Mixing The Job With Traveling: Teaching English Abroad
Having met several Americans and Britons who visited my country with the sole purpose of teaching their native language, I’ve soon realized that teaching English abroad is a perfect way to mix the job with the passion of traveling.
Planning to teach overseas is not that hard but you must remember certain things. Your passport should be valid for at least the length of your stay. You need to bring with you all the documents which prove you have the qualification to teach English (i.e. degree certificates, teacher certification and recommendation letters) and don’t forget the police clearance certificate either. Also, don’t forget the medical part; make sure your vaccinations are up to date and you bring medical records with you. Consider purchasing medical travel insurance for the length of your stay away. Always bring emergency numbers with you and your international driver’s license.
Before looking for cheap flights to Asia make sure to do your research about the country(ies) you’ll be teaching in. A phrasebook, a guidebook and a culture shock book should come in handy.
One of the perks of teaching abroad is that you get to know the children (and very often their families as well) which means you’ll learn about the country from the locals. And that’s something which traveling only for a week in a certain place surely cannot provide.
And your career will also benefit; teaching abroad surly adds a lot of experience to your resume and ensures more interesting experiences for the future.