I know that there are blogs out there, and I have read many of them, but I would like to know about the experiences of the people that use this forum.
The reason that I ask is that I am on the fence about teaching internationally. I live in the U.S. and have a pretty great life as it is. I have a stable teaching job that pays well with good benefits. I like the area where I currently live and am blessed with great friends. HOWEVER, I keep getting this pull in my gut towards travel and adventure. I want to see new places and meet new people. I want to explore, and eat, and be challenged.
Please write whatever you want or maybe answer these questions...
1. If you could go back in time, would you teach internationally or stay
at home?
2. Are you financially better off teaching internationally?
3. Has it been easy to make friends or has it been lonely away from home?
4. What have been your favorite countries/schools?
5. What are the best things about teaching internationally? What are the worst?
I think you in advance for any answers that come back to me.
Tell me your experiences.....
Re: Tell me your experiences.....
I think you need to go with your gut. Otherwise, once you're saddled with a spouse, kids, mortgage, it will be just that much harder to do this, and you'll always wonder what your life may have been like. This is how mid-life crises get started.
I am relatively new to international teaching, but have spent a lot of time away from my home country.
1. If you could go back in time, would you teach internationally or stay
at home?
Teach internationally. When I go home and talk to people who have never lived anywhere else, I realise how closed minded they are and how much of their mind view is formed by misinformation in the media. Living overseas is an enriching, wonderful, frustating, depressing, enlightening experience. The usual array of feelings you have at home is heightened when living overseas. It is a rollercoaster, thrilling, but sometimes the car comes off the tracks. Maximum highs and maximum lows.
2. Are you financially better off teaching internationally?
We couldn't make a living at home. Financially we were going backwards for four years. Now we save US$30,000 a year. Overseas wins financially.
3. Has it been easy to make friends or has it been lonely away from home?
We're a family surrounded by singles, so yes, this has been a bit of a problem. We really need to work harder on making friends.
4. What have been your favorite countries/schools?
I enjoyed Taiwan (as an ESL teacher). We lived in China and Japan before that and Taiwan was a nice balance between the two.
5. What are the best things about teaching internationally? What are the worst?
Not having my daughter's grandparents around (although all have visited this year) is a downside. The students in my school are a bit of a nightmare. Don't think that being in a private school means well-behaved students (not in this part of the world, anyway).
Positives - Being able to go on nice holidays three times a year and not having to struggle financially. Being able to spend quality time in our home country.
1. If you could go back in time, would you teach internationally or stay
at home?
Teach internationally. When I go home and talk to people who have never lived anywhere else, I realise how closed minded they are and how much of their mind view is formed by misinformation in the media. Living overseas is an enriching, wonderful, frustating, depressing, enlightening experience. The usual array of feelings you have at home is heightened when living overseas. It is a rollercoaster, thrilling, but sometimes the car comes off the tracks. Maximum highs and maximum lows.
2. Are you financially better off teaching internationally?
We couldn't make a living at home. Financially we were going backwards for four years. Now we save US$30,000 a year. Overseas wins financially.
3. Has it been easy to make friends or has it been lonely away from home?
We're a family surrounded by singles, so yes, this has been a bit of a problem. We really need to work harder on making friends.
4. What have been your favorite countries/schools?
I enjoyed Taiwan (as an ESL teacher). We lived in China and Japan before that and Taiwan was a nice balance between the two.
5. What are the best things about teaching internationally? What are the worst?
Not having my daughter's grandparents around (although all have visited this year) is a downside. The students in my school are a bit of a nightmare. Don't think that being in a private school means well-behaved students (not in this part of the world, anyway).
Positives - Being able to go on nice holidays three times a year and not having to struggle financially. Being able to spend quality time in our home country.
Re: Tell me your experiences.....
[quote="heyteach"]I think you need to go with your gut. Otherwise, once you're saddled with a spouse, kids, mortgage, it will be just that much harder to do this, and you'll always wonder what your life may have been like. This is how mid-life crises get started.[/quote]
That depends on your current situation at home. There are many families that just can't make ends meet. It's easier for families in this situation to make the decision........nothing to loose. That's where we were. We are, effectively, economic refugees.
