Do you want to relocate to another country and teach abroad?
Will you be relocating with a family/dependant?
If yes, then this is the perfect guide for you! Before you start applying for teaching jobs overseas, here are some things you must know to help you prepare:
- 1. Research, research, research!
We get many families contacting us about teaching positions abroad but are unsure about where they want to go or international relocation, especially with a partner and young dependents or house pets. This is where you start researching the countries you are interested to transition to, the city life, the education system, the different international schools, the cost of living, any language barriers, environment, laws, and government to see if this will suit you and your family’s needs. This is where you will also, need to research available jobs for your partner to ensure they will find a job in their career and to keep a smooth transition for both of you if they don’t have a degree then it can be difficult to find a suitable job as most places internationally only recognise degree but they may accept non-degree; the pay may not be up to the standard. If only you are going to be working and your partner will be dependent, then you must research the cost of living and do your budget planning so you will not struggle later. For single parents, if you are planning to teach abroad with your kids then you need to get written permission from the other parent that confirms they are happy for the child to relocate with you to the other country. Due to different country regulations and schools, some single mothers have had problems in this matter, but many have moved successfully as they were able to get permission from a male figure in the family who also works for different countries depending.
- 2. Accommodation
Some of the clients will provide decent accommodation for themselves and if they are happy, they may even provide your family with return flight tickets. But some clients may not so it’s always good to plan and check online prior to relocating. Certain schools will help you find nice accommodation around to make your relocation as smooth and comfortable as possible. Rents and housing can be expensive in popular cities so make sure your school provides a rent allowance or even better gives the housing free.
- 3. Finding the right school for your children
If your school is already providing a tuition allowance or a discount, then you don’t need to worry about your child studying at your school easily but if their school isn’t providing it then it is very important to find the appropriate school that suits your child. You can research all the international schools in the country as a government school will not be the right fit so your child can adapt to an international and bilingual curriculum.
- 4. Plan for the upcoming years
Moving abroad is a big change especially when you are not coming alone, you must think about the change for everyone coming along with you. It’s important to research as much as possible and plan accordingly to avoid any problems in the future. It’s good to know how long you’ll be staying in this new country and if your children are older then eventually, they will be going to university and if you want to avoid international fees then you need to consider them going back to continue their study. A right plan must be in place to consider the present and future changes. Once you have a full plan in place and have an idea then everything will go smoothly, and things will not unexpected when you have moved over there.