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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Working abroad - what is your experience?

17 replies

joliejoleen · 02/02/2020 12:10

I am in my 4th year of teaching and looking for a change. Those of you who work abroad in places like the ME, China, Thailand etc. What has your experience been like so far? What's the work life balance like? Can you live comfortably on one salary?

OP posts:
Eledamorena · 03/02/2020 12:53

I'm working in Thailand and have friends who work or have worked in both China and the ME. Obviously they are very varied locations but in general, most teachers who work abroad love it! Many go for an adventure for a few years and never go back to their home country.

In any of the locations mentioned you could live on one salary if you were on a very good package (so a top school) but it wouldn't necessarily be easy... depends on your lifestyle and if you have kids.

Most schools will offer a huge subsidy or entirely free places for your kids but this is often capped at 2. School fees can be crazy so this is a factor if you have 3+!! Some will not include such generous subsidies, you have to be sure before you can do any maths on your living expenses etc.

In Thailand we have great weather if you like hot and humid, but air quality is rough one and off for a few months of the year. It's worse in most Chinese cities, though.

We have a LOT of international schools in Thailand so the chances of finding a suitable job are high. Lots of people start their international teaching careers in Thailand and can then move on once they've got some experience.

Bangkok is a busy, dirty city with terrible traffic but great public transport. It isn't as cheap as people think in terms of accommodation etc but food is great and cheap, unless you eat at high end places and shop in expat supermarkets...!

Medical care is fantastic but you need insurance (should be provided by the school, if not you don't want to work there).

Access to islands and beaches is a huge bonus for many people, but also access to so many great locations across Asia. I have small children and a husband with very limited holiday so I'm not that adventurous, but my teacher friends go away every holiday to Thai islands, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, HK etc. There's a lot of travelling to be done here if that's what you're into!

It can be very difficult for a spouse to find work, depends on their industry. Some industries are strictly prohibited for foreigners (including most trades and skilled work) and all industries/companies are strictly limited as to how many foreigners they can hire. You pretty much HAVE to have a degree to get a work visa. Obviously a lot of people are working unofficially and not declaring it, or working online.

Nanny/helper culture is the norm here, and if you have kids that is a total game changer. If you don't, you can still have a part time cleaner who does your ironing and maybe your shopping or cooking. Most people do. I'm a little ashamed to say that I now cannot imagine life without a helper! Mine is a nanny who happens to do a bit of cleaning if she has time rather than one of those magical, all-singing, all-dancing helpers that do apparently exist, but she is devoted to my children and it's a joy to watch them together. She lives with us which also means both my husband and I can work without having to constantly consider who does which school run and who can be back for tea. I'm expecting a third child now and cannot imagine how both my husband and I would have careers if we lived in the UK. We couldn't afford to both work when I had my second, which is ridiculous given we are both professionals on sensible salaries.

We have no plans to go back to the UK... life for us right now is great. I have some frustrations in my job but they are different from in the UK. You do have to be quite resilient and open-minded to get along in a school abroad, more so in some locations (e.g. China would be more of an adjustment than ME or Thailand, I would say).

My life outside work is simply not comparable with how it was in the UK... here I can afford to go out with friends, I live in a great house with amazing neighbours and my kids play out unsupervised (and they are both under 5!) because it's a secure compound and the older kids hang out with the younger ones, we don't spend much on days out etc although there are all the usual cinema, ice skating, kids play places available, because we can go swimming every day and play outside all year round. A walk to the market up the road - and all the things they see there - is way more fun than a walk to the corner shop in the UK!

I'm the sort of person who always has itchy feet so will always be looking for the next move, but my husband would happily stay here, in our current jobs and current house, indefinitely!

I've waffled on a lot but if you have any specific questions, please do ask!

ploughingthrough · 05/02/2020 13:05

I work in Singapore. I earn vastly more money salary wise, and I have my accomodation paid as well as school fees for my two children. The school works us hard- earlier starts and occasional weekend commitments. With the above described benefits we are able to live off 1 salary and save the other which is way more than we could at home.
Downsides - it's a long way from home and we miss friends and family.
Upsides - weather, money , excellent Professional Development , my kids are getting an amazing education for free, we travel to amazing places in the holidays.
I would recommend it!

Penyu · 05/02/2020 13:22

Both replies above are spot on. There are lots of things to consider though.. Mainly, can you handle loving away from the UK for at least two years (some schools now ask for a three year commitment, be wary of these 😳)

I live in Malaysia, have done a few different countries in the international teaching circuit.
If you have dependents, this could make you a more expensive hire. Two kids are usually ok, but three or more would make things difficult as you may end up having to pay school fees etc
Teaching couples are desirable!

