Are You Really Too Old to Teach Abroad?

Spoiler Alert: The “Right Time” is a Myth

If you think you’re too old to teach abroad, I’m here to tell you you’re absolutely not.

Typically when people teach abroad, it’s during a gap year fresh out of college or perhaps it’s a part of schooling and is necessary for credits. If you read my previous blog “Why I Left My Career of 10 Years in Corporate”, you’ll know I didn’t fit either description.

Right before I came to Spain, I had been in the workforce for a decade, owned a home, and was preparing to start a family. I had a lot going on that could have been reasons to stay home, but I also had a lot of reasons to go.

Did my circumstances mean I was at an age I was too old to teach abroad? While I do regret not doing this sooner, it’s not for the reason you may think.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Constant Battle in My Head

The idea of teaching abroad came to mind when I was 25. I had been in my job for about three years and my income allowed me the privilege to travel often. One of my travels was a solo trip to Spain. I hadn’t been before and I was curious to see if this was somewhere I could see myself living if I ever acted on this idea seriously.

Well, the trip left me inspired but I couldn’t help but think making the move was impossible. I was climbing the ladder at work, I had a mortgage to pay, I was coming into my adulthood, establishing roots, and I had a good relationship with my family. All were good things to have, but it equated to feeling like I was “too old” or the opportunity had passed because these factors had me locked down.

So as a result, I stayed where I was – comfortable.

Fast forward five years, I had started a job at a new company, but the dream to go to Spain was still very much alive. This felt even more conflicting now that I had become a little older and had new, if not bigger, factors to consider. There were new opportunities to grow in my career, my family was getting older, nieces and nephews had been born, I was beginning to plan for a family of my own (I had just begun my journey with egg freezing), and I had just started a relationship.

But as I got older and my life had changed, the younger I actually felt because of the stability.

For all the times I asked myself “Why?”, I asked myself “Why not?”

I could have continued to tell myself that things wouldn’t work but instead, I had to remember it absolutely could.

Why should I not go to Spain?

• I had a good income
• I had a mortgage to pay
• I was focusing on my health
• I was planning for a family
• I was in a serious relationship

Why should I not go after my dreams?

• I had enough funds saved up
• I could find a tenant to rent my home
• I was as healthy as I could be
• My friends, family, and boyfriend were all supportive
• I was young, but I wasn’t getting younger

It took a million debates with myself to finally realize the truth: No matter what I decided, everything was going to work out. I could either stay home and be happy with the life I had already created or take a chance to chase my dreams.

It was clear there was never going to be a perfect time to take this leap and that neither situation was bad. The longer I waited for the “perfect” time, the more my circumstances would continue to change. The most important thing wasn’t that I had everything figured out, but that I set myself up for success regardless of which path I took.

So, here I am. What seemed unattainable or an opportunity that passed me by turned out to be possible. I “simply” had to tell myself I could do it.

There were some gaps throughout the process that did worry me though. For example, I hadn’t secured a tenant to rent my home before I left. This meant I had to use my savings to pay my mortgage while I was gone. After I left, it was hard to see my bank account decrease with no source of replenishment. It took a few months of being in Spain, but eventually, someone signed a lease and I was able to put my mind at ease. Until then, I had to remember I had created a safety net of savings that would cover me for the time being even if a tenant never came along.

Age Ain’t Nothin’ But a Number

Looking back on my journey to get here, the only regret I have is not doing it sooner – not because I was younger, but because it kept me from doing something I had wanted for a long time. Had I acted earlier, I would’ve learned to seize the moment instead of waiting for the perfect situation.

Every time I questioned if I should go or not, I was only prolonging the chance to make my dream come true. Even if some of the pieces weren’t figured out, I know now I could’ve trusted that I set myself up for success instead of waiting for everything to be perfect.

I imagine that if I had waited to do this later in life, my circumstances would be different again. Perhaps I’d have kids, health concerns, or more financial restrictions, to name a few. These wouldn’t make teaching abroad impossible, but simply add more things for me to plan for. Age knows no right or wrong time to do anything. What matters most is being in a position to take on whatever may happen.

As someone who is not the traditional age of someone teaching English abroad, I strongly believe in normalizing changing direction in life no matter how many years “old” we are.

Hear me loud and clear: It’s not too late to teach abroad

There is no right age to do this.

In fact, I’ve known of people who have come as retirees or also quit their jobs and even had adult children of their own. I’ve also found a network of other CIEE participants in their 30s. I haven’t been alone and neither will you.

If you’re considering teaching abroad, my advice is to consider where you are in life.

• What are you currently focused on? Can it be resumed later?
• Are you willing to put it on pause or close* the chapter you are in? *Important: this doesn’t always mean once it’s closed, it’s closed forever.
• Do you have a support system? Who is going to give you the moral support or mentorship you need
• What are you hoping to gain out of this experience? Does this change seem worthwhile?

And finally, what is the worst that could happen? If there’s a lot at stake, perhaps this is an opportunity to pause and regroup. Then when your ducks are in a row, pick the idea back up. If the worst that could happen includes a safety net, you’re in a good position.

Instead of thinking of all the reasons it won’t work out, think of all the reasons why it will. After all, we’re not getting any younger, right?

If you're in a similar situation, have questions, or would like to connect, I’d love to hear! Find me on Instagram @travelwithmiv.