One of the first questions teachers ask when they start considering international teaching is:

“What’s the best country to teach in?”

But after eight years of teaching internationally, I think there’s a better question:

What’s the best country for YOU?

Because the destination that works for a single teacher focused on saving aggressively may not be the same destination that works for a teacher moving abroad with a spouse and two children.

And that’s okay...

Choosing where to teach internationally isn’t just about finding a beautiful country on a map. You’re choosing where you’ll live, work, build community, spend your money, and experience everyday life.

Here are a few things I recommend thinking about before you start applying.

1. Start With the Life You Want

Before researching schools, think about what you actually want your life abroad to look like.

Do you want a large, fast-paced city? Somewhere quieter? Easy access to beaches and outdoor activities? A place that ma...

International school hiring season can begin as early as October, with recruitment gaining momentum throughout the fall and winter.

If teaching abroad is on your radar for next school year, now is the time to get your CV and cover letter ready, not when the job postings start appearing.

Before hiring season picks up, pull up your current CV and ask yourself:

If an international school recruiter looked at my CV today, would they quickly understand why I’m someone they should interview?

Because having the right qualifications and knowing how to present them are two different things.

Your CV Is More Than Your Teaching History

You have the degree.

You have your teaching certification.

You have classroom experience.

But international schools may be reviewing applications from educators with different certifications, curricula, educational systems, and professional backgrounds.

Your job is to make your experience easy to understand.

Don't make a recruiter search your CV to figure ...

If you had told me years ago that I'd be teaching in the Middle East, I probably would've laughed.

Like many American teachers, I assumed my career would always be in the United States. I earned my degree, accepted a teaching position in Texas, and poured everything I had into my students.

I taught state-tested grades, and if you've ever done that, you know the pressure is relentless. Every lesson, every benchmark, every decision seemed to revolve around a test score. I loved my students, but I was exhausted.

The burnout was real.

At the time, I was single, had no children, and started asking myself a question that many educators quietly wonder:

Is this really what the next 30 years of my life are supposed to look like?

A Conversation That Changed Everything

Around that time, I met someone who had taught internationally.

Until then, I had never seriously considered teaching outside the United States. It wasn't something professors talked about in college, and no one in...

Hiring season for international schools kicks into gear every fall, and if you're new to this world, the sheer number of platforms and agencies out there can feel overwhelming. When I first started exploring international teaching, I didn't fully understand the difference between these agencies, I just knew I needed to sign up for something. So let's break down the major players, what makes each one different, and who they tend to be the best fit for.

A quick note before we dive in: agencies are one tool in your job-search toolkit, not the only one. Many teachers land roles through direct applications, networking, and job boards too. But having a profile with a few reputable agencies puts you in front of schools you might never find on your own, so it's worth understanding your options.

Search Associates

Search Associates is one of the oldest and most established names in international recruitment, founded in 1990. It works with close to 800 member schools across more than 100 count...

When people picture moving abroad, they picture the exciting parts new landscapes, new routines, a new version of life. What they don't picture is the 3pm silence of an apartment with no family down the street, no neighbor who's known you for ten years, no one to call when you just need five minutes to yourself.

That was the hardest part for me. Not the logistics of moving. Not the job. The village. The one you don't realize you had until it's gone.

No One Hands You a Village Here

Back home, community sort of happens to you. You grow up with it, you inherit it, you don't have to try very hard. Abroad, nobody is going to build that for you. If you want a village, you have to build it yourself on purpose, one decision at a time.

That's the part nobody tells you: finding your people overseas isn't passive. It's not going to fall into your lap between school drop-off and grocery runs. You have to go looking for it, and you have to keep showing up even when it's uncomfortable.

Being In...

If you've landed here, there's a good chance you've been asking yourself one question:

Could I really teach abroad?

The answer is yes.

Every year, thousands of educators leave their home countries to teach internationally. Some are recent graduates. Others have decades of experience. Some are single, while others relocate with spouses and children.

No matter where you are in life, your journey starts the same way, with a willingness to explore what's possible.

Step 1: Shift Your Mindset

Before you update your CV or browse job boards, give yourself permission to think bigger.

Teaching abroad isn't just about finding another job. It's about creating a lifestyle that aligns with the life you want to live.

For some people, that means better work-life balance. For others, it's the opportunity to travel, save money, experience a new culture, or raise a family overseas.

Start by asking yourself:

• Why do I want to teach abroad?

• What kind of lifestyle am I looking for?

• Wh

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