Teaching Abroad With A Family: A Complete Guide To Schools, Visas, And Survival

Before deciding how to move to another country with your family, here’s what you need to think about:

1. What matters most to your family?

When looking for the best places to live abroad with family, it’s important to remember that everyone has different priorities, such as education, healthcare, lifestyle, and community support. 

When we moved, we were healthy, had careers we wanted to develop, and felt that living abroad would give our children a richer education than anything they’d ever get at home.

Since our lives have always been devoted to education, and because our children and my husband had never been abroad, we saw moving abroad as a way to broaden their worldview and life skills.

2. Schooling needs serious thought

Finding the right schools for our children brought unexpected challenges, especially for Jennae. 

She was excelling both academically and in sports at home. Modest laws in Arab countries limit female participation in organised sports, but while she couldn’t continue some of her favourite activities, this led to new opportunities. 

Jennae learnt to snorkel around shipwrecks, climb coconut trees for fresh fruit, and became an incredible long-distance sea swimmer. These experiences stuck with her. Today, she’s a qualified open-water sea rescue diver.

Through these adventures, our children discovered resilience and adaptability. With an open mind, it’s possible to thrive anywhere. That spirit of adventure was built into them young, and it’s still there today.

Read more: 7 Unexpected Outcomes Of A TEFL Life

3. Sort out housing before you go

Housing wasn’t a problem — we’d prepared beforehand. When relocating overseas, we made sure we had suitable accommodation and confirmed medical cover before we left.

4. Daily life will look different

Our daily routines changed significantly. Oman is hot! We thought we were prepared — we’d lived in Africa’s sweltering temperatures — but the Arabian desert was a different story, and we hadn’t thought about how to stay cool during the day. We also discovered (after walking ages to the nearest shop) that most outlets closed during the hottest part of the day!

Read more: How To Deal With Culture Shock

5. Plan your transport

Initially, in Oman, we used public transport. Once the girls were enrolled in a bilingual school, we used the school bus for their journeys, and our employers provided staff transport. We purchased a 4×4 and had the time of our lives on weekends. 

South Korea has efficient public transport and fixed fares. Kiara and Monique rode for free due to their age, and with Jennae back home for high school, getting around was easy.

6. Work-life balance matters even more with children

As teachers, we assumed we’d work when our children were at school. This mostly worked out, though there was no after-school care in Oman. My teaching hours matched the children’s schedule, so it wasn’t a problem.

Work-life balance in Oman was excellent. 

Despite the Omani students’ drive to excel, they don’t expect lots of overtime or extracurricular support.

South Korea was different. Both students and teachers face strong expectations. When we first arrived in Seoul, our working hours ran from 11.00 am until late at night. 

Editor’s note: In South Korean hagwons (private language schools), teachers often work afternoon-to-evening shifts, typically 2.00 pm to 10.00 pm, to accommodate students after their public school day (around 8.00 am to 4.30 pm). Exact hours can vary by school.

Read more: What Is A Hagwon? Unpacking The Secrets Of South Korea’s Popular Learning Centres

We relied on a babysitter as childcare options were limited. This wasn’t ideal, and we ended up moving to rural public schools so we could put our family first while still fulfilling our professional responsibilities. If we needed a day off, we had to make up the hours, typically at the weekend. 

Some weekdays, my two younger daughters joined me at school in the kindergarten class, though they mostly attended a preparatory school. There they learnt Korean, developed life skills, and participated in many activities, including camps, taekwondo, and joining an honour society — we were so proud. 

As part of my teaching responsibilities, I led the first 10 minutes of taekwondo class in English, which meant my children could take these courses for free (we just paid for uniforms and exams). 

Through it all, our family’s well-being remained our top priority.

Read more: 7 Steps To Creating A Work-Life Balance For Teachers

Understanding visa requirements is crucial for relocating with a family. Here are a few things to consider:

Check visa requirements

Teachers usually need work visas, while dependents require different visas. We travelled first on my husband’s work visa, then I got my own. Our children used dependent visas. 

The process can be costly, so talk to an expert or ask your new employer for help to avoid unnecessary costs and meet all requirements on time. 

If you’re asking, “Can I move abroad with my child?” you must check whether your destination is child-friendly and what paperwork they need.

Get help from your employer

The process differs significantly by country, so having support from your employer makes a big difference. My husband’s employer helped us, which made things easier. Even so, the paperwork took twice as long and cost way more than we’d been told. Knowing this beforehand could save you a lot of stress.

Start early 

Some families may encounter difficulties with visa approvals, so start the process early. This is especially important for blended families, or if your spouse is travelling as a dependent without a work visa. 

It’s illegal to work without a work visa. I strongly advise that you follow the laws of the country you’re in.

