Why Become an International Educator

No matter where you work, teaching is a way to make meaningful impact. This can be especially true if you’re teaching in a country outside of the one where you typically live — an increasingly popular choice among career changers, new teachers, and experienced educators looking for new challenges. Here are some of the most common reasons why people are choosing to become international teachers and why it could be one of the most fulfilling decisions you ever make. 

Adventure and Travel 

One of the biggest joys of working in international education is the opportunity to live and teach in another country. Many people find their interest in travel before their interest in teaching, like Jenny Mitchell, who had no intention of pursuing an education career until she lived next to an international school while studying abroad as an undergraduate. The experience opened her eyes to the possibilities of where teaching could take her and inspired her to earn a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.). 

Since then, Mitchell has worked in 7 countries and currently serves as the director of teaching and learning at Kaohsiung American School in Taiwan while working on her doctorate. 

“If you want to move to teaching internationally, get rid of the what-ifs,” Mitchell said during her appearance on the on the Front of the Class podcast. “Don’t think about it; just dive in. Give things a try because I think there is a lot out there that we could be doing and [there is] a fear of failure in a way, but nothing ever feels so bad that you can’t recover, so be daring, be courageous, and try something new.” 

It’s a sentiment that Rainier Lee knows well. After earning a master’s in cultural anthropology, Lee pivoted to an international education career and notes travel as one of the big advantages. 

“On all my free time, I go traveling,” Lee recently shared. “I love photography, so I take photos of different cultural experiences that I can use in my [teaching] units.” 

And Lee has plenty of time to travel, as the international school where he teaches in the Netherlands provides him 3-4 months of paid vacation per year including summer and holiday breaks. 

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Professional Growth and Personal Connection 

Living abroad as an educator isn’t just about teaching and traveling, though. It’s also an opportunity for continuous personal and professional growth. 

Lee recognized that early on. 

“When it came to changing my career and becoming a teacher, I thought to myself, ‘What’s the fastest way to fully immerse yourself?’ and that’s teaching abroad,” he told Front of the Class. 

Alan Gregory Cheng met his life partner during a study abroad trip in China and used teaching as a way to return to the country and be reunited. That was 17 years ago, and he’s seen his immense professional growth in that time thanks to his commitment to earning credentials like a master’s degree and U.S. teaching license while being intentional about his career moves. 

“I started off just in basic ESL [English as a Second Language] and then worked my way into college application consulting and test prep, and from there I found my way into the IB [International Baccalaureate] system where I’ve been for the last 10 years,” Cheng said. “Anytime that I’m looking to switch positions — which is not very often — I try to make sure it’s an upward movement, if not just a lateral, equally good opportunity.” 

Lifelong Learning Opportunities 

International educators often embrace learning not just for their students but for themselves. 

Gia Reed had already taught in China and South Korea when she was ready to level up her skills and open the door to more job opportunities. The most efficient way seemed to be earning a U.S. teaching license through Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, followed by an M.Ed. add-on — all online. 

It paid off when she was searching for her next professional opportunity and landed a job teaching in Hong Kong. 

“I had my eye on one school. I said, ‘I want to work at this school. This is my school,’” Redd recalled. “It was my one and only interview, and I will tell you, Moreland really prepared me. I had the answers, I felt so confident, [and] I knew what I was talking about.” 

Practical Perks and a Global Impact 

As with any career, there are challenges to international teaching, but many educators find that the benefits tend to outweigh the risks. International school roles frequently offer competitive pay and a lifestyle that enriches both your personal growth and professional trajectory. 

Garrett Richardson teaches economics in South Korea and has crunched the numbers, noting that teachers can usually save more money when working internationally rather in the U.S. due to lower costs of living worldwide. Add in the housing allowances that some international schools provide and that increases the savings even more. 

“That’s a very helpful thing for me [as] somebody who has student loans, [so] I’m able to pay back my student loans relatively quickly and also save for retirement,” Richardson noted. “It’s financially lucrative.” 

Ready to Learn More About International Teaching? 

If you’re passionate about making a difference, curious about cross-cultural experiences, and open to growing as a teacher and as a person, then international education could be more than a career. 

It could be your calling. 

Download the complimentary infographic Why Get a U.S. Teaching License as an International Educator to discover more reasons aspiring and current teachers go abroad and get more details about how a U.S. teaching license can elevate your global teaching opportunities. Then download this free guide to learn how Moreland University can help you earn your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months — 100% online.