The experience of teaching or working in schools abroad can be both life enhancing and a good career move. It helps people of all ages gain a global perspective on life, living among people from different cultures, learning new skills and languages as well as developing as an educational professional. Before checking your passport and reaching for your suitcase, follow Eteach International’s top tips to a completely rewarding experience.

1. Take time to consider if country is right for you. Research its’ customs, culture, religion, languages and laws. Being well prepared and able to embrace cross-cultural diversity will make integration into your new life easier and help you become a better teacher abroad.

2. Check you have the right qualifications, skills and experience before you apply. Eteach International can advise you on this and match your profile to the right opportunity.

3. Focus on the job not the country. At interview stage, being too focused on the travel opportunities mayl give the impression you see it as a paid holiday. Be clear why you have applied for the post and were attracted to the school and how you feel your skills and attitude will benefit a school. Ask questions in relation to professional development, the curriculum and any extra-curricular activities you could get involved with.

4. Make sure your salary is sufficient for your needs. To get the most out of your overseas teaching experience, you will need money to cover basic living costs with enough left over for socialising and travel. Ask the school what ‘extras’ they might cover for example your flights, accommodation and medical insurance. Some are more generous than others.

5. Be prepared to take on extra duties and make sure your interviewer knows you have additional skills outside of teaching such as drama and sport as this will work in your favour. Many international schools are run like independent schools and some have boarders so your responsibilities are likely to extend beyond typical teaching hours.

6. Protect yourself. Check if you need travel insurance and whether your membership of a professional union will cover you whilst teaching overseas. You may need to join another professional union as every country operates differently. Ask these questions at the interview and research stage.

7. Talk to fellow teachers who have worked in the part of the world you are considering. They should give you honest, first-hand knowledge which will help prepare you for your forthcoming experience. Staff at Eteach International can also talk to you about their overseas teaching experiences as well as putting you in touch with others. Visiting social networking sites is also an option.

8. Make sure you choose a school where what you will be teaching is in line with UK curriculum activities.& Keep in touch with bodies such as ECIS and COBIS to keep your curriculum knowledge up to date. This will be beneficial to your career development.

9. Don’t expect your employer to settle you in entirely. Accept that you will need to be independent. Plan how you will meet locals and fellow teachers by for example joining sports clubs. Meeting more locals certainly helps improve foreign language skills.

10. Prepare a basic bank of teaching resources and take as many of your own materials as you can. USB memory sticks and laptops can carry a whole host of information.

11. Check you have the appropriate legal status to work in your chosen destination. You will need documents such as your visa, passport and birth certificate and may need immunisations. Good, reputable schools will assist you with visa and work permit applications. Alternatively, ask Eteach International.

12. Plan your exit strategy. Most contracts are for two years so consider in advance what you are going to do next and where you might work as this will impact on the post your choosing now.