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The decision to move to another country and teach abroad is, for many, an enormously exciting prospect. It offers international teachers the opportunity to experience new cultures and environments, enabling them to consider different perspectives and hone various aspects of their practice.
However, for international teachers, working overseas can also be fraught with challenges, all of which have the potential to negatively impact their wellbeing.
The Teach Away Education Report 2023 surveyed international teachers regarding a number of issues related to teaching abroad. While some had no reservations about undertaking roles in international schools, others raised some potential concerns. These included personal safety, cultural differences, job insecurity, language barriers, lack of career progression, struggling to adapt to a new environment, and homesickness.
Some of these challenges are based around the wider context of a living in an unfamiliar country, and the differing expectations that might entail from a social, linguistic and cultural perspective; others are related specifically to teaching in an international school.
For example, despite many expat teachers ranking continuing CPD and career progression as a reason for teaching abroad, many say this need is not being met within their educational setting. In addition, many find themselves working in an environment where they may find it difficult to assimilate with vastly diverse cultures, values and approaches.
Whether the challenges lie within or beyond the school gates, these types of concerns can adversely affect international teachers’ physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. If their needs are not being met by us as leaders, it can reduce the likelihood of them remaining in post and thriving within our school’s setting.
So, in order to recruit and retain the highest quality staff, the question for all of us is: what can we do to support the wellbeing of our international staff?
Of course, wellbeing means different things to different people, so a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to succeed.
However, according to the Teach Away education report, almost a third of respondents cited a safe, healthy and sustainable working environment as their top priority in relation to wellbeing. So how can we create positive, supportive environments where each and every teacher feels safe, happy and healthy?
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