| Teaching English overseas is a challenging but fun way | | | | on signing of the contract. If this is the case and you |
| to travel internationally but it does have its hurdles. One | | | | are not able to pay that much then try and room with |
| of the first challenges with working overseas is finding | | | | another ESL teacher. There are also youth hostels, |
| housing on the local economy. It will always be | | | | small hotels or occasionally the school has a guest |
| different from your home country in the west. Finding a | | | | house that has single rooms. This is not a great |
| place to stay is your first challenge and hopefully your | | | | situation to be in but until you get enough for your own |
| employer will have housing set up for you. If not, then | | | | place or a roommate then many a new teacher made |
| find out how the locals locate and rent affordable | | | | due until then. |
| housing. | | | | Furnishings can be as expensive as you can afford. |
| Usually, the first thing they will do is direct you to the | | | | Your local friends will expect you to buy new since |
| local English language paper to look in the rental | | | | you are the "rich" foreigner but don't feel obligated. |
| advertisements. This is ok if you by chance are | | | | There will usually be some market that sells used |
| working for a large international company that is paying | | | | household goods. Most everything you need will be |
| you a nice salary paid in Euros or Dollars. This does | | | | found there from the stove to pots and pans. Do bring |
| happen of course but it is rare. Usually, one of the local | | | | your own bedding from home. An eye mask and ear |
| teaching staff can help you look in the local paper for | | | | plugs are also a good investment. Traffic noise can be |
| a place. This will give you an idea about rent but also | | | | very loud even lasting until late in the evening. Bring a |
| ask about utilities. | | | | battery powered alarm clock but beyond the clock or |
| How are things heated or cooled? How much does | | | | battery powered appliances don't bring electrical |
| the teacher pay? What does it cost to get the utilities | | | | appliances with you if they are 110 volts. Keep those to |
| turned on? Are there electricity outages? What about | | | | a minimum until you arrive in country. |
| the water situation? Does it ever get cut off, if so, for | | | | Outside of the US and Canada everyone else uses |
| how long? Some countries use propane cylinders | | | | 220 volt electricity so your hairdryer is useless. Even if |
| instead of a line directly into the house. How much do | | | | it does have a converter on it, the dryer will burn up |
| the cylinders cost to buy and refill. Do they deliver | | | | very fast. A lap top with back up batteries is crucial to |
| them or do you have to carry it? They are heavy | | | | writing lesson plans and keeping your sanity. Do not |
| when full. | | | | show them your lap top but find good websites for |
| If you are short on money and or want to learn the | | | | them and send the students to the local internet |
| ropes from a local then ask about being a roommate | | | | café. Your laptop won't get damaged and |
| flat mate with a local teacher. Be for warned that this | | | | jealousy issues with locals will be lessened if they don't |
| can be challenging for the most experienced of | | | | see such an expensive appliance. There are also |
| expats. If you have the money then renting your own | | | | many online resources for ESL teachers living abroad |
| place does give you privacy and sanctuary from the | | | | and learning English online is fun for your students. The |
| stresses of being a foreigner. Deposits are normal | | | | more you can live like a local and act like a local, when |
| expenses that you need to be prepared to pay | | | | appropriate of course, the better time you will have |
| upfront. In some countries the entire year's rent is paid | | | | while living in your new country. |