ITP - 062: Teaching in the US on a J1 Visa

Greg: Welcome to the International Teacher Podcast with your host, Matt the Family Guy, Kent the Cat Guy, and me, Greg the Single Guy. We are recording episodes from around the globe to tell you about the best kept secret in education. That's right, it's teaching overseas. We're glad to have you join us.

Greg: Welcome to this episode of the International Teacher Podcast. I am Greg the Single Guy, and I am alone today. Kent is preparing for something else, and Matt the Family Guy is playing softball tonight, so it's just me.

But we have a wonderful guest and a little twist on our show because when you meet this woman, she’s coming at us from the United States, but she is an international teacher in the U.S. She’s originally from Brazil, and we’ll talk to her a little bit. I’d like to welcome Camila Duarte Vasconcelos. Did I do okay?

Camila: Yes, you did. Thank you so much.

Greg: Where are you calling from in the U.S.?

Camila: I am calling from Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Greg: Excellent. I’m way over in the Middle East, so this is exciting for me. It’s evening for me and morning for you. And you’re originally from Brazil, right?

Camila: Yes, I’m from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I took this opportunity to teach in the States, and I’ve been here since 2019.

Greg: Were you teaching in Brazil before you got to the U.S.?

Camila: Yes. That’s where my journey started. I began teaching in 2011 in Brazil at the elementary level.

Greg: So maybe international teaching was sort of like a secret for you, like it was for me. You didn’t really know much about the international opportunity while you were in Brazil?

Camila: Exactly. My whole life I was fascinated by teaching and traveling, but I thought combining both was only possible if you worked for a big multinational company. I had never heard of teachers leaving the country to teach.

Then one of my best friends was hired to teach in the south of Brazil at an international school. It was an American school. We started talking more about it, learning about it.

Later, she moved to the Dominican Republic. When I went to visit her in 2017, I fell in love with the idea. I said, “Okay, I want this opportunity too. I want to see what’s out there. I want to keep doing my work, but with students from around the world.”

I knew that even if I came back to Brazil, I could share those experiences in different ways.

Greg: So you went from teaching in your home country, visited your friend who was teaching internationally, and then you fell in love with the idea. When you went back home, how did you actually get into it? Did you go to a job fair?

Camila: That’s the tricky part for Brazilians. We speak Portuguese, which is very different from English, so it’s something you have to improve over time.

Since 2017, I enrolled in different online courses. I used different tools to improve my communication and writing skills. I also tried to connect with different teacher programs abroad.

There are several options. You can enroll in private agencies, but the program I joined was the J-1 visa program, which is completely free. They hire teachers to teach in the United States, and the application process is free, which was a great opportunity for me.

When I started the process, I realized the areas I needed to improve—my English, my resume, and my teaching skills. I connected more with the teachers at my school, and they could see me growing. Eventually, I felt ready to take the next step.

Greg: Let’s go back a little. When you were teaching in Brazil, what were you teaching?

Camila: I’m a visual arts teacher. I teach painting, drawing, sculpture, and all kinds of art-related subjects. I was teaching elementary and middle school levels.

The school system is a little different than in the United States, so I had to adapt when I got here. Since 2011, I was teaching in two different schools, which was hard, but teachers in Brazil often do that to improve their income.

I’m very grateful for that experience because it allowed me to work with different age groups. Once I came here, I had the opportunity to expand and teach at the high school level as well.

Greg: So before you could join the J-1 program, you needed at least two years of teaching experience?

Camila: Yes. You need teaching experience in your home country, and you also need to demonstrate English proficiency.

Greg: And the J-1—what exactly is that?

Camila: It’s a type of visa in the U.S. Sponsors—agencies that partner with the government—provide this visa and support teachers through the process.

Greg: So once you apply, they match you with a school?

Camila: Yes. You submit your application, your teaching experience, certificates, and degrees. They review everything and move you through different phases.

First, they confirm your experience and English level. Then, once approved, your profile becomes visible to schools that are hiring.

Since the pandemic, they also host online job fairs. Teachers can meet principals, have interviews, and if both sides agree, it’s a match. The sponsor then helps guide you through the process of moving to the U.S.

