I’ve done it! I’ve taught overseas!


Published on 25th January, 2019 by Wendy Hartrey. Published in For Candidates / TIC News

I’ve done it! I’ve taught overseas!

What it’s like to teach overseas, from teachers already doing it. 


Every year TIC Recruitment helps many teachers find good jobs in reputable international schools. We keep in regular contact with them during their time teaching overseas. It’s important for new teachers to feel they are supported by experts who can help them, and it’s great for us to know how they are getting on. So many of the stories we hear are fantastic! Here we share the news from four of our super teachers we recently placed: Tom, Cheryl, Leah and Eman:


I work just as hard, but have lots more freedom


Tom Scott is from Leeds, UK. TIC recently helped Tom achieve his appointment as Head of History at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Here’s his update:


“I am Head of the History department, whereas back at home I was a classroom history teacher. I expected an increase in workload, but I have more freedom and spare time as there's less paperwork and a greater trust in my ability to get on and do the job. I feel more relaxed as there isn’t the constant pressure of Ofsted, which allows me to focus on the teaching. However, I do work just as hard in this role as I did in the UK."



It’s given me the opportunity to continue working


Cheryl Eversfield is a primary teacher from Kent, UK. TIC helped Cheryl get her job in Malaga, Spain, where she works at Laude San Pedro International College. This job has opened up new opportunities for Cheryl who is coming to the end of her teaching career but isn’t ready to give up:

“As I’m now 60, I would never get a job in the UK. The education system in Britain does not value experience, and I am too expensive. At international schools, there are many teachers over 60.  I am not ready to retire and feel I still have a lot to give, and I love teaching! Even if I wanted to, my UK teaching pension is not enough and I will not get the state pension for another six years. Teaching internationally is a great option for my situation.”

I can now stay up to date with developments in education

Eman Sukker is a teacher from Jordan who speaks English fluently. TIC helped her to get a position working at Cranleigh School in Abu Dhabi: 



“Working overseas allows me to stay in the loop and keep up-to-date with the rapid education revolution. I read new studies about education and listen to expertise from around the world. This is something I could never have experienced had I stayed in my own country, with the same environment, same people, and same ideas. I believe it’s important to help to change our young people’s futures in the best way we can as they are our future world leaders, and this experience is helping me do that.”


I’ve learnt about myself and made lifelong friends


Leah Blackman is a teacher from Manchester, UK. TIC helped her to find her job as nursery teacher for Regents School Bangkok in Thailand:

“I’ve learnt a lot about myself from this experience. I’ve learnt that you never know how brave or strong you are until you have no other choice. A lot of my friends and family say to me that they are not ‘brave enough’ to leave England and set up life in a new country. It’s not that difficult, if you really want to do it. I’ve now made life-long friends from all over the world, and I’ve lived in another culture and seen how things work differently. I’ve learnt that England isn’t the centre of the universe!”


You can read many more teacher experiences and advice here
TIC helped Tom, Cheryl, Eman and Leah to find good jobs at reputable international schools where they have opportunities to develop professionally. If you are a teacher interested in working overseas, register free with TIC now.

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Wendy Hartrey