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

What is working at a school abroad like?

• Working at a school abroad means becoming part of a learning environment where rules often differ from those you're used to.
• Sometimes it's tightly organized, sometimes delightfully chaotic, and sometimes both at once.
• You can work as a teacher, teaching assistant, sports coach, care worker, administrative assistant, or project worker.
• Schools range from local primary and secondary schools to international schools, private schools, and NGO educational projects.
• Your workdays usually consist of teaching, supervising, organizing, supporting, and above all: transitioning.
• Responsibilities:
  • Teaching (theory, practical, language, sports, or creative subjects).
  • Supporting in the classroom or with individual students.
  • Supervising sports, cultural, or after-school activities.
  • Developing teaching materials.
  • Administrative or organizational tasks.
  • Supporting care or guidance programs.
• Working conditions:
  • The work can be paid employment, an internship, or volunteer work.
  • Salaries are usually local and highly dependent on the country and type of school.
  • Sometimes the school offers room and board or other compensation.
  • Contracts are often temporary or project-based.
  • Work weeks can be intensive, especially around tests or events.
• A unique aspect of working at schools abroad is that you often wear multiple hats at once: teacher, coach, confidential counselor, and sometimes even the IT helpdesk.

What are the reasons for working at a school abroad?

• To develop engagement: you work with students and colleagues daily and quickly become part of a community.
• To strengthen communication skills: you learn to explain things clearly, even when language and culture differ.
• To train flexibility: school days rarely run exactly according to plan, especially not abroad.
• To develop creativity: teaching and coaching often require improvisation with limited resources.
• To increase self-awareness: working in a school system that is different from what you are used to, you quickly demonstrate how you function under pressure.

What skills and motivations do you need to work at a school abroad?

• Communication skills: the ability to communicate clearly, patiently, and understandably.
• Flexibility: managing changing schedules, rules, and expectations.
• Empathy: taking cultural and social differences into account.
• Organizational skills: maintaining an overview in a sometimes chaotic environment.
• Independence: finding your way without constant guidance.

What are the best countries and locations to work at a school abroad?

• Countries with a high level of volunteer work and internships: Nepal, Cambodia, Ghana, India, and Guatemala.
• Countries with paid employment in education: China, South Korea, the Middle East, Suriname, Japan, Australia,  and many more.
• International and private schools: Spain, France, Italy, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

What are the risks of working at a school abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working at/at a school abroad?
  • Health risks are common: children are often ill, so infections, childhood illnesses, and poor hygiene pose risks.
  • Medical care is often expensive or difficult to access, especially in countries where healthcare is more limited.
  • Workload is often high: long hours, numerous responsibilities, and few breaks.
  • Emotional strain is common, due to problems with students or cultural differences in interactions.
• Are you insured while working at a school abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you're doing work with which you have little experience.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
  • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.