That depends on your current situation at home. There are many families that just can't make ends meet. It's easier for families in this situation to make the decision........nothing to loose. That's where we were. We are, effectively, economic refugees.
1. If you could go back in time, would you teach internationally or stay
at home?
For financial reasons we would be teaching internationally, but for family sometimes I wonder whether we should have stayed put. By family I mean immediate family, multiple kids in university, and grandparents. Having kids go away to university can be wrenching even at home but to put them on a plane and not see them again for 6 months is hard, as is not seeing parents more than once a year. I am sure that there are parents out there that do it better than us, but for us it is difficult.
2. Are you financially better off teaching internationally?
We were constantly in the red at home, a big day was payday which took our bank account back to 0. You might be thinking we were typical North American consumers but other than a mortgage and car loan we didn't have credit card debt and we didn't take extravagant holidays. I don't know where the money went (well I do and unfortunately it wasn't that exciting). Now we are paying for kids' university educations and putting money away for retirement.
3. Has it been easy to make friends or has it been lonely away from home?
It depends, at our current school-a large Asia school-we are finding it more difficult than at previous schools which were a fraction of the size. I think large schools offer more opportunities for younger couples with smaller children to socialize, whereas smaller schools don't necessarily offer those opportunities and families of all ages tend to socialize together, IMHO.
4. What have been your favorite countries/schools?
Teaching in Eastern Europe was amazing. The travel opportunities, the outdoor opportunities and history that I enjoy were unparalleled. China is fun, but living in a big city like Beijing has a cost and I'm getting a little tired of paying :)
5. What are the best things about teaching internationally? What are the worst?
The opportunity to travel and see and do things that otherwise wouldn't be possible is the best thing. The worst comes after a long day at school and having something cultural thrown in your face, like the driving habits of some people.
at home?
For financial reasons we would be teaching internationally, but for family sometimes I wonder whether we should have stayed put. By family I mean immediate family, multiple kids in university, and grandparents. Having kids go away to university can be wrenching even at home but to put them on a plane and not see them again for 6 months is hard, as is not seeing parents more than once a year. I am sure that there are parents out there that do it better than us, but for us it is difficult.
2. Are you financially better off teaching internationally?
We were constantly in the red at home, a big day was payday which took our bank account back to 0. You might be thinking we were typical North American consumers but other than a mortgage and car loan we didn't have credit card debt and we didn't take extravagant holidays. I don't know where the money went (well I do and unfortunately it wasn't that exciting). Now we are paying for kids' university educations and putting money away for retirement.
3. Has it been easy to make friends or has it been lonely away from home?
It depends, at our current school-a large Asia school-we are finding it more difficult than at previous schools which were a fraction of the size. I think large schools offer more opportunities for younger couples with smaller children to socialize, whereas smaller schools don't necessarily offer those opportunities and families of all ages tend to socialize together, IMHO.
4. What have been your favorite countries/schools?
Teaching in Eastern Europe was amazing. The travel opportunities, the outdoor opportunities and history that I enjoy were unparalleled. China is fun, but living in a big city like Beijing has a cost and I'm getting a little tired of paying :)
5. What are the best things about teaching internationally? What are the worst?
The opportunity to travel and see and do things that otherwise wouldn't be possible is the best thing. The worst comes after a long day at school and having something cultural thrown in your face, like the driving habits of some people.
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overseasvet2
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:50 pm
Teaching overseas
First of all, thanks for posting these thought provoking questions. It's been interesting to read the reflections of others.
[i]1. If you could go back in time, would you teach internationally or stay
at home?[/i] I am very happy I had time in the "trenches" in the States. It puts lots into perspective while in the international schools. We've been abroad 15 years and never regretted it. For our first post, we took a leave from our district in the States so we did have the fall back if we had decided it wasn't for us.
