Teaching abroad – plus learning a thing or two along the way

by Brier Dodge

Backpacking in Paris, Habitat for Humanity in Peru and vacationing in Punta Canta – all typical first flights for recent university graduates.

Karen Eatherley chose a different flight after graduating from Carleton in 2008 – one to Da Nang, Vietnam. In Da Nang, she teaches English as a second language.

“I love children, teaching and traveling,” Eatherley said. “It’s been a big dream of mine since I was about 17. Living in a foreign country allows you to really soak up the culture and environment.”

More and more students are flying half way around the world to teach, travel and save money to pay back student loans.

Many Asians want their children to learn English so they can travel, study or work in English environments. This opens many jobs for Anglophones with university degrees.

While the pay may not seem high, the cost of living is very low, and often covered by the employer.

“Standard contracts often provide return airfare, a furnished apartment, 10 days vacation and about $2,000 US a month, “ Gordon Reisdorf, who runs a “Teach English Abroad,” website, tells people interested in teaching.

Because the cost of living is low, many recent graduates are able to work for one or two years and pay off student loans, or save for the down payment on a house or car for when they return to Canada.

Now begs the question, how do you get started?

Some students choose to work through an agency, which sets up their training and job.

Eatherley is certified in English as a Second Language through United TESOL. The course also taught her how to find jobs overseas, so she was able to get in contact with a school and find a job herself.

When Eatherley and her boyfriend started looking into countries, they both fell in love with Da Nang. They found they wouldn’t make as much money as Korea or Japan, but the tropical climate, beach and city size drew them in.

“People talk about “culture shock”, and I really don’t feel like “shock is the way to describe how it feels,” she said. “At first it is very overwhelming, especially in Asia. Eventually though, life just feels like normal life and the differences are the small frustrations of not being about to express myself to many people because of the language barrier, among other things.”

While there are similarities to Canadian classrooms, Vietemese children are different to teach. They often have less rules and more energy, which combined makes for a wild combination. At the same time, the children are closer with their teachers, who are allowed to hug their students.

“It is very special to be a part of many children’s lives and as we are told, they will remember us forever,” she said.  “And, being able to relax on a beach all day, every day is really nice too – since we only work a few hours a day.”

Eatherley has loved her experience teaching abroad, and has taken the good with the bad as she navigates living in a new city, country and continent. As more and more graduates take the same path, she would encourage anyone considering teaching abroad to take the plunge.