ITP - 69: From TEFL to International Teacher in Thailand

Greg: Welcome back to the International Teacher Podcast. This is Greg, the single guy, and today I’ve got Jacqueline with me. How are you doing, Jacqueline?

Jacqueline: I’m doing great. I’m excited for this one.

Greg: Yeah, me too. We’ve got a really interesting guest today. Would you like to introduce her?

Jacqueline: Absolutely. So today we have someone I’ve known for quite a while, and I’m really excited to have her on. Welcome to the show.

John: Thank you so much. I’m really happy to be here.

Greg: So what we usually like to do is start with your story. Give us a bit of your background—where you’re from and how you ended up in international teaching.

John: Sure. So I’m originally from Canada, and I started my career teaching locally. I didn’t initially plan to go international, but I had friends who were doing it, and they kept telling me about their experiences.

At some point, I realized I wanted something different. I wanted to travel, see more of the world, and challenge myself professionally.

So I started looking into international schools, went to a job fair, and that’s how it all began.

Greg: That seems to be a common theme—someone plants the seed.

John: Exactly. Once the idea is there, it’s hard to ignore.

Jacqueline: Do you remember your first placement?

John: Yes, my first job was in the Middle East. It was a big adjustment at first, both culturally and professionally.

Greg: What was the biggest challenge during that transition?

John: I think it was a combination of things. Being far from family, adjusting to a new culture, and figuring out a new school system all at once.

But at the same time, it was exciting. Everything was new.

Greg: That first year is always a bit of survival mode.

John: Definitely. You’re just trying to keep your head above water.

Jacqueline: And then it usually gets better.

John: Yes, once you find your rhythm, it becomes much more enjoyable.

Greg: So after that first placement, what happened next?

John: After a couple of years, I started to feel more confident and began looking for new opportunities. I wanted to experience different regions and different types of schools.

That led me to my next position, which was in Asia.

Jacqueline: That’s quite a shift.

John: It was, but by then I was more prepared. I knew what to expect in terms of moving and adapting.

Greg: Did that second move feel easier?

John: In some ways, yes. I had a better understanding of how international schools work, and I knew how to handle the logistics.

But every place has its own challenges, so it wasn’t completely easy.

Greg: That’s the reality of this lifestyle.

John: Exactly. You get better at it, but it never becomes completely simple.

Greg: So after Asia, where did your journey take you next?

John: After Asia, I moved to Europe. That was another big shift, but in a different way. It felt more familiar culturally, but the school environment was very different.

Jacqueline: How so?

John: The expectations were different, the structure was different, and even the relationships with students and parents had a different tone. It took some adjustment.

Greg: That’s interesting because people often assume Europe would be the easiest transition.

John: In some ways it is, but professionally it can still be quite different depending on the school and country.

Jacqueline: And how long were you there?

John: I was there for about four years. It was a really important period for me professionally. I took on more responsibility and started to move into leadership roles.

Greg: Was that something you were aiming for?

John: Not initially, but over time I realized I enjoyed having a broader impact beyond just my classroom.

Greg: That’s usually how it starts.

John: Exactly. You try something, and then you realize you like it.

Jacqueline: And then what came after Europe?

John: After Europe, I moved again—this time to South America. That felt like a completely different experience again.

Greg: Back closer to home, in a way?

John: Yes and no. It was geographically closer to where I’m from, but culturally still very different from Canada.

Jacqueline: What stood out to you about that experience?

John: The community. It was a very tight-knit environment. People were very welcoming, and it was easy to build relationships.

Greg: That makes a huge difference.

John: It really does. It can completely change your experience in a place.

Jacqueline: So looking at all these moves—Middle East, Asia, Europe, South America—how do you decide when it’s time to move on?

John: That’s a tough question. For me, it’s usually a feeling. When I start to feel too comfortable or like I’ve learned what I can from a place, I start thinking about what’s next.

Greg: That’s very in line with what we hear from a lot of international teachers.

John: Yes, it’s a balance. You want stability, but you also want growth.

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