Join the international schools review website, it cost about $30 and it really worth it as to be honest, the vast majority of international schools are truly shocking places (think withheld pay, firing staff on the spot, no resources, corrupt exams and assessments, leadership bowing down to rich and powerful parents, honestly you couldn't make it up.) And if you are tied into a two or three year contract then you are really stuck as if you leave, you will be breaking contact and basically unemployable to other schools.

The best ones are... The best in the world. Fantastic facilities and resources, good salaries, free child places flights, rental in lovely apartments or houses with pools etc, great medical, travel opportunities etc.

It is considered bad form to ask immediately about package at interview or before (although this is what everyone wants to know) which is why the ISR website is worth it.

Very soon, you will see lots of jobs in China as I predict lots of people leaving there. Lots of international schools are shut now and no-one knows what will happen. This will put pressure on vacancies in other countries, competition will hot up!
We are actually almost at the end of the recruitment season for international schools, so if you are going to go for it, then get your CV in shape and get applying!
Good luck!

joliejoleen · 05/02/2020 18:59

Thank you so so much for your kind replies!
Can I ask, what is your day to day workload like? Marking? What is the behaviour like?

OP posts:
ploughingthrough · 05/02/2020 21:01

Marking similar to at home, but less students in a class. I can't speak for other schools but parental expectations in my bit of Asia are very high so behaviour is good.

joliejoleen · 05/02/2020 22:44

Would you say the work life balance is better than in the UK?

OP posts:
ploughingthrough · 06/02/2020 01:15

Not really, but I have more holidays and more autonomy so that's enough for me.

Eledamorena · 06/02/2020 08:18

My work life balance is better in that when I'm not at work, I'm swimming with my kids or taking them out to eat, rather than trawling round the supermarket or having a rainy walk...! Workload can vary massively depending on the school. I don't feel overworked compared to previous roles in the UK but I know some people do.

Eledamorena · 06/02/2020 08:21

For context - my hours are 7.30 - 2.30 with a short lunch. Meetings and other commitments e.g. clubs go to 3.30 or 4pm but not every day.

Today I left school at 2.45... And I will do very little work this evening as we break up for half term tomorrow. But I do usually work every evening after my kids are in bed. Others will stay at work til 4 every day and take very little home.

Iusedtobeapartygirl · 06/02/2020 14:29

I worked in SE Asia for 3 years. I had a class of 20 and a full time TA, plus parents who generally respected teachers and education.

I had a flat paid for, fully furnished and equipped, private medical care, a return flight home every year and a good salary. I earned less than in the UK but enough. I was able to save over half my salary.

I travelled all over Asia, to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Japan, Singapore, plus Australia. I visited local beach resorts during some weekends.

I wasn't worn out in the evening so was able to go to the gym or go out to eat or for coffee after work most days.

I had a wonderful experience, my classes were lovely, I made great friends, travelled all over and even saved money.

I would definitely recommend it.

Iusedtobeapartygirl · 06/02/2020 14:31

Oh and I swam in the school outdoor pool every day, which was possible in the SE Asian climate.

joliejoleen · 06/02/2020 20:09

Wow, yet again, I cannot thank you enough for your replies. I'm going to spend this weekend researching schools and applying for jobs 😁

OP posts:
Hannah654321 · 03/12/2021 12:45

@eledamorena are you still active on mumsnet? I just wanted to ask a few questions about Thailand:)
Also, op if you are still active did you decide to make the move?

eledamorena · 04/12/2021 04:56

@Hannah654321 yes, I'm still here! Feel free to send me a PM

Hannah654321 · 04/12/2021 13:46

Thank you!! Will pm you now :)

RedRum27 · 27/12/2021 10:31

@Penyu hi sorry to jump on this thread but saw your comment about couples are desirable. How do you get that across to the school if there’s only one job advertised? Is it the norm to mention that you are also looking for a job in xxx subject for a partner or do you apply for schools where both jobs are being offered?

Hannah654321 · 27/12/2021 20:19

[quote RedRum27]@Penyu hi sorry to jump on this thread but saw your comment about couples are desirable. How do you get that across to the school if there’s only one job advertised? Is it the norm to mention that you are also looking for a job in xxx subject for a partner or do you apply for schools where both jobs are being offered?[/quote]
From my search so far there is usually a part of the application that says if you have a teacher partner and what subject they teach.
At the moment we have only applied for jobs if they have vacancies for both our subjects... when we get more desperate we will apply for separate schools 😅

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