Greg: That’s really important, especially interviewing from overseas.

Camila: Yes, the support is very important.

Greg: That’s really important, especially interviewing from overseas.

Camila: Yes, the support is very important.

Greg: Each state and county has different needs. I’m from Wisconsin—the land of the Packers—and you landed in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Had you ever been to the U.S. before you moved there?

Camila: Yes, I had visited a few places over the years. I was able to travel and explore some parts of the United States, but I didn’t know anything about North Carolina.

Greg: I don’t either. So what’s it like living there?

Camila: Fayetteville is very close to Fort Bragg, which is one of the biggest military bases in the U.S. That influences the community a lot. Many of my students are from military families.

Even though they are American, many of them have lived abroad because their parents are deployed to different countries. I have students who were born in places like Germany or Japan and then moved back here.

So even in the U.S., there is an international feel because of the military families.

Greg: Is your school a Department of Defense school, or just a public school near the base?

Camila: It’s a charter school near Fort Bragg.

Greg: That’s interesting. I love this perspective because it’s kind of the opposite of what we usually talk about. Most of our guests are Americans going overseas, and you’re coming into the U.S. as an international teacher.

Camila: Yes, and that’s why I like to share my experience. I want other teachers to know this is possible. Teaching abroad is not for everyone, but if you have the dream, even for a couple of years, you should try it.

Greg: What are some cultural things that surprised you when you arrived?

Camila: One of the first things was the yellow school bus. It’s real. We always see it in movies, but it’s actually how students go to school.

Also, things like prom and homecoming—those are real experiences. I teach high school photography now, and I got to see students dress up and participate in those events. It was very exciting.

Sports are also a big deal here. In Brazil, soccer is the main sport, but in the U.S., there are many different sports. Students have more options to explore their interests.

Greg: Did you volunteer for those events too?

Camila: Yes, I wanted to experience everything. I volunteered as a chaperone for homecoming. I wanted to be part of the traditions, not just the classroom experience.

Greg: That’s great advice—just say yes and get involved.

Camila: Exactly. Don’t be afraid. Take risks and enjoy the experience.

Greg: What are some things you miss from home?

Camila: Of course, my family and friends, but also the food. In Brazil, meals are freshly prepared every day at school. Here, a lot of food is prepackaged.

Also, in my city, it’s harder to find Brazilian or Latin grocery stores. I have to drive a long distance to find certain ingredients.

Greg: Do you find yourself eating more fast food?

Camila: Yes, at first I did because it’s cheap and convenient. But I had to adjust and start preparing my own meals so I could stay healthy.

Greg: We’ll take a quick break to remind listeners how to reach us.

Greg: You can find us on Instagram and Twitter at ITPExpats. You can email us at [internationalteacherpodcast@gmail.com](mailto:internationalteacherpodcast@gmail.com) or visit our website at [www.itpexpats.com](http://www.itpexpats.com).

Greg: Back to the show.

Greg: Do you stay in touch with your family regularly?

Camila: Yes, it’s easier because the time difference with Brazil isn’t too big. I use apps like WhatsApp and video calls to stay connected almost every day.

We have a word in Portuguese—“saudade.” It means missing someone in a nostalgic, meaningful way. When I feel that, I call my family.

Greg: I love that. In German, there’s a word for feeling completely at home in someone else’s space. Languages have these beautiful, unique words.

Camila: Yes, exactly.

Greg: Being abroad also means spending time alone and learning about yourself.

Camila: Yes, that’s very true. You have to get to know yourself. Even if you have friends, there are moments when you’re alone, and you need to be comfortable with that.

Greg: That’s part of the international teaching journey.

Greg: That’s part of the international teaching journey.

Greg: Are there still language barriers for you, or do you feel confident now teaching in English?

Camila: I feel very confident now, but I always keep an open channel for people to correct me and help me improve.

From the very first day, I told my students, “I’m from Brazil. I speak Portuguese. If I make mistakes or if you don’t understand my accent, please raise your hand and let me know.”

Just yesterday, I was typing an assignment quickly, and a student came up and said, “Miss, you need to fix this sentence.” I had written something incorrectly. I thanked him and corrected it right away.

