ITP - 115: The Six-Figure Expat Teacher Strategy

Greg: Welcome to another episode of the International Teacher Podcast. Of course, right next to me here virtually is Kent the Cat Guy. How you doing, Kent?

Kent: Great to be here. Thanks for having me.

Greg: Thank you. And you know what? I don’t know where JP is. Is she somewhere in Mexico having internet problems?

Kent: She is. She’ll dial in if her internet comes back.

Greg: Okay, so our audience can look forward to having her join us if she gets internet. We go through that once in a while. Our special guest today is coming to us from Ireland, so I’d like everyone to say hi to Sorcha Coyle. How are you, Sorcha?

Sorcha: Great, thank you. Thanks so much for inviting me here. Thanks a million.

Kent: Woo! Welcome, Sorcha. Thank you for joining us.

Greg: Yeah, go Irish. We’re wearing green today. If you’re watching this on Spotify or YouTube, we are up and running in green today in honor of Sorcha. She forgot to wear her green.

Sorcha: Yeah, thank you.

Kent: She’s got nothing green.

Greg: That’s wonderful. Tell us a little bit in a nutshell—can you give us your history of education and what you’re doing now?

Sorcha: Yeah, of course. I’m from Ireland. I did my degree there, then went to the UK to train as a teacher and completed my PGCE. I did my newly qualified teacher year in the UK.

Then I wanted to go traveling, so a friend and I went to South America for a few months. After that, I came back and did a maternity leave role in Ireland. I was lucky to get it because it can be quite hard to secure permanent jobs there.

But I knew I wasn’t ready to settle. I was in a great school, but I was only 24 or 25. In Ireland, when you get a permanent job, you often stay for life. I wanted to explore.

So I started applying to schools across the Middle East. My aunt had lived there for years as a nurse—in Saudi, Oman, and the UAE—so I had a positive impression.

I got several interviews, and one that really resonated was a school in Qatar—Sherborne Qatar. I liked the leadership, so I moved there. That’s how my expat teaching journey began.

Kent: How long did you spend in Qatar?

Sorcha: Four academic years. I loved it. The country was building toward the World Cup, and everything felt new and developing.

Compared to places like the UAE, Qatar was still opening up, which made even simple things feel like an adventure. I was teaching English as a second language and really enjoyed it.

Greg: And what were you teaching at that school?

Sorcha: English as a second language, mainly to local students. I also became the higher education and careers advisor.

Because it was a startup school, I saw opportunities. I proposed creating a careers department, and leadership supported me. I completed a postgraduate qualification in career guidance and helped set up the department—supporting students with university applications, UCAS, and references.

Kent: What was your original training in?

Sorcha: Modern foreign languages—Spanish. But with my PGCE, I could also teach English as an additional language.

When I applied for a language role in Qatar, they suggested ESL because of my experience in summer camps. That’s how I transitioned.

Later, I completed my master’s at King’s College London in applied linguistics and English language teaching.

Greg: That is such a science.

Sorcha: I love academic English. It’s like a different language.

Kent: So when you left Qatar, where did you go next?

Sorcha: I went to London to complete my master’s. I’d always wanted to live there, so it felt like the right time.

I also worked part-time teaching ESL in a primary school. But I missed expat life—and I didn’t love paying tax—so I started applying to international schools again.

While applying, I realized there wasn’t a central place for teachers to share honest information about schools. I had been lucky to have a network, but not everyone does.

So I created a Facebook group called Empowering Expat Teachers. It now has around 14,000 members.

Kent: Wow, that’s impressive.

Sorcha: It’s a forum where teachers can ask honest questions about schools, packages, and experiences. It’s teacher-to-teacher, not recruiter-driven.

We’re careful about how things are shared because of laws in some regions, but it’s a supportive community.

Greg: It sounds a lot like what we try to do here.

Sorcha: Absolutely. It helps people make informed decisions.

Kent: After London, what happened?

Sorcha: I applied to about 13 or 14 international schools across different regions. I interviewed with most and received multiple offers.

I chose Dubai because I had been there before. But I realized I’m not a big city person—I grew up in a small town, so it was a big adjustment.

