A Realistic View of TEFL and Life Abroad

Another reader writes in with:

I read a lot of stories about how great teaching English is…

And my response is:

Teaching English is – first and foremost – a job.  Just like any job there are good and bad things – good and bad employers – good and bad days.  Mostly it is, like most of life, all about attitude.

Beside, your website, can you recommend any sites that give a real view of teaching abroad.

TEFL Daddy is a good one, one of the best – but that is mine too. I wrote most of my websites because I found there was very little middle ground.  Either people fantasize about life abroad or overstate things (often they are selling something) OR they have had a bad experience and blame it on the country, school, nationality and never really stepped back to take a good look at themselves.

Now . . . I sell a few things too – and I personally love the lifestyle – but I don’t try to sell the life/lifestyle to anyone as it is not for everyone.  Not everyone can handle life abroad and living/working in a different culture with things done differently and different cultural expectations at work.

I wrote most of my materials as I found it difficult to find real middle ground on the internet.  Middle ground that really reflected how my 20+ years abroad worked and how things worked for the people I know who have spent long periods of time abroad successfully.

There are certainly hundreds of websites with lesson plans, jobs listing etc – but very few with REAL interpretation of life abroad and how to live it successfully.  If you want some help with cultural adaptation, the job search and just basic how to be successful abroad – go over to TEFL Boot Camp and pick up the free eBooks on offer to help you succeed overseas.

TED’s Tips™ #1: Be sure to seek a balanced view of life abroad.  While it can be pretty fantastic, many people oversell the lifestyle or try to blast it out of the water as they could not succeed.

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Is Life Abroad Healthy?

Can you drink the water?

Generally speaking, yes – and no. Life is healthy, and no, don’t drink the water (sometimes and usually).

What?

I have found that my life overseas has been no more and no less healthy than life back home. Except, I live a much less stressful and less hectic life than do my family and friends “back home”. That’s healthier!

Better Medical Care

My personal experience is that most doctors overseas will spend much more time with you. They aren’t pressed by the numbers game of HMOs or clinics. You won’t find the doctor pushing you out of the exam room or running out the door to the next customer (whoops, I mean patient!).

When younger, I had some serious health issues that never really got resolved until I met a couple of great doctors overseas. They spent the time with me to talk about the problem, explained, reviewed some options, and left the course of action up to me!

I didn’t feel that they were eagerly “sharpening their knives” and wondering how much all this could be worth. Just my cynical outlook, I guess? Frankly, I trust my doctors here more than I did there. Really.

Staying Healthy

You will find that things aren’t always as clean as you would like them to be – and bathroom cleanliness is not common in many parts of the world, nor is regular hand washing. So, you will find yourself, wisely, washing your hands MUCH more than you used to – and it is a very good habit for keeping yourself healthy. Carry a handkerchief with you as most lavatories won’t have any towels at all or will often have a community towel for all to use.

The Water?

Generally, not good to drink, but it depends on the country of course. Ask! Most countries though have cheap and easily accessible bottled water. I get five-gallon (19 liter) bottles delivered to my door for about US$1. And I buy the EXPENSIVE water. The cheap water is about US30 cents. Most places you can gargle and brush your teeth with tap water – some places you can’t – it is important to ask your coworkers.

Boil it?

Sometimes. And you will see many people do this. But often the problem with the water may not be bacteria and other living things in the water, it is often pollutants or heavy metals, things which are not affected by boiling.

TED’s Tips™ #1: Good quality bottled water is cheap – buy it. Your health is too valuable. You’ll quickly get used to the routine. It is simple and easy. You won’t even notice after a few weeks when you have habit down.

TED’s Tips™ #2: Caveat: I’m not a doctor – but I am careful with my health. I am, after all, in my 50s. All the above is just my opinion. Of course, consult you personal physician on any personal health issues.

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How to Teach English Overseas and Secrets to Success Abroad
TEFL eBooks is offering a free download of their new publication Seven Secrets of Success Abroad - and along with it comes a bi-weekly installment and revision of their eBook called How to Teach English Overseas.

Great reviews for the Secrets of Success eBook – in spite of the hokey name – and the How to Teach English eBook is being updated and rewritten and sent out in installments as it is ready.

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