Why Westerners move abroad to teach

Korea Times file

By Ellie Goodwin

The reasons for choosing to teach English in another country, like Korea, will vary between individuals, as is the case with any job. For some, it's part of a long-term career plan, and for others it's a valuable albeit temporary experience. For those who do not consider teaching as a long-term career, the profession is a stepping stone for gaining work experience with the added benefits of living in a foreign country, saving money and an abundance of travel opportunities ready for the taking.

Twenty-nine-year-old Denis Poden, who has taught abroad in Thailand and Vietnam, and is presently into his second year in Korea, shared his motivation for teaching abroad. "I started teaching in my early 20s. I wanted to travel and work ― this was the best option. I think that's the case for a lot of people who come here."

There is a noticeable demographic trend amongst those choosing to teach abroad with many falling between the ages of 22 and 30.

It's a feasible option for those incentivized by travel opportunities and without the burden of obligations such as children or mortgages. These factors, in addition to years of travel restrictions and mandatory lockdowns, have seen people who had not considered teaching previously choose to move abroad, while simultaneously propelling those who had an interest prior to the pandemic.

Ellen Cornforth and Nastasia Dentwon, two 23-year-olds who work together at a public kindergarten, illustrate both ends of the spectrum.

Cornforth told The Korea Times, "I wanted to live in a foreign country and I wanted to travel but I was nervous and stalled my decision."

In contrast, Dentwon shared her frustrations with the pandemic interfering with her longstanding plans. "It was so annoying. I'd planned on moving to Korea for a year. Then I graduated and COVID hit ― but being stuck at home just made me want to do it more."

Kieran Wright shared a similar perspective. "I always wanted to travel after university ― I always remember thinking, if not now ― when? I think lots of people around that age were thinking the same thing ― especially during lockdown."

Graduation is the milestone marking an end to roughly 16 years in education and the commencing of careers. Oftentimes, students have the time but not the financial means to travel, whereas working professionals have the means but not the time. Teaching abroad strikes the right balance: the chance to travel and earn. It is, financially speaking, a sounder choice than alternatives such as bar or farm work.

Zaki Lew, a Canadian, explained why he switched to teaching abroad in his early 20s, a decision that has resulted in a six-year-long career at present. "I used to work on the farms in Australia and I'd pick vegetables and fruits. It helped fund my travels but I was always breaking even. I can travel and still save money by teaching."

Eleanor Baumber, 27, voiced the thought that many openly hold. "Traveling was a part of it, but the fact that I have no idea what I want to do with my life career-wise also led to me being here."

Not knowing what career to pursue has become a shared sentiment among many, rather than an isolating one.

"Teaching isn't my dream job ― I have no idea what my dream job is, but I know that I enjoy teaching, I'm good at it and it will help me in the long run when I do decide what I want to do," she added.

Finding and pursuing a "dream job" is a goal instilled into us from a young age. This is reinforced in our education, with consideration for careers becoming serious at as young an age as 16, when deciding the subjects or courses to study at a higher level, be it university or apprenticeships. For the undecided, teaching abroad offers many transferable skills which will be beneficial in the long term even if the profession itself may not be.

Delilah Usher, a former teacher and current self-employed recruiter, agrees that the benefits of teaching abroad are not limited to travel opportunities. "Most of the teachers I recruit have graduated within the past five years ― the extent of their work experience is mostly a weekend retail or bar job. Teaching does wonders for a resume ― tailoring communication skills, developing creative thinking as well as organizing and prioritizing heavy workloads and schedules ― that's just listing a few." She added that a common reason to teach internationally rather than domestically stems from dissatisfaction with one's birth country. "Many of the teachers I've recruited say that there are few opportunities in their home country ― they feel that it has worsened since the pandemic."

Inflated utility bills, the housing crisis and ever-mounting student debt are some examples of prevalent socio-economic issues in Western countries, though with varying degrees of severity. Teaching abroad offers an appealing lifestyle where the individual does not have to make financial compromises often.

"Why would I live in the U.S. at the moment? Getting a job is so difficult and competitive ― any job I could get would be entry level. The salary would barely cover rent, gas, bills and basic groceries," said first-time teacher Grace Paige. "In Korea I travel, eat out at restaurants, spend money on noraebang and I still have a decent amount left over."

The already common decision to teach abroad has undoubtedly been propelled by the social and economic repercussions of the pandemic. As was the case before, teaching will continue to be a popular career move, showing itself to be sustaining even in cases when it may not be fulfilling.

Ellie Goodwin is a teacher from the U.K. in Gwangju. She also writes for Gwangju News.