ITP - 57: From Film Industry to Teaching in Cairo

Greg: All right, welcome everybody to this episode of the International Teacher Podcast. I am Greg, the single guy. I don't know where Kent is tonight, and I don't know where Matt is—probably golfing somewhere—but I hope you enjoy this episode.

Greg: We originally recorded this in April of 2023, and I want to introduce my next guest. She is from Germany originally—Ilonka—and she is currently teaching in Cairo. Welcome to the show, Ilonka. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Ilonka: I'm from Germany, North Germany, and I have lived and taught in many different countries. I started in Turkey, Izmir. Then I went to Yangon, Myanmar. From Myanmar to Tianjin, China. I was so homesick that I went back to Myanmar. From Myanmar, I moved to Indonesia, Jakarta, and from Jakarta to Cairo. In between, I was in Spain—but I think that's enough. So many different countries, many different adventures.

Greg: I am dizzy just from listening to all the places you've been. How many years have you been doing this for?

Ilonka: Twenty years. I’m originally from the movie business, and before I started teaching internationally, that industry was changing—technology changed everything. I didn’t even know I could become an international educator because my mother tongue is German, not English. I found out through a woman from Canada I met in Spain. She told me she had lived in India, and that was exciting. Then she said she was a teacher, and I thought—wow. I do have a teaching degree, and I love traveling, meeting people, and adventure. So I thought, why not? And I jumped.

Greg: What were you doing in the movie industry?

Ilonka: I was a producer—line producer. Everything to do with content and bringing ideas to life. We did hospital shows, TV movies, films for cinema. I also worked with the European Script Fund and taught film studies in the evenings. I loved it—and I still do.

Greg: I could talk to you for hours about that. I took German in college and did a German film course. My favorite show is Tatort.

Ilonka: Everybody watches Tatort in Germany. It’s a ritual—families watch it on Sundays. I used to work at Studio Hamburg, where some of the Tatort episodes were produced.

Greg: That’s amazing. For listeners—Tatort is filmed in different cities across Germany, with different casts. It’s been running for decades. It’s incredible.

Greg: But let’s get back to teaching. You’ve been in many schools. What do you teach?

Ilonka: I started teaching film studies at university while still in the film world. Then in Turkey, at a German-Turkish school that wasn’t even built yet, I had the opportunity to teach German, drama, and art.

Ilonka: Then I went to Myanmar without a job—it was risky—but quickly got a position at the German Embassy teaching German. Then I moved to the French Institute, teaching German, Spanish, English, art, and drama. Later, I worked at the American Center, part of the U.S. Embassy, teaching ESL, film studies, drama, and public speaking.

Ilonka: Public speaking became a passion. From there, I went to China, set up a German curriculum at an international school, then back to Myanmar, then Jakarta. In Jakarta, I created my dream job—teaching public speaking, drama, film studies, and AP Capstone. I loved it.

Ilonka: Now in Cairo, I teach drama—and hopefully art, inshallah.

Greg: For listeners, “inshallah” means “God willing.” Sometimes it feels like “maybe,” sometimes “probably not,” depending on context. How’s your Arabic?

Ilonka: It could be better. I started strong before COVID with a great teacher, but then stopped. Now I’m motivated again. I can get around, and I’m improving step by step.

Greg: Are you willing to share where you teach?

Ilonka: I taught at the American International School in Egypt, which has two campuses. I was at the West Campus in Giza teaching drama during COVID—mostly online. After two years, I stopped because of the long commute and other changes.

Ilonka: I used that time to write. I love writing. I nearly finished a book and plan to continue teaching again. I also want to motivate older students long-term—to inspire them.

Greg: That’s fantastic. I have a thousand questions already. I remember Cairo well—especially those speed bumps. Ever try grading papers on a bus and hit one of those?

Ilonka: Yes, but I have a different perspective. In 2020, my friend and I had a terrible car accident. It was so serious—we’re lucky to be alive. Because of that, I’m actually grateful for speed bumps. The traffic is intense, and they help slow things down.

Greg: That’s a powerful perspective. Cairo traffic has been compared to a chariot race from Ben-Hur—just with cars instead of horses.

Ilonka: That’s accurate. It’s very different driving culture. You have to adapt.

Greg: I remember taking taxis—one driver gets you partway, then you switch. It was a system.

Ilonka: Yes, and drivers focus on driving, not always knowing exact locations. It’s similar in Indonesia. If you don’t expect it, it can be frustrating.

