Planning Your Move Abroad

Having acquired brand new Teaching English as a Foreign Language skills from i-to-i TEFL, the world really will be your oyster.  A TEFL qualification is perhaps the most transferable skill you can obtain, because it can take you anywhere in the world and enable you to find well paying work to support your brand new life abroad.

Those who choose to learn TEFL and become English teachers quickly discover that their new qualifications are in demand in locations as far apart and diverse as Argentina and Zambia – thus allowing them to fulfil long held dreams of moving to live and work in different locations around the world.

Once you have your qualifications you’ll probably be very keen to make the move abroad as soon as possible, but there are certain steps in the planning process that you need to be aware of to ensure your relocation overseas is a successful one. 

This guide to planning your move abroad from Shelter Offshore.com will help you every step of the way…

Step One – Pick the Right Country!

Because TEFL is such an in demand qualification, theoretically you can move to live and work anywhere in the world, however, you need to base your country choice on your own expectations and desires.

For example, if you’re moving abroad with your family in tow, it may be important for you to pick a destination that’s safe, where educational standards for children are high, and where you can have affordable access to decent healthcare.

On the other hand, if you’re after a very laid back existence where there is a strong socialising aspect at the heart of the expatriate community, a wholly different destination may suit you!

In other words, you need to think long and hard about what you want to get out of your move overseas, and then pick the right country to match your expectations and desires.

Step Two – Try Before You Buy…

If you’re thinking of making your move abroad a long-term or even permanent one, you should visit your chosen country before you commit to a relocation.

Countries can market and advertise themselves very effectively, however the reality may be far distant from your expectations – so visit before you make your move.

Step Three – Money Matters

Before you move ensure you have your money matters in order.  It makes sense to have a contingency fund in the bank to help you out in case your cost of living proves to be more expensive than expected, or to get you a flight out or a flight home if you discover you don’t actually like your new life abroad!

Chances are, this contingency fund won’t be used for such negative reasons, but by having a small sum in the bank you will have peace of mind.

Think about how you will manage your money once you’re living abroad, there will be all sorts of new savings opportunities available to you to make the very most of any excess salary you have.  You can use your time overseas to get ahead in the financial race, and ensure you have some money saved so that you can use it to buy a house or fund your pension one day.

Step Four – Make Friends

When you relocate anywhere you inevitably leave friends and perhaps even family behind…this can make it initially hard to feel ‘at home’ in your new destination.  However, the quickest way to beat any feelings of loneliness or homesickness is to get out and start meeting people straight away.

Speak to colleagues and neighbours, find out where to go to socialise with like-minded people.  Take advantage of any invitations you’re offered to mingle and meet new faces, and no matter how shy you are or how much you perhaps dislike going out alone, just force yourself through the door a couple of times and very quickly you’ll start building your new network of friends.

Step Five – Love Your New Life Living Abroad

TEFL is a brilliant qualification to have – it can take you anywhere and it can put you in front of people from all ages and many different backgrounds.  It can enable you to work abroad and earn a decent salary, and it can be a truly rewarding career choice…

So, no matter where you end up living and teaching, it is essential that you make the very most of your good fortune and explore your new nation as much as you can.  Get out there and see the sights, make friends and meet new challenges, new opportunities and new people.

If you want to learn more about living abroad visit Shelter Offshore.com

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