ITP - 129: From Small Town India to International Schools Worldwide

Greg:
Welcome to another episode of the International Teacher Podcast. This is your host Greg the Single Guy and my cohosts. Way far away in the US, Kent the Cat Guy. How are you, Kent?

Cat Guy:
I'm great, Single Guy. Thanks for having me. Happy to be back from our summer break. Of course, I'm on a permanent break at the moment.

Greg:
Yeah, and you're in Seattle now. We’ve got to talk about that later.

JP Mint:
Semi-retirement! Let’s hear it!

Greg:
And we’ve got Jacqueline, JP Mint. You are in Mexico now, back in Mexico.

JP Mint:
I am indeed. I'm back from a spring in Canada and now I'm in the rainy season in Mexico.

Greg:
It’s great to have you guys back on the show and have myself back on the show, fresh off vacation. It is summertime, but we’re still recording for our audience.

We have a great guest with us. It’s Nandini, and she’s coming to us from India, just north of Mumbai. Welcome to the show, Nandini.

Nandini Shah:
Thank you for having me. I'm very excited to be here. I've been listening to your podcast for the last year, and I’ve loved hearing the journeys of different international educators. I wanted to share my journey too.

Greg:
So we have one listener in Australia and one in India.

Cat Guy:
That’s right, Nandini is the listener.

JP Mint:
Nandini, can you tell us—are you an international teacher right now in India?

Nandini Shah:
I’ve been teaching abroad for the last seven years, but before that I was an international teacher in Mumbai for six years.

I got my master’s degree from the US in English literature and came back to India thinking I’d follow a traditional path, but life had different plans. I became a journalist, then a curriculum designer for an EdTech company. Around 2012, I got into international teaching in Mumbai.

After six years, I moved abroad—Russia for two years, Bulgaria for two years, then Japan for three years. Now I’m moving to Italy.

Cat Guy:
Fantastic. Is that this fall?

Nandini Shah:
Yes, sometime in August. Paperwork is still going on.

Cat Guy:
Let’s go back—where did you grow up?

Nandini Shah:
I’m from Gujarat, a state north of Mumbai, from a small town called Bharuch.

JP Mint:
Where did you study in the US?

Nandini Shah:
Indiana University in Indianapolis. I got a fellowship, so my tuition was covered and I received a stipend.

JP Mint:
What were your first impressions of the US?

Nandini Shah:
I was 20. It was very different. In India, we listened and took notes. In the US, we sat around a table discussing literature. I had no voice at first. I was expected to read a book every week and discuss it. No exams—just papers. It was shocking but amazing.

Cat Guy:
Is your journey common from a small town in India?

Nandini Shah:
Indians are everywhere now, but in international teaching we’re still growing. As an English teacher, I’m still a minority.

JP Mint:
How did you fit in abroad?

Nandini Shah:
I made friends through shared interests. In Russia, we played board games and cooked together. Food is a big connector.

Greg:
Tell us about your move to Russia.

Nandini Shah:
I saw expat teachers in Mumbai living amazing lives—traveling, earning more. I wanted that. I applied with no success until my academic director mentored me. I got a US teaching license and eventually got an opportunity in Russia through her.

JP Mint:
What did your family say?

Nandini Shah:
They were concerned about food, weather, and language. But I took the opportunity anyway.

Greg:
And how was it?

Nandini Shah:
I figured it out. There’s always a way.

JP Mint:
What challenges did you face applying internationally?

Nandini Shah:
I faced discrimination—job ads saying “native speakers only.” Even after getting jobs, I faced bias. In Russia, parents questioned me teaching Shakespeare because I’m a brown woman.

Greg:
That’s tough.

Nandini Shah:
Yes, but I understand some perspectives. Still, there’s a misconception that accent equals ability.

JP Mint:
Tell us about Bulgaria.

Nandini Shah:
It was one of my best experiences. Beautiful country, low cost of living, great travel opportunities. I traveled across Europe during COVID.

Cat Guy:
Why did you leave?

Nandini Shah:
I wanted more adventure. I don’t like getting comfortable.

JP Mint:
How was Japan?

Nandini Shah:
Amazing. I found work-life balance for the first time. I joined a theater group and performed in Romeo and Juliet.

Greg:
That outside-of-school life is key.

Nandini Shah:
Absolutely.

Cat Guy:
What’s your view on education systems?

Nandini Shah:
There should be balance—some testing, but also flexibility. I like the IB system.

JP Mint:
How did you find the Italy job?

Nandini Shah:
I applied selectively and attended a job fair, which was overwhelming. I kept applying and eventually got the offer.

Cat Guy:
Where in Italy?

Nandini Shah:
Genoa, on the Italian Riviera.

Greg:
You’ll love it.

Greg:
Three things you always bring?

Nandini Shah:
Indian spices, The Secret book, and US dollars for emergencies.

JP Mint:
Any police stories?

Nandini Shah:
Yes. In North Macedonia, police checked all my cash for counterfeit bills. It was stressful.

Cat Guy:
Final thoughts, JP?

JP Mint:
Great story. Please come back after Italy.

Greg:
You’re breaking barriers. Thank you.

Cat Guy:
Nandini, final word?

Nandini Shah:
Thank you for giving me a platform to share my story. I really appreciate it.

Cat Guy:
Thanks everyone for listening.