Working as a coach abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working as a coach abroad like?

• As a coach abroad, you will help people - young people, adults, teams, or entire communities, set goals, find structure, and improve their well-being.
• This can range from mentoring young people in a shelter to supporting women's projects to coaching expat professionals struggling with culture shock or work stress.
• You could find yourself in a wide variety of settings:
• Wellness and community centers (Asia, Latin America)
• NGO projects focused on empowerment and well-being (Nepal, Cambodia, Uganda)
• Youth programs and after-school clubs (South Africa, Costa Rica)
• Sports and outdoor coaching projects (South Africa, Portugal, Bali)
• Migrant and expat well-being support (UAE, Singapore)
• What are typical tasks as a coach?
  • Individual coaching sessions (e.g., motivation, stress, well-being, life skills).
  • Facilitating group sessions: communication, social skills, teamwork.
  • Developing programs (e.g., self-confidence, soft skills, sports & exercise).
  • Observe, evaluate, and report on progress.
  • Work with local staff to ensure programs are culturally appropriate.
  • Sometimes also provide practical support (supervising activities, leading workshops).
• Working conditions: As with most positions, these vary significantly by type of work and location.
• In the NGO context, accommodation and meals are often provided, sometimes with a small stipend.
• Coaching in wellness or retreat centers involves accommodation, meals, and sometimes a salary or per-session fee, depending on the country.
• In sports and youth coaching, salaries vary, but there are often many opportunities for advancement.
• Expat coaching/wellbeing coaching is often the best-paid, but there are often higher requirements for experience and certification.
• In some countries, organizations expect a minimum stay of 3–6 months.
• You may also be asked to lead workshops or training for local staff.
• Good to know: cultures have different ways of communicating and discussing problems, which can take some getting used to. Setting boundaries is important for you and your client: as a coach, you're not a therapist, social worker, or rescue service.
• You often work interdisciplinary with educators, social workers, teachers, and psychologists.

What are the reasons for working as a coach abroad?

• To (learn to) be flexible: as a coach abroad, you learn to navigate cultures, communication styles, and unexpected situations.
• To deepen your empathy: you work with people with different backgrounds, challenges, and norms. You learn to listen not only to what someone says, but also to what they don't say, and to do so in a way that's respectful of the local culture.
• To be creative: not every organization has workbooks, Wi-Fi, or a whiteboard. Sometimes your coaching materials are: three chairs, a stick, and a local metaphor you only half-understand. You learn to solve problems with what you do have—and that works surprisingly well. 
• To become a persuasive and strong communicator: whether you are motivating a group of young people, training a team, or discussing an improvement plan with parents, your strength lies in communicating ideas clearly, respectfully, and positively.
• To improve your analysis: you will learn to recognize patterns, analyze problems, and quickly assess someone's true needs.

What skills and motivations do you need to work as a coach abroad?

• Acting professionally and with integrity: in social work, trust is paramount. You will practice daily maintaining boundaries, communicating honestly, and carefully handling personal stories, even when working in settings where protocols primarily consist of verbal agreements.
• Analyzing: it's important to be able to maintain an overview and see connections, so you can provide your client with an objective overview and bring calm to the situation.
• Empathy: taking people seriously and listening without judgment is essential.
• Planning: it might not be what immediately comes to mind, but planning is an important part of your work, especially if you work alone. People trust you and often look forward to your sessions, so it's important that these appointments are reliable.

What are the best countries and locations to work as a coach abroad?

• NGO and community coaching: Nepal, Cambodia, Uganda, South Africa, Tanzania.
• Youth coaching and sports coaching: South Africa, Costa Rica, Portugal, Bali (Indonesia).
• Wellness, retreat, and wellbeing coaching: Thailand, Bali, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica.
• Expat coaching / workplace wellbeing: Online, UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong.

What are the risks of working as a coach abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working as a coach abroad?
  • It is common for the work to be emotional demanding. Coaches often experience emotional strain. You see sadness, trauma or difficult home situations, which can lead to burnout.
  • There is often a lot of stress: due to responsibility, a strong sense of helpfulness, miscommunication or cultural and linguistic problems.
  • There is often a high workload: due to long days, staff shortages or intensive supervision.
• Are you insured while working as a coach?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance. As a self-employed person, you are fully responsible for your own insurance.
  • When you work, intern, or volunteer abroad and receive compensation or a salary, your local insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
  • See the pages on international insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.