10 Lessons I Wish I Knew Before Starting My International School Career
| by Dana Specker Watts
When I accepted my first teaching position abroad, I thought I knew exactly what I was getting into: a new school, a new country, and an exciting adventure. What I didn’t realize was how profoundly the experience would shape me — not just as an educator, but as a person.
Looking back, there are lessons I wish someone had shared with me before I packed my bags. Here are a few of the big ones that might help you as you consider, or begin, your own international school journey.
Lesson 1: It’s more than a job — it’s a lifestyle.
Teaching overseas is the best-kept secret in education. It’s the best professional decision I’ve ever made, and my only regret is not starting sooner. What began as a career move has become a way of life. The world no longer feels intimidating but instead is a giant encyclopedia waiting for me to turn the page and learn as much as I can. If you take the leap, you’ll discover that teaching abroad reshapes not only your career, but your entire outlook on the world.
Lesson 2: Culture shock is real, and it comes in waves.
My first Christmas in Thailand was really hard. I was not prepared. This was back in 2006, and at the time, Christmas in Thailand did not feel or look like my previous Christmases in Buffalo, New York. Bright neon colors filled the stores as I prepared for my first holiday without my extended family nearby. I longed for snow and the smell of pine. I remember shopping in Villa and hearing the song “Home” by Phillip Phillips come over the loudspeaker. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to check out at the register. My advice for you: Give yourself grace in those moments, and find new traditions that make the season meaningful in your new context.
Lesson 3: The school community becomes your family.
When life hits you hard and you are so far away from friends and loved ones, your school community will circle around you and fill you with love. While overseas, I went through one of the hardest things I have ever gone through in my life, and my school community engulfed my family with love unlike anything I had ever seen. Additionally, you’ll celebrate holidays with your school community (try finding a turkey for Thanksgiving in India or a live Christmas tree in Thailand), travel with them, and share the ups and downs of everyday life.
Lesson 4: Contracts and benefits vary widely. Always read the fine print.
Read it all. Take the time to read every detail of your contract, share it with a trusted colleague or mentor, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Schools generally want to be fair, but every country has its own rules and expectations. A careful review now will save you stress later and help you start your new role with confidence.
Lesson 5: Professional growth opportunities are abundant if you seek them out.
Take advantage of each and every professional learning opportunity that comes your way. Find out which regional organization your school belongs to and attend their conferences — you’ll meet inspiring educators and learn about the issues shaping your region. If you have the chance, join an accreditation team. Serving as an accreditor taught me more about how schools work, and why they do what they do, than a full week of PD ever could.
Lesson 6: Leadership styles differ by country and culture.
What works brilliantly in one setting may fall flat in another. Great leaders adapt, listen, and honor the culture they’re in. The strongest heads of school lead with humility and curiosity, shaping their approach to fit the community around them.
Lesson 7: Students will surprise you in ways you never imagined.
The students are INCREDIBLE. They bring perspectives, passions, and life experiences into the classroom that constantly challenge and inspire me. Time and again, I’ve learned as much from them as they have from me. International school students carry a natural curiosity for life and a deep interest in understanding the world, and that energy transforms the classroom into a place of mutual discovery.
Lesson 8: Saying goodbye is part of the journey.
Transitions are a common denominator in international schools. Saying goodbye is part of the journey — but so is building resilience. Each year, there are leavers, stayers, and arrivers, and with each transition comes both loss and renewal. You’ll learn to hold onto memories while making space for new connections, and that flexibility will serve you for a lifetime.
Lesson 9: Your network matters. Invest in people, not just places.
The people you meet along the way will make a lasting impression on your life. They will show up in the most unexpected places, and you will pick back up right where you left off. Additionally, everyone knows everyone (so try not to make enemies!). People have a funny way of showing up in your life again and again. Although the world is massive, our community is much smaller than people realize.
Lesson 10: You’ll grow in ways you can’t anticipate. And you won’t want to trade the experience for anything.
If someone had told me I would go from teaching in higher ed, to moving into IB English, to implementing technology, to leading teaching and learning, to running professional development across the globe, I would have thought they were nuts. Yet each role and every country opened doors I never could have imagined. That’s the beauty of an international school career. You don’t just change jobs, you evolve as a person. The challenges stretch you, the opportunities surprise you, and the growth lasts a lifetime.
Take the plunge and don’t look back.
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