Teaching Overseas: Beyond the Classroom – Contracts, Culture, and Care

The ISS EDUlearn AMA podcast explores the latest trends in international education. In this special "GRT Summer Series" episode, hosts Mike and returning educators Dana Specker Watts, Katlyn Darling, and Celiah Bunsie, along with Dr. Nadine Richards, dive deep into the practicalities of teaching overseas. This segment offers crucial advice on navigating employment contracts, understanding the nuances of housing, tuition benefits, global healthcare, tax implications, and various insurance types. The episode concludes with powerful personal reflections on how teaching internationally transforms lives, offering unparalleled professional and personal growth—essential knowledge for a smooth transition to life abroad.

🗣️ Key Quote #1: "Don't get bullied into something. Make sure you have the time and space to make choices, because how you live is important to how you... how you work." – Katlyn Darling

🔄 Key Quote #2: "It's really important to get to know the culture and what criterias are accepted and not accepted. Pets, etc." – Dr. Nadine Richards

🤝 Key Quote #3: "I've had amazing healthcare overseas. Incredible. Some of the top... I would say, higher quality, easier access..." – Dr. Dana Specker Watts

🧠 Key Quote #4: "Teaching internationally gave me access to a future that I didn't know existed both professionally and personally." - Katlyn Darling

🌍 Key Quote #5: "At least once in your life, if you can have the experience of teaching abroad, living abroad, it just gives you so much more perspective on... things and on life." - Celiah Bunsie

Key Insights:

• Cultural Fit & Family: Beyond salary, investigate cultural norms and acceptance criteria for all family members, including pets. Regulations and community reception for animals vary greatly and can impact your decision.

• Tuition Benefits: For those with children, scrutinize tuition benefits carefully. International school tuition is often high; understand the percentage or number of children covered as it significantly impacts your overall compensation.

• Healthcare & Insurance: Overseas healthcare often rivals or surpasses quality in home countries, with easier access and affordability. Verify if your health insurance is local or global. Other insurance types (car, contents) are also often more affordable and comprehensive abroad.

• Tax Implications: Understand tax obligations in both your host and home countries. While favorable rates or exemptions exist, your tax status can change with residency over time. Consider specialists experienced with expatriate income.

• Transformative Growth: Teaching internationally offers profound personal and professional transformation, broadening perspectives, strengthening teaching craft, and providing unique leadership opportunities beyond traditional constraints.

Conclusion:

This episode provides essential practical considerations for international educators, emphasizing that a deep understanding of your contract—covering living arrangements, benefits, healthcare, taxes, and insurance—is paramount for a successful and happy experience abroad. It highlights proactive research, leveraging support, and personalizing your relocation strategy, ultimately illustrating that teaching overseas offers unparalleled personal and professional growth and a global outlook.

Unlock Your Global Teaching Journey!
Ready to leap into international education? ISS is your gateway to exciting opportunities:

🌍 Explore Careers Worldwide: Connect with top international schools at ISS’s virtual and in-person job fairs.
📚 Grow as an Educator: Advance your skills through Moreland University’s innovative programs at www.moreland.edu.
🤝 Build Community: Join SENIA International at seniainternational.org to collaborate on inclusive education.
💡 Inspire Global Citizenship: Discover transformative resources from Inspire Citizens at inspirecitizens.org.

Learn more at iss.edu and take the first step toward a global teaching adventure!