Greg: You mentioned Jakarta—did you travel much from there?

Ilonka: Yes, from North Jakarta near the marina. You can access the Thousand Islands easily, and Bali is just an hour flight.

Greg: That’s incredible access. What about Cairo—where do teachers travel from there?

Ilonka: Lebanon was a surprise—so close and beautiful. I also traveled to Israel for a drama workshop. Many teachers go to Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Italy, even London or Germany. It’s a great location for travel.

Greg: What’s the student body like at your school?

Ilonka: Mainly Egyptian students, with some from nearby countries. It’s what you might call a host-national school, unlike embassy schools like Cairo American College, which are more internationally mixed.

Greg: That’s a helpful distinction for listeners. I’ve seen similar setups in Honduras and Cambodia—host-national versus fully international mixes.

Greg: I’ve got a funny story about a German student. I was teaching in Cambodia, and I had a German student named Robin. His mom came in one day and said, “My son cannot say his R’s,” but she pronounced it like a “w”—so it sounded like “Wobin.” He wasn’t struggling because of him—he was mimicking his mom’s English pronunciation. In German, his R was perfect. So we worked around it using that awareness. It was one of those moments where language, culture, and teaching all collide.

Ilonka: That’s a great example. I have so many stories like that too. One of my favorites is from China. I arrived with very little technical knowledge, and suddenly I had to teach online. Someone told me to “open Entourage,” and I had no idea what that meant. I was completely lost. Then a colleague said, “Don’t worry, you’ll learn quickly.” The next day he told me, “The Apple lady is coming.” I showed up with a basket—ready to buy apples. It turned out to be Apple tech support.

Greg: That’s fantastic. It’s a reminder that we are always learning—especially in international environments.

Greg: Let’s talk about your book. You mentioned writing—what is it about?

Ilonka: It’s about finding the right fit—especially for teachers. Understanding yourself, your goals, and where you belong.

Greg: That’s huge in international teaching. I often tell people there are different types of schools—host national, embassy schools, fully international. Each has a different feel. When I was in Cambodia, we had over 70 nationalities represented. It was incredibly diverse, and that changes how students interact and how teachers teach.

Ilonka: Yes, and it also changes how we grow as individuals. You adapt constantly.

Greg: Do you think kids are the same everywhere?

Ilonka: Generally, yes. Kids are kids. They want to feel safe, to be seen, to explore. But culturally, they express themselves differently. In Egypt, students are very expressive and passionate. In Southeast Asia, they may be more reserved.

Greg: That matches my experience too. But once they feel safe, they open up anywhere.

Ilonka: Exactly. Creating that safe environment is everything.

Greg: What about respect? Do you feel more respected as a teacher internationally?

Ilonka: Absolutely. In some countries, teachers are deeply respected. In Myanmar, for example, there is a Teacher’s Day where students and parents honor teachers in a very formal way. It felt meaningful.

Greg: That’s a big reason many teachers stay overseas. In some places, that level of respect is harder to find.

Ilonka: And beyond respect, there’s relationship. In international schools, you build real relationships—with students, parents, colleagues. It feels like a community, not just a workplace.

Greg: That community shows up in difficult moments too.

Ilonka: Yes. When I had my accident, the school and colleagues supported me in ways that went beyond professional obligation.

Greg: Let’s shift back to your classroom. You mentioned motivating older students—what does that look like?

Ilonka: It’s about helping students find their voice. In drama and public speaking, they learn to express themselves, to be confident, to take risks. Older students are questioning who they are and where they are going. I create a space where they can explore those questions safely.

Greg: That’s powerful. Do students respond differently depending on the country?

Ilonka: Yes, but the core is the same. Once they trust you, they open up. The path there might differ, but the need is universal.

Greg: You’ve taken big risks—moving countries, changing careers. What advice would you give?

Ilonka: Trust yourself. Be prepared, but don’t wait for everything to be perfect—it never will be. Stay open. Things won’t go as planned, but that’s where growth happens.

Greg: That’s international teaching in a sentence.

Greg: Before we wrap up, anything you’d like to share with listeners considering this path?

Ilonka: Be curious. Stay open. Don’t be afraid of discomfort—that’s where you learn the most.

Greg: Ilonka, thank you so much for coming on the show. This has been a fantastic conversation.

Ilonka: Thank you. It was a pleasure.

Greg: And to our listeners—thanks for tuning in. We’ll see you next time on the International Teacher Podcast.