[i]2. Are you financially better off teaching internationally?[/i] Yes, yes, yes! The only thing we're lacking is having some type of pension and/or health care coverage before Medicare kicks in. We can save one salary for retirement and have a home paid for in the States.
[i]3. Has it been easy to make friends or has it been lonely away from home? [/i]We're a couple so it's easier. Some schools have had a more social culture than others. Facebook and other social media makes it easy to keep in touch with stateside daily life. With aging parents, we do go home more often and now wonder if we want to stay out until we retire. We would like to enjoy all that is life at home.
[i]4. What have been your favorite countries/schools? [/i]We've been in three very different regions and each has its pluses and minuses. Personally I've enjoyed the smaller schools more - less money but nicer atmosphere. Not quite as frantic.
[i]
5. What are the best things about teaching internationally? What are the worst? [/i]
Best - travel, financial security, understanding the perspectives of others,
developing an understanding for different cultures
Worst - realizing just how ridiculous US politics looks to the rest of the world; the risk of moving on - you have to quit your job before securing another;the settling in period at a new school: re-establishing credibility and relationships
[i]1. If you could go back in time, would you teach internationally or stay
at home?[/i] I am very happy I had time in the "trenches" in the States. It puts lots into perspective while in the international schools. We've been abroad 15 years and never regretted it. For our first post, we took a leave from our district in the States so we did have the fall back if we had decided it wasn't for us.
[i]2. Are you financially better off teaching internationally?[/i] Yes, yes, yes! The only thing we're lacking is having some type of pension and/or health care coverage before Medicare kicks in. We can save one salary for retirement and have a home paid for in the States.
[i]3. Has it been easy to make friends or has it been lonely away from home? [/i]We're a couple so it's easier. Some schools have had a more social culture than others. Facebook and other social media makes it easy to keep in touch with stateside daily life. With aging parents, we do go home more often and now wonder if we want to stay out until we retire. We would like to enjoy all that is life at home.
[i]4. What have been your favorite countries/schools? [/i]We've been in three very different regions and each has its pluses and minuses. Personally I've enjoyed the smaller schools more - less money but nicer atmosphere. Not quite as frantic.
[i]
5. What are the best things about teaching internationally? What are the worst? [/i]
Best - travel, financial security, understanding the perspectives of others,
developing an understanding for different cultures
Worst - realizing just how ridiculous US politics looks to the rest of the world; the risk of moving on - you have to quit your job before securing another;the settling in period at a new school: re-establishing credibility and relationships
Wouldnt change anything
I wouldnt change anything, but first I hear where your coming from and internationally teaching isnt the same as international travel. Working overseas isnt the same as being a tourist. Aside from nearby weekend trips, and the city your in, you dont have the time to really travel, because you an really only do it during breaks.
1. If you could go back in time, would you teach internationally or stay at home?
Internationally, the students are better, and the pay is better. A lot of people comment about the places, experiences, they have and those are all great, but you could have those with any overseas job. What makes the difference between teaching in a public school back home and internationally is the students for me. They are simply, brighter, more resourceful, and motivated. We dont have anything like the behavioral problems youd find back in the states, and to make a career of anything I want whatever it is im doing for work to be the least painful as can be.
2. Are you financially better off teaching internationally?
Well right now Im about the same. Europe (Denmark) has pretty high taxes compared to what id have to pay bak in the States, over 40%. Since being in Europe I havent gotten a housing package, so id be paying rent/utilities either way. I dont own a car here so that saves on transportation costs, as public transportation is very inexpensive and efficient.
Thats not to say that there arent many places you can go such as Asia, where you can really BANK serious money. All of your housing expenses are covered and your making a salary twice what you would in the states and its very, very cheap to live off the economy (exceptions being Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong).
The biggest issue would be retirement. If you dont stay in one place, even in countries that have a pension plan, you arent going to either be there long enough to get vested or to collect benefits, and it sounds like you want to move around and travel??? Asia usually gives you a cash bonus every year which you can invest how you want, but youd have to really dedicate a portion of your own salary to build a reasonable retirement account.
