Why Choosing to Teach Abroad Was the Right Descion even though I Did Not Get a Degree In Teaching

Many people want to move abroad, and teaching as a language assistant is one way to do so. Teaching may not have been your first choice, but here's why you should still consider it. After all, it can pivot into so many different things. I have met people who have decided to pursue their master's degree after serving as a language assistant, or start their own business after teaching, and even secure remote jobs. These are all things that are possible, and teaching abroad helped them achieve them. 

Time For Other Passions/Hobbies

Since being a language assistant is a part-time job, you have extra time for pursuing other hobbies or passions. People create side hustles such as teaching yoga, dance classes, selling their art at local galleries and cafes (the list truly goes on). I definitely recommend honing in on what you like and possibly turning it into a part-time gig. If you feel like you won’t be growing professionally as a language assistant, this is not true. One thing I did for myself was volunteer work, and I even created my own blog, separate from writing for CIEE (Check out my personal blog: https://idalisvallejo.blog/ ). This is something I always wanted to do, and I finally had time to accomplish some of my personal goals. 

If you don’t have a hobby or passion, this is the perfect time to discover what you enjoy, as you will have ample time and the opportunity to explore your interests. Joining conventions related to your desired career is another way to explore your hobbies or expand your network.

Learn A New Language

Speaking of all the time you will have, learning a new language is an important skill you should prioritize while abroad. Not only will it help you connect with locals and meet people, but being surrounded by it is the best way to learn it. You can take classes, do group conversations, and learn it. Additionally, this will be a valuable skill to bring back to the States, given that we are a melting pot of different languages as well. 

Universal Skillset

Working in a different country immediately gives you a unique set of skills you can add to your resume. Being able to be adaptable, communication skills (especially working alongside people who don’t speak English), the list goes on, and you can truly tailor this to your liking. Teaching and even studying abroad bring different perspectives and interview talking points. Check out CIEE’s resource for adding teaching abroad to your resume: https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/work/teach-english-abroad/blog/10-ways-teaching-english-abroad-can-improve-your-resume 

Networking internationally

Besides being able to travel, you will meet people from all over the world. Some of my colleages that were also language assistants were from New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This is just one example of all the different people you will meet while being abroad. This is your time to network and meet people, which can lead to so many opportunities. That can be a new romantic relationship, a platonic relationship you can visit even years after being abroad, or a business opportunity. 

Being abroad is one of the most beneficial things I and so many others have done for ourselves. It may not have been the first choice after leaving college, but it was the right choice. Don’t think of this opportunity as a waste of time or a waste of your degree because it is so much more. Check out my personal blog for more details on traveling abroad: https://idalisvallejo.blog/resources/