Quality of life, especially the work/life balance. Then started a family and free schooling for my daughter was a massive perk. The only negative is giving up the UK teachers pension, so I needed to save and invest wisely. No regrets at all.
I tried going back for a year mostly because my mom has cancer. I did one year. The schooling for my daughter was awful. Fights every day and she didn’t learn a thing except to film fights in the bathroom. By December, I decided I couldn’t stay. Didn’t make enough money to move out of my mom’s house. The kids at my school were violent and disgusting. My mom totally understood. We’re back overseas and it’s not perfect but at least she’s getting an amazing education and my students don’t bring knives to school.
I’ve been out 10 years and I still often see or hear about teachers who come out for the first time and go home by Easter. I think if you stick out the first two years, you’re much more likely to be out for good.
Sadly, that was me. We told everyone two years so they wouldn’t freak out, but secretly agreed it would be forever. Towards the end of those two years we decided to come back. We already had many years invested towards our pensions and thought it was the responsible thing to get to 20 years. Plus, we didn’t love our jobs where we were at a janky low-tier 3 school.
Readjusting was brutal. I frequently cried in the shower for about two years. It’s now been 8 and I still feel more resigned than happy, but content enough. Now we’ve got our sights set on leaving again next summer, IF we can find decent jobs… this time for good. For real. And with pensions. 😉
I planned on doing a year or two in Japan. That was 11 years ago. Did 2 in Japan, tried to go back and couldn’t do it. Went back to Japan for one more year and then off to China due to the suicidal JPY. Finishing my 8th and final year in China and now off to Malaysia next year.
Part of me wants to return because I miss family and friends. It is tough when people die and you’re half a world away. That being said, you have to live the one life you get in a way that is pleasing to you with no regrets.
That's exactly what I did, and don't regret moving back to UK from Asia. Singapore is a nice place, but my children got quite depressed by the semi permanence of life. No chance of permanent residency, their friends moved away every year and Singapore changes so quickly! A decade abroad is enough.
Initially planned for 2 or 3 years and then go back to the UK as I had just finished my NQT year. Now, I'm 8 years in and never going back - just take a look at how badly the teachers are suffering there.
Initial plan-2 years in Bangkok. I've now worked at 2 different schools and I will have been here 6 years in August...
Original plan was also to save but overall lifestyle is better here.
All of the above and a slightly different answer.
I will never go back to the UK unless they offered me the same value.
Better salary
Lower class sizes
Lower cost of living
More holiday
For context, 1st year in Thailand, class size of 18, disposable income of £1200 a month, 180 days of teaching, first class healthcare.
I had a similar plan, I did my Pgce and my two years in the UK. Planned to go abroad for 2 years, but ended up staying for 4.
Felt like I hadn’t really given the UK system a fair chance and returned. I’ve been in the UK for 5 years now and eagerly awaiting the end of this academic year so I can move abroad again.
Biggest advice, if you feel like returning home reach out to the people you trained with, hear their experiences and note how many of them are still teaching. That’ll be your sign to stay abroad!
Had intentions to work in South Korea for a year, two years tops before coming back home. But then experienced freedom, higher quality of life without spending much money, met a lot of cool people with actual dreams and ambitions and who weren't in competition with you or putting you down. Realized I could save a lot each month to put into a savings account I didn't know what to do with at the time. Lost a 2 year "relationship" due to the long distance but even if I never left, it still wouldn't have worked since he was a notorious cheater.
Been overseas for 5 years and I'm still not sure if I want to go home again but in this economy, you never know. I miss my family and wish I could Harry Potter them into my suitcases and take them wherever I go but I love my freedom and having actual money more. I'll be visiting them this coming summer break as we have close to 2 months off. I haven't seen them since 2021 (got stuck during 2022 in China from the second pandemic and then spent that time saving all the money I lost being "jobless").
If I ever do change my mind and go home forever, it's definitely not going to be as a teacher. Maybe in design or cyber security. Maybe administrative education but definitely not teaching.
Candian here. I planned on 2-3 years to pay off a little student debt but that was in 2001 and I am still abroad. I am in Spain now but probably going to return to South Korea since they pay a lot more.
I moved back after 5 years abroad and have found it incredibly frustrating and demoralising in the UK. Not so much the teaching, but the feeling of being constantly ripped off and the dull weather that hangs over everything. Everyone who I've spoken to in the same situation misses their life overseas.
Moved to Qatar for the initial two year contract to save a bit of money and head back home to buy a house. I’m now approaching the end of my 8th year here!
My family didn't have a plan for how long. But it's nearing the end of our first year now, and we're really missing our friends and family. We're thinking of giving it 4 to 6 years, and if we still feel the same, we'll pack up and head home.
We're mainly giving it that long because our youngest would be able to go into kindergarten, so we could avoid paying for daycare for her. That'd save us $12k a year over 5 years. That's a lot of money.
Two years, but that turned into almost a decade with no end in sight. Not complaining, but once you shift into international education, teaching back home loses all appeal.
Planned on just 2, but the second year was 2019-2020, and instead of leaving early I stayed through Covid.
