The teaching abroad experience has many benefits. It makes stronger candidates for future employment, whether or not it is related to teaching. Teaching shows management and planning skills, which can easily transition into any employment position. Teaching in another culture makes you think outside the box, strengthens your interpersonal skills, and increases your perceptions. Job applicants who have worked in another country demonstrate flexibility and the ability to adapt. Many employers prefer people who have worked abroad, since they will generally know another language, and also have increased tolerance towards others and a better understanding of global issues. It is the perfect opportunity for recent college graduates or those embarking on a different career path – you can experience teaching without having to invest large chunks of money and time, which can help you better understand your career path or future educational needs.
Unexpected aspects of teaching abroad
One of the most unexpected aspects of teaching abroad is the quality relationships you will develop with your students. It often surprises first-time volunteers at how quickly they make lasting friendships. Teaching is also a job where you can see the difference you are making in someone’s life, which can be very rewarding, both professionally and personally.
Advice for prospective volunteer teachers
- Make connections with the students. Trust and comfort are inherent aspects of the English language classroom, so take advantage of that. The more people you know in the country, the better you will understand the culture.
- Sign on to the program with the intention of staying at least one year. Although some programs will offer 4-6-week positions, a minimum of a year is best for traveling within the country, strengthening your relationships with locals, learning the language, and meeting colleagues, and networking.
- Read about the city/country that you will be in. Volunteers to Quito, Ecuador, for instance, often make the mistake of not researching the weather. At 2900 m, Quito, although on the equator, is often quite chilly. Cultural conditions will also play a part in the type of clothing you should bring. Formality increases in Ecuador the further in from the coast you go. While shorts and t-shirts may be appropriate for some jobs in a coastal city such as Guayaquil, teachers in Quito are expected to be much more formal, with men likely to wear ties and women dress pants. Talk to others who have lived in the country, read about the cultural expectations, and have an understanding of how your culture is viewed – both in terms of the negative and positive aspects.
- Be aware of thieves. As a resident, you will quickly begin to feel more at home, but this does not mean you should let your guard down in terms of personal safety. Continue to take precautions, regardless of how long you have lived in your new home. To thieves and pickpockets, you will still look like a foreigner, thus increasing your chances of being robbed.
- Use your experience to network with others by volunteering at public schools or offering free services outside of your normal duties. Jump at opportunities to help with audio recordings of books or proofreading/translating for government organizations. Just be sure to set limits on your personal time so that you do not feel taken advantage of.
Related Articles: Volunteer Teaching in Ecuador
Paid to Travel: Teaching English by Tariq Elkashef