3. Has it been easy to make friends or has it been lonely away from home?
Well Im a single guy, and i make friends pretty quickly. I stay in touch with most of the people I have met. Ive fallen in love at least once in every school Ive been at, and in many places especially in asia, being the white american certainly has its benefits socially.
When you leave though and you do leave, your friends and relationships sort of take a back burner, and you dont stay in contact as much as you used too. Language and cultural differences also present problems in some cultures when it comes to building friendships with locals. I cant think of anyone who would help me burry a body.
4. What have been your favorite countries/schools?
Rome tops out as my favorite. Ive liked all the places ive been (EXCEPT Cairo, hated that place with a passion). if I had to pick a place of the schools Ive been to too retire, it would be Japan (Kyoto)
5. What are the best things about teaching internationally? What are the worst?
The best is the freedom and money to live well. International teachers either live VERY well or do as well as any other professional occupation. My friends and family back in the USA complain weekly about bills and how much things cost. I really dont worry about that at all. I also dont feel the need to "nest", international teachers are a pretty mobile group.
The worst, probabley always feeling at some level that im an outsider, a visitor, being transient, because really unless i get married, I cant see myself staying here forever and everyone pretty much knows that because its the same for them.
1. If you could go back in time, would you teach internationally or stay at home?
Internationally, the students are better, and the pay is better. A lot of people comment about the places, experiences, they have and those are all great, but you could have those with any overseas job. What makes the difference between teaching in a public school back home and internationally is the students for me. They are simply, brighter, more resourceful, and motivated. We dont have anything like the behavioral problems youd find back in the states, and to make a career of anything I want whatever it is im doing for work to be the least painful as can be.
2. Are you financially better off teaching internationally?
Well right now Im about the same. Europe (Denmark) has pretty high taxes compared to what id have to pay bak in the States, over 40%. Since being in Europe I havent gotten a housing package, so id be paying rent/utilities either way. I dont own a car here so that saves on transportation costs, as public transportation is very inexpensive and efficient.
Thats not to say that there arent many places you can go such as Asia, where you can really BANK serious money. All of your housing expenses are covered and your making a salary twice what you would in the states and its very, very cheap to live off the economy (exceptions being Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong).
The biggest issue would be retirement. If you dont stay in one place, even in countries that have a pension plan, you arent going to either be there long enough to get vested or to collect benefits, and it sounds like you want to move around and travel??? Asia usually gives you a cash bonus every year which you can invest how you want, but youd have to really dedicate a portion of your own salary to build a reasonable retirement account.
3. Has it been easy to make friends or has it been lonely away from home?
Well Im a single guy, and i make friends pretty quickly. I stay in touch with most of the people I have met. Ive fallen in love at least once in every school Ive been at, and in many places especially in asia, being the white american certainly has its benefits socially.
When you leave though and you do leave, your friends and relationships sort of take a back burner, and you dont stay in contact as much as you used too. Language and cultural differences also present problems in some cultures when it comes to building friendships with locals. I cant think of anyone who would help me burry a body.
4. What have been your favorite countries/schools?
Rome tops out as my favorite. Ive liked all the places ive been (EXCEPT Cairo, hated that place with a passion). if I had to pick a place of the schools Ive been to too retire, it would be Japan (Kyoto)
5. What are the best things about teaching internationally? What are the worst?
The best is the freedom and money to live well. International teachers either live VERY well or do as well as any other professional occupation. My friends and family back in the USA complain weekly about bills and how much things cost. I really dont worry about that at all. I also dont feel the need to "nest", international teachers are a pretty mobile group.
The worst, probabley always feeling at some level that im an outsider, a visitor, being transient, because really unless i get married, I cant see myself staying here forever and everyone pretty much knows that because its the same for them.
"What makes the difference between teaching in a public school back home and internationally is the students for me. They are simply, brighter, more resourceful, and motivated. We dont have anything like the behavioral problems youd find back in the states"
That isn't true for all international students. There are places in the world where behaviour is equal to or worse than back home.
