10 Reasons to Consider Working Abroad

A recent study conducted in the UK by the research organisation GfK NOP Engage revealed that 27% of working age Britons would move abroad to work, if it enabled them to advance their career status.

This data comes on the back of statistics compiled by Currencies.co.uk, that recently revealed up to a third of British employees would consider leaving the country within the next five years to pursue better career prospects abroad.

Those from all walks of life and educational backgrounds are clearly being encouraged to look abroad for work related reasons because of the poor state of the economy in the UK, and the lack of job security in any sector in Britain.

These are reasons to potentially consider working abroad, but as a teacher perhaps you’re less impacted by the negative state of affairs in the UK, and you need more positive reasons to encourage you to take the exciting step of moving abroad to work?

If that’s the case, here are 10 good reasons to consider teaching abroad: -

1)      Working abroad gives you invaluable experience.  You will see how other schools run, you may be exposed to new curricula and teaching methods, and the experience of teaching in an international environment will benefit you by adding to your skill set.

2)      Employers value international work experience highly.  In any employment sector international employment experience is prized.  Employers know it leads to a well-rounded employee who can bring the likes of excellent problem solving skills to the table for example.

3)      Teaching abroad broadens your cultural horizons.  You will experience first hand how other cultures live, work and learn – and you will gain from the experience.

4)      Teaching is a portable, in-demand skill that can enable you to live and work anywhere.  If you have a desire to live in different countries around the world, your teaching skills can enable you to do so and get paid for the privilege.

5)      Teachers are in-demand globally.  You have an extremely transferrable skill.

6)      International schools are increasing in number – therefore opportunities to teach abroad are increasing.  This is fantastic news as it means you can find jobs almost anywhere in the world as a teacher, and get to work in an array of excellent institutions.

7)      If you have a desire to travel and see the world, teaching can enable you to fulfil your dreams.  Many teachers in international schools only take short-term contracts to enable them to fulfil their travel dreams.

8)      A stint working abroad can heighten your understanding of the world and lead to new opportunities.  You may only plan on working abroad for the short-term, but who knows where your experiences will lead you.  Opportunities open up all the time for the open-minded who go abroad to work.

9)      You will meet many new people and make a lot of good friends.  This is a massive benefit of teaching abroad…you will make friends for life from all backgrounds and all walks of life.

10)   Teaching abroad is rewarding and challenging in equal measures, so you will gain a great deal from the experience in terms of your own personal development.

By Rhiannon Davies, editor of www.ShelterOffshore.com, the online resource for those who wants to live, work or retire abroad which features living abroad information, news and advice.

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