Kent: About 11,000 people, right?

Greg: And 50,000 sheep.

Sorcha: Exactly. Dubai is busy.

Kent: How long did you stay in Dubai?

Sorcha: About five or six years. The package was very good, and I made great friends.

But it’s a place where people can get caught up in the lifestyle. It’s worth experiencing, but maybe not the best first destination for everyone.

Greg: I’ve been through the airport a thousand times. It’s a major hub.

Kent: They know him by name.

Sorcha: I never actually went into the Hard Rock Café there, even though there was one. I’ll check it out next time.

Greg: It’s in the airport. Dubai is very international—so many languages, so many people working incredibly hard.

It’s very transient. People come and go.

Sorcha: Exactly.

Greg: Kind of like London or Las Vegas.

Kent: So during this time, you were running your platform as well?

Sorcha: Yes. I was teaching ESL in Dubai and running the Facebook group on the side.

JPMint: I’ve been following your content for over a year. Your videos are really clear and helpful.

Greg: Fangirl.

JPMint: I am. It’s great content.

Sorcha: Thank you. I think we’re doing similar things—helping teachers.

JPMint: Yes, there are only a few of us supporting international teachers with CVs, contracts, and job searches.

Greg: So what do you do behind the scenes?

Sorcha: I help teachers land top international teaching jobs so they can fast-track saving six figures.

Greg: I like that.

JPMint: Tell us more.

Sorcha: Not in one year, but over a few years. In Qatar, I saved my first six figures in four years, which allowed me to buy a home in Ireland.

Many people don’t manage that, even on good salaries. In places like Dubai, lifestyle can get in the way.

JPMint: Champagne brunches.

Sorcha: Exactly. So I help teachers be intentional—choosing the right job, negotiating offers, and building a savings plan.

Kent: When you say six figures, you mean cash savings?

Sorcha: Yes. Then they can decide what to do with it.

JPMint: That’s a strong foundation.

Sorcha: I work with clients over several months—refining CVs, preparing for interviews, applying to multiple schools, and aiming for multiple offers.

It’s a full process.

Kent: What services do you offer?

Sorcha: Two main programs—a longer accelerator and a shorter launch program.

I’m very hands-on with CVs, cover letters, interviews, and financial planning.

JPMint: So you do a lot of the work for them.

Sorcha: Yes. Teachers are busy, so they prefer that. It ensures quality.

Greg: That’s a real service.

Sorcha: I enjoy helping people see their value.

Kent: That’s huge—helping teachers build something long-term.

Sorcha: Exactly. The first job abroad can shape everything—savings, experience, future opportunities.

Greg: Biggest mistake teachers make?

Sorcha: Taking the first offer without research. You need to compare offers, understand the package, and consider cost of living.

Also, not negotiating.

JPMint: Big one.

Sorcha: And not planning savings from the start.

Kent: Differences by region?

Sorcha: The Middle East often offers higher savings due to tax-free salaries, but lifestyle can reduce that. Asia can also be strong. Europe usually offers lower savings but better lifestyle.

Greg: People follow their friends.

Sorcha: Yes, but that’s not always the best choice. It depends on your goals.

Kent: Advice for experienced teachers?

Sorcha: Reframe your experience. Many underestimate their value. Positioning matters.

Also, be open to different regions.

JPMint: Not always the most Instagrammable places.

Sorcha: Exactly.

Kent: Police or customs story?

Sorcha: We were traveling in South America and got stopped by police on a bus. They were checking documents. It was routine, but intimidating at the time.

Greg: That’ll get your heart rate up.

Kent: Mild compared to others.

JPMint: Mild is good.

Kent: Final advice?

Sorcha: Do your research, be intentional, and don’t underestimate what’s possible. Teaching abroad can change your life if you approach it strategically.

JPMint: Love that.

Greg: Great advice. Thanks for joining us.

Kent: Where can people find you?

Sorcha: Through my Facebook group, Empowering Expat Teachers, or my website and social media.

Greg: Thanks so much.

Kent: Thanks, Sorcha.

JPMint: Thank you.

[End of transcript]