Everyone knows everyone

Even though there are tens of thousands of international teachers around the world, it is actually a very small community where everyone knows everyone (almost).

If you speak to another international teacher for long enough, you’ll find a colleague, a school, a place, or a headteacher in common. That is why it is important not to burn bridges in this industry as you’ll probably run into them again in the future.

The high street has brand new appeal

Equipment can be much more expensive – or unavailable – abroad. So when you go home, Primark and Poundland are your best friends. Make sure you check in an extra piece of luggage to hold all the new school clothes, school equipment, toiletries, perfume, birthday cards, and over-the-counter medicine you’ll buy to bring back after the summer holidays.

The nomad teacher existence is real

If you live and teach in a number of different countries, you are likely to start wondering where and what “home” is. Living abroad can change your identity, your mindset and your outlook, so you may feel like you are no longer the person who left your home country. You may worry about fitting in back home. But you also may not want to be an expat all your life. This makes for interesting philosophical discussions on nights out.

You get fast-track friends

Friendships and relationships tend to be very intense and formed almost immediately. At home, it would take months to become a friend or partner; you’d go on weekly dates or weekly meet-ups and build trust slowly. But when you’re abroad and far away from your support network at home, you can create strong bonds very quickly with others as they become your extended expat family.

Not everyone acts like every day is a holiday

You will quickly identify the colleagues who have been expat teachers for donkey’s years and who never stop complaining about their job, the school and the country. Be sure to stay away from that negativity.

The odd night out doesn’t hurt

Remember, though, that Ladies’ nights on Wednesdays make Thursdays feel very, very long.

Sorcha Coyle has taught at schools in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for the past six years. She also runs the Empowering Expat Teachers community, which can be found on .