That isn't true for all international students. There are places in the world where behaviour is equal to or worse than back home.
True
True there are always exceptions, but back in the states to teach at a good private school would mean settling for $35K a year where the public schools (where the problem students are) would pay $50K. That said, and i cant speak for everywhere but even a bad international school isnt anywhere near the "bad" an inner city public school could be. Where talking school districts with their own SWAT teams and gang task forces. Where you have a 5th grader pregnant with her brothers baby, kids parents who are drug dealers, and thats not counting the over all general abuse and neglect.
Aside from that and its been some years since ive been back in the States but in my years overseas ive NEVER had kids that were less motivated in general then those back in the USA. Behavior problems just arent on the same scale. I think we get maybe at MOST 1 office referral a day school wide, and its usually for something minor like a dress code violation...
Aside from that and its been some years since ive been back in the States but in my years overseas ive NEVER had kids that were less motivated in general then those back in the USA. Behavior problems just arent on the same scale. I think we get maybe at MOST 1 office referral a day school wide, and its usually for something minor like a dress code violation...
I feel like I need to come to the defense of North American schools as they are all being lumped together. Of course there are many issues with teaching in the North American system, but with 15 years experience in a middle school I can tell you that I had far more rewarding experiences than negative experiences. I also have 11 years experience teaching at international schools and I have had more rewarding experiences than negative experiences but lets not paint all international classroom experiences with the same brush. If you don't have classroom management skills in North America, they aren't going to suddenly appear overseas and just because the students seem more compliant doesn't mean they are not scheming behind your back. Sometimes I long for the blatant issues I had in North America rather than the slimy dishonesty I occasionally find in my classroom today.
We came overseas for the money and the experience, not to get away from the students or the educational system.
We came overseas for the money and the experience, not to get away from the students or the educational system.
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flyingrob31
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:31 pm
Thanks to all of you for the very thoughtful responses thus far. I find it all very interesting to read. If you have been following this post and haven't chimed in yet, please do.
Psyguy brought up a pretty interesting point about falling in love in each country. I am 38, currently single, and wouldn't mind finding a wife abroad. That would not be a goal or why I am traveling but I would not be opposed to it. Have any of you found the love of your life overseas? Or do the cultural differences just make that impractical?
Psyguy brought up a pretty interesting point about falling in love in each country. I am 38, currently single, and wouldn't mind finding a wife abroad. That would not be a goal or why I am traveling but I would not be opposed to it. Have any of you found the love of your life overseas? Or do the cultural differences just make that impractical?
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liketotravel
- Posts: 105
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:58 pm
I'm a single man in the same age range and have lived in several countries where it's very easy to meet beautiful and engaging women. Many countries you're a rock star and in an instant you can meet the girl of your dream, but there are many pitfalls that go with it. Dating has the same challenges that can be found back home, but in most instances cultural and language barriers to go along with it. I've known many expats meet and marry a local and then it blow up in their face due to the above reasons. Some of them have moved them to other countries and divorce follows quickly. The best advice would be to take the same cautions you would at home which would be to take your time, have patience and not exploit your new found powers and there would be no question you could meet that person you're looking for.
Well said
I couldnt have said it better or more succinctly.
I should have added that Ive fallen in love at every school ive been too, and ive always hit the bottom. A lot of guys get this rock star ego trip going, and dont realize that yeah shes the girl of your dreams, but for happilly ever after you still have to make the relationship work for the rest of your life. Couples always say the most important part of keeping a relationship happy is communication, try doing that when neither of you is fluent in the others language.
Im jealous though because I do know guys who have made it work (with there dream girl) and they couldnt be happier.
I should have added that Ive fallen in love at every school ive been too, and ive always hit the bottom. A lot of guys get this rock star ego trip going, and dont realize that yeah shes the girl of your dreams, but for happilly ever after you still have to make the relationship work for the rest of your life. Couples always say the most important part of keeping a relationship happy is communication, try doing that when neither of you is fluent in the others language.
Im jealous though because I do know guys who have made it work (with there dream girl) and they couldnt be happier.