Deciding in Which Country to Live and Work

Deciding which country you'd like to live and work in can potentially be a difficult task. However, if you want to work as an English teacher abroad, there are some hints that may help. Here are some guidelines to consider;

1. Select from the countries where there is at least a resonable demand for English teachers. However, don't make assumptions until you've done some research. For example, assuming that there would only be a big demand for English teachers in non- native English speaking countries is incorrect. The U.K. and the U.S. are in desperate need of English(ESL) teachers as a lot of foreigners arrive seeking work.

The biggest demands can be found in Asia but right now, the demand has increased exponentially and most parts of the world offer ESL posts.

2. Ask yourself what you hope to accomplish by living abroad in a given country as well as what you hope to contribute.

3. Consider the wage vs quality of life from region to region. While some countries will pay a lot of money, such as the United Arab Emirates, the cultural experience may not be as intense and as enriching as lets say southern Europe where you would have the opportunity to have real relationships with the locals but would gain much less income.

4. While it sounds superficial, climate is an important factor when considering whats best for you. I don't necessarily suggest that you should decide on a location because the climate is similar to what you're used to but be aware that in any part of the world, climate dictates culture, cuisine and general social norms. Its fine to chose a climatic region different from what you're used to as long as you are prepared to accept/embrace the new climate.

5. Research cultural and societal norms of the given region as this can also dictate how well you intergrate and enjoy your new host country.

G.G.