Moving Abroad For TEFL - Items to Consider

This article is about the things you have to considerrandom items (for example, sticky back plastic) I had
before moving abroad for TEFL-ing. Whether you areto carry around with me was enormous and it grows
moving abroad to study for a TEFL or already havedaily. When you start teaching you'll want to carry
your TEFL certificate, you'll find that your check list ofaround games and speakers and that type of thing for
"must haves" is very similar.your students. Sorry, but handbags do not suffice.
I moved to Madrid, Spain in August 2009 and wasHeavy handbags kill your shoulders. Rucksacks all the
really grateful of the advice I received before headingway!
out but I learnt so much along the way. Here is aGoing abroad isn't taxing...
comprehensive list of items that you must make sureSome foreign currency. Sounds really obvious, but the
you have before heading out to pastures unknown.amount of people I met who didn't change their
Having these items reduces stress, trust me!currency before they arrived in Spain was
Get it and go!unbelievable. Don't arrive without some useful money,
First of all, take about 4 photocopies of your passport.you'll regret it and have to pay withdrawing fines at
You'll need copies to obtain documentation like yourcash machines if you use your native bank cards. Plus,
social security number and your NIE number. You alsoyou might want to buy something as simple as a bottle
need photocopies of your passport so you can rentof water whilst you're lugging suitcases around. You'll
our flats, hire cars, set up bank accounts and that typeneed some change.
of thing. Carry them with you on the plane, don't putMake sure your phone works in the zone you're
them in your suitcase...Also bring photocopies of yourtravelling to. There's nothing worse than moving
driving license of another form of ID if you have it.abroad, trying to tell loved ones back home that you've
Sun cream. Sounds cliche, but when I landed in Madridarrived safe and sound and realising that your phone
in the heat of August I was so grateful for alreadydoesn't like the new location.
packing sun cream and not having to go out and find a...just have the right things
pharmacy/supermarket. Small item, massively usefulA phrase book. If you don't know the new lingo, learn
Pens and a notepad. In my experience, stationery insome key phrases on the plane over. Even in capital
Madrid is quite pricey so you're better off bringingcities like Madrid not everyone speaks a bit of English.
these items with you. That way, you have themGranted, lots do in the touristy areas but if you're here
already. I started my TEFL course after 2 days oflong term and are here to work and intergrate, make a
being in Spain. The 2 days I was there, I didn't evenbit of effort with the language. A bit of effort goes a
consider stationery or anything practical. Get it beforelong way and people really appreciate it!
you go and that way you are prepared for your firstA good sense of humour. Moving abroad is really
day of TEFL. When you're teaching, the amount ofexciting and its the best thing I ever did. But having a
pens you'll go through is crazy!few key items with you is so imperative to make the
A diary. A good teacher is an organised teacher. Haveleap more manageable. The above items, although
your diary with you at all times when you reach yourseemingly obvious in some cases, are often so
destination. You never know who you'll meet, whatobvious that they get rejected. Also, sorting yourself
you'll need to write down or dates to mark. Plus, theout abroad like with bank accounts and such like, is
more organised you look, the more organised you'llstressful. But it all works out as long as you've got
feel. And organisation exudes confidence!yourself organised, but do embrace everything with a
A strong rucksack. Whilst I was studying for my TEFLgood spirit and good sense of humour!
course I found that the amount of paper and often
Victoria Galloway - Graduate of TtMadrid and English teacher - www.ttmadrid.com