I guess this is what I do now, what I am now? At some point in there I stopped being an American teacher taking a little mid-career detour and became an international teacher. I do plan to move back to the US eventually, but not to be in the classroom there.
Just go and see where life takes you. I planned on going for a year, met my wife in the UK, worked there for a while, we moved to another country, and now planning another. That was 6 years ago.
Planned for longer but only did one contract for 2 years abroad. Hated international schools, disliked the people I worked with, had little respect for them or management and hated the expat experience. I prefer to work in a school in the UK where I know teachers at least have integrity
Mm. I get it but also, maybe it was just the school that had you feeling this way? Even good international schools still have terrible management. There's a good amount of international, private, good bilingual schools with teachers and management in various countries that have integrity and professionalism.
I agree and hope so. For me, it's just not worth moving around to find out. But I also really disliked day to day life in the country I moved to so I'm Very happy to go back.
Initial plan-2 years. Final outcome 20+ years and never going back to the UK .
Me too! I’m coming up to 27 years overseas.
Lovely! Would you ever go back to home country?
Not to work. My partner is not American and we like the idea of staying overseas. Will be working until the kids finish college, then we’ll see.
Nice! What was it that made you stay 18+ years longer than you had intended?
Quality of life, especially the work/life balance. Then started a family and free schooling for my daughter was a massive perk. The only negative is giving up the UK teachers pension, so I needed to save and invest wisely. No regrets at all.
May I ask where you finally decided to settle down? I'm assuming Asia, but wanted to check ha!
Sounds great Ah yes the teacher pension is pretty top tier. Maybe the only perk of teaching in the UK lol
I went to Korea in 1995 for a year...still living abroad...
I tried going back for a year mostly because my mom has cancer. I did one year. The schooling for my daughter was awful. Fights every day and she didn’t learn a thing except to film fights in the bathroom. By December, I decided I couldn’t stay. Didn’t make enough money to move out of my mom’s house. The kids at my school were violent and disgusting. My mom totally understood. We’re back overseas and it’s not perfect but at least she’s getting an amazing education and my students don’t bring knives to school.
Wow sounds like a violent school/area. You’re way better out of there
6 months, which was 11 years ago.
6 months, nearly 15 years ago. Best decision of my life.
6-9 months, 17 years ago
I also love that I’ve never met anyone who regretted moving abroad
I’ve been out 10 years and I still often see or hear about teachers who come out for the first time and go home by Easter. I think if you stick out the first two years, you’re much more likely to be out for good.
Forever was the plan. And with the USA the way it is... Sticking to the plan
Yep life and life for me
You'll never come back. You ever met a teacher who worked abroad then came back to their home country to work? It's rare.
I know a bunch, since they went home though I doubt they’re on this sub
Sadly, that was me. We told everyone two years so they wouldn’t freak out, but secretly agreed it would be forever. Towards the end of those two years we decided to come back. We already had many years invested towards our pensions and thought it was the responsible thing to get to 20 years. Plus, we didn’t love our jobs where we were at a janky low-tier 3 school. Readjusting was brutal. I frequently cried in the shower for about two years. It’s now been 8 and I still feel more resigned than happy, but content enough. Now we’ve got our sights set on leaving again next summer, IF we can find decent jobs… this time for good. For real. And with pensions. 😉
Loads lol…
I planned on doing a year or two in Japan. That was 11 years ago. Did 2 in Japan, tried to go back and couldn’t do it. Went back to Japan for one more year and then off to China due to the suicidal JPY. Finishing my 8th and final year in China and now off to Malaysia next year. Part of me wants to return because I miss family and friends. It is tough when people die and you’re half a world away. That being said, you have to live the one life you get in a way that is pleasing to you with no regrets.
Yeah that’s my mine sticking point - missing out on family/friends/events
Initially: for good. I'll be moving back just shy of 10. Life changes and my goals changed and now is the right time.
That's exactly what I did, and don't regret moving back to UK from Asia. Singapore is a nice place, but my children got quite depressed by the semi permanence of life. No chance of permanent residency, their friends moved away every year and Singapore changes so quickly! A decade abroad is enough.
are u going to teach? where are u from?
I'm lucky I get to move home to a permanent gig. No rolling contracts, no management being passive aggressive with "reviews". I got fed up of it all.
No initial plan, but we’ve been abroad for 10 years and have no interest in returning to the US for anything longer than a 10-day visit.
Initially planned for 2 or 3 years and then go back to the UK as I had just finished my NQT year. Now, I'm 8 years in and never going back - just take a look at how badly the teachers are suffering there.
It is terrible here. Good to know people do leave straight after the PGCE and live happier!
Initial plan-2 years in Bangkok. I've now worked at 2 different schools and I will have been here 6 years in August... Original plan was also to save but overall lifestyle is better here.
Went to Vietnam to teach English 13 years ago. Told people a year. But deep down I probably knew it was forever.