Before, I was more self-conscious about mistakes, but now I see them as part of learning.

Greg: I know exactly what you mean. When you’re speaking another language, you have to accept that.

Are you dreaming in English now?

Camila: I dream in both languages. Sometimes I even mix them.

Greg: That’s when you know you’re really immersed.

Camila: Yes, it can get confusing sometimes. One time I had a dream where someone was speaking Arabic to me, even though I don’t speak Arabic. It’s interesting how your brain processes languages.

Greg: I’ve had moments where I just couldn’t communicate and got frustrated. One time I was in a shop where the person only spoke Arabic, and I just couldn’t get my point across. I got so frustrated and walked out. I felt bad afterward.

Camila: That happens. Sometimes I speak Portuguese without realizing it, especially when I’m tired. My boyfriend will look at me and say, “You’re speaking Portuguese,” and I don’t even notice.

Greg: Languages are fascinating.

Greg: It sounds like your school is very diverse.

Camila: Yes, very much so. Even though it’s in the U.S., the student body is very diverse because of the military families. Many students have lived in different countries.

Greg: That’s similar to international schools abroad, where you have students from many backgrounds.

Each experience is different depending on the school, but they all offer something unique.

Greg: I’m curious about your contract. How long can you stay in the U.S. on the J-1 visa?

Camila: The J-1 visa allows you to stay for two years, and it can be extended for up to five years total.

The goal of the program is for you to return to your home country and share what you’ve learned.

In my case, I decided to leave the program and move into an international school abroad after my time in the U.S.

Greg: That’s interesting. So how did you transition from the J-1 program to an international school?

Camila: I started researching different agencies that support international teachers. I applied through one of them and attended a job fair in Boston.

I networked, talked to different schools, and eventually got hired for my next position.

Greg: Now you’re speaking my language—job fairs, networking, all of that.

It’s great that you can share this with teachers back in Brazil who might not know about these opportunities.

Camila: Yes, that’s my goal. I want to show teachers that it’s possible.

Greg: Do you see yourself going back to Brazil and sharing your experiences?

Camila: Yes, definitely. I would love to offer workshops and presentations to teachers in Brazil, focusing on multicultural education and sharing what I’ve learned.

Greg: That would be very impactful.

Greg: That would be very impactful.

Greg: How can listeners connect with you or learn more about your work?

Camila: Yes, I’m creating something called the Multicultural Education Project. It’s going to be a platform to help teachers who want to teach abroad, especially those interested in the J-1 visa program.

It will also be a space for teachers who are already abroad to share resources, exchange experiences, and access multicultural education materials.

Greg: That sounds fantastic. Will it be in multiple languages?

Camila: Yes, that’s my goal. I want to make it accessible in both Portuguese and English so more teachers can benefit from it.

Greg: That’s huge, especially for teachers who might feel blocked by language barriers.

Camila: Exactly. Not everyone can immediately access everything in English, so I want to create a bridge.

Greg: I can already see you doing professional development, videos, coaching—this is going to grow.

Camila: I hope so. I’m doing a lot of research to build something meaningful and accessible.

Greg: Well, welcome to the family. We love seeing people build resources for international teachers. It’s a growing space, and the more voices, the better.

Camila: Thank you. I’m really excited about it.

Greg: I’d love to have you back on the show after you move to your next school and hear how that transition goes.

Camila: I would love that.

Greg: Before we wrap up, do you have any advice for teachers—especially those in Brazil—who are thinking about teaching abroad?

Camila: Yes. To my fellow teachers in Brazil, I want you to know that it is possible to combine teaching and traveling.

If you are passionate about teaching, that should be your foundation. And if you are adventurous and willing to take risks, you should go for it.

It will take effort and preparation, but the rewards—the experiences, the people you meet, and the things you learn—are absolutely worth it.

Greg: That’s great advice.

Greg: Thank you so much for being on the show. I wish you the best in your next steps, and I’m excited to see your project launch.

Camila: Thank you so much. It was a pleasure.

Greg: And to our listeners, thanks for tuning in. Until next time, take care.