paths will cross.
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