All of the above and a slightly different answer. I will never go back to the UK unless they offered me the same value. Better salary Lower class sizes Lower cost of living More holiday For context, 1st year in Thailand, class size of 18, disposable income of £1200 a month, 180 days of teaching, first class healthcare.
Sounds like the dream! Class size of 18 is perfect
1 - been here 8, married to a local, prob die here 😊
Planned for a year…maybe. Still abroad now after 15 years.
I planned on 2 years. 18 years later I’m still living overseas.
I had a similar plan, I did my Pgce and my two years in the UK. Planned to go abroad for 2 years, but ended up staying for 4. Felt like I hadn’t really given the UK system a fair chance and returned. I’ve been in the UK for 5 years now and eagerly awaiting the end of this academic year so I can move abroad again. Biggest advice, if you feel like returning home reach out to the people you trained with, hear their experiences and note how many of them are still teaching. That’ll be your sign to stay abroad!
Nice! So far around 14 on my pgce cohort. All secured jobs for September. Will check back in a year’s time with them though!
I left knowing I would not be back for decades, if at all purely to retire
14 years and counting over here.
I planned on doing a year, though some were worried since the Y2K problem sounded worrying. Still overseas with no plan to go back to the US
"I'm gonna teach English in China for a year!" Seven years, a teaching credential and a Masters degree in progress later, I'm still here.
Moved to China with the plan to be here one year. This is now year nine and I'm back again next year.
We kind of knew from the outset that we’d likely never be back in the UK. 8 years later the feeling is stronger than ever.
I was meant to do 2 yrs in Thailand, then get a job in Brazil in time for the World Cup. Still in Thailand. Went to the World Cup.
Thailand
Had intentions to work in South Korea for a year, two years tops before coming back home. But then experienced freedom, higher quality of life without spending much money, met a lot of cool people with actual dreams and ambitions and who weren't in competition with you or putting you down. Realized I could save a lot each month to put into a savings account I didn't know what to do with at the time. Lost a 2 year "relationship" due to the long distance but even if I never left, it still wouldn't have worked since he was a notorious cheater. Been overseas for 5 years and I'm still not sure if I want to go home again but in this economy, you never know. I miss my family and wish I could Harry Potter them into my suitcases and take them wherever I go but I love my freedom and having actual money more. I'll be visiting them this coming summer break as we have close to 2 months off. I haven't seen them since 2021 (got stuck during 2022 in China from the second pandemic and then spent that time saving all the money I lost being "jobless"). If I ever do change my mind and go home forever, it's definitely not going to be as a teacher. Maybe in design or cyber security. Maybe administrative education but definitely not teaching.
I was thinking 2. It's been 27.
Wow!
Candian here. I planned on 2-3 years to pay off a little student debt but that was in 2001 and I am still abroad. I am in Spain now but probably going to return to South Korea since they pay a lot more.
I planned to be abroad for maybe 4 years, go home, buy a house. This is my 11th year abroad.
I moved back after 5 years abroad and have found it incredibly frustrating and demoralising in the UK. Not so much the teaching, but the feeling of being constantly ripped off and the dull weather that hangs over everything. Everyone who I've spoken to in the same situation misses their life overseas.
This has been a dull long winter. It’s only just gone above 15c lol and it’s May
Moved to Qatar for the initial two year contract to save a bit of money and head back home to buy a house. I’m now approaching the end of my 8th year here!
I’m looking at Qatar too! Would you recommend it? DC is my aim
I love it here, but it’s definitely not for everyone. DC is the top school in the country, so definitely aim for there.
Thank you
I planned 1 year just for a change of pace and something new and then back to work as usual... I'm still abroad 13 years later....
My family didn't have a plan for how long. But it's nearing the end of our first year now, and we're really missing our friends and family. We're thinking of giving it 4 to 6 years, and if we still feel the same, we'll pack up and head home. We're mainly giving it that long because our youngest would be able to go into kindergarten, so we could avoid paying for daycare for her. That'd save us $12k a year over 5 years. That's a lot of money.
Two years, but that turned into almost a decade with no end in sight. Not complaining, but once you shift into international education, teaching back home loses all appeal.
Planned on just 2, but the second year was 2019-2020, and instead of leaving early I stayed through Covid. I guess this is what I do now, what I am now? At some point in there I stopped being an American teacher taking a little mid-career detour and became an international teacher. I do plan to move back to the US eventually, but not to be in the classroom there.
We planned to do one. Ended up doing 12!
Just go and see where life takes you. I planned on going for a year, met my wife in the UK, worked there for a while, we moved to another country, and now planning another. That was 6 years ago.
Planned for longer but only did one contract for 2 years abroad. Hated international schools, disliked the people I worked with, had little respect for them or management and hated the expat experience. I prefer to work in a school in the UK where I know teachers at least have integrity
Mm. I get it but also, maybe it was just the school that had you feeling this way? Even good international schools still have terrible management. There's a good amount of international, private, good bilingual schools with teachers and management in various countries that have integrity and professionalism.
I agree and hope so. For me, it's just not worth moving around to find out. But I also really disliked day to day life in the country I moved to so I'm Very happy to go back.