Read more: Do You Need A Visa To Teach English Abroad? TEFL Visa Requirements

To find a TEFL job that accommodates your family, you should: 

Use specialised job boards

You’ll need to look specifically for job boards that focus on family-friendly positions. When we travelled, social networks weren’t what they are today. We applied to individual adverts and waited. 

Now, massive resources like LinkedIn, Facebook, and countless TEFL websites are available — just make sure they’re reliable. 

Learn from travel vlogs 

Many travel vlogs can help you prepare by sharing essential information, like which cell network has the best coverage and the best bank for sending money home.

Make sure your contract covers the essentials

Crucial employment contract provisions include:

• Housing allowances
• Assistance with quality schooling 
• Comprehensive medical coverage in case of emergencies

Read more: What To Expect In A TEFL Contract

Our own experiences highlighted the importance of these provisions. 

For example, while taking a ferry to Masirah Island off Oman’s coast, we were joined by a playful pod of dolphins. In the excitement, Kiara called Monique over to watch. Monique slipped on the deck, cut her chin and needed stitches. We gave first aid from our ‘in case’ kit — we always carried one.

Getting Monique to a medical facility became urgent. In Arab states, medical centres often separate men and women. Typically, I would’ve preferred to stay with my daughter, but local customs made this impossible.

Our host was a young male student of mine, and it wasn’t culturally acceptable for me, as a married woman, to be alone with him. My husband took Monique to the men’s section, with my student translating, while I stayed with Kiara at the holiday cottage.

Choose family-friendly locations

Prioritise schools and communities that are supportive of families when choosing a place to live abroad. While you search for the best country to raise a family, keep in mind that in regions such as the Middle East and the Far East, community life is often especially welcoming to families, but dynamics differ. It’s important to stay mindful of local customs, social norms, and laws.

Consider the availability of parks, extracurricular activities, and social networks when evaluating a location. 

For example, in Arab states, girls are generally expected to dress modestly. Despite this, we still enjoyed swimming. We took a boat to islands out of view from the mainland where the children swam freely, learnt about marine life, ocean currents, and dived to shipwrecks.

In public, my eldest daughter and I made sure our elbows and ankles were always covered. This respected local customs and helped protect us from sunburn.

Read more: Teaching In Saudi Arabia As A Woman

When relocating, consider the following schooling options for your children:

• International schools: These often provide a curriculum similar to what your children are used to, which can help ease the transition. They can be costly, so check for entrance exams and any teacher subsidies.
• Local schools: Enrolling your children in local schools gives them a chance to immerse themselves in the culture, but it may require language and behavioural adjustments. We know expat families who went this route. Their children had to adapt to local versions of English and different social norms, such as eating with their hands and learning to speak the local language.
• Homeschooling: Homeschooling allows for flexibility but requires significant planning and resources. We found this challenging, and it’s not allowed in all countries.  

Although our daughters attended private schools, learning to read and write in both Arabic and English was especially challenging for the youngest two. They were confused by differences in letter formation and writing direction!

Over time, this dual exposure ultimately boosted their learning abilities. Jennae and Monique thrived socially and culturally at school. However, Kiara needed additional support due to learning difficulties.

Financial considerations are paramount when moving abroad.

Budgeting

Create a detailed budget that accounts for housing, schooling, healthcare, and daily expenses. Importantly, take the personal needs of your children and family into account. 

Since we enjoyed outdoor activities and fresh food, we found it easy to budget for our outings. Waterparks, theme parks and sports requiring equipment like skiing can be expensive, so if you wish to indulge in those, you need to plan.

Read more: 8 Simple Money-Saving Hacks All Travelling Teachers Should Know

Income 

Ensure your teaching salary is sufficient to support your family’s needs.

Many teach abroad programmes that pay for housing or offer family packages can significantly ease financial burdens, particularly when it comes to quality schooling and adequate healthcare. A family-friendly employer may offer incentives, since a happy family is likely to stay longer and be more committed.

Saving and expenses

Track your spending and adjust your budget as needed to accommodate unexpected costs. Actually, budget for unforeseen expenses! 

For example, after climbing Mt. Cheongyeongsan and later swimming in the snowmelt at the river below, my husband lost his glasses, despite being very safety-conscious. This delayed our return, and we missed the last bus home, so we took a taxi — it was a pricey accident! Thankfully, his glasses were easily replaced as we had adequate health cover.

Read more: Start-Up Costs For TEFL Teachers: How Much To Budget For

Moving to a new country comes with emotional and cultural challenges. Initially, we naively expected to find the same sort of facilities and conveniences as at home. 

Here are some practical tips for daily life: 

• Be prepared for differences! Be mindful of the local customs, and if unsure, go conservative. 
• Pack comfortable shoes and well-fitting underwear. Plastic-soled shoes don’t work in the desert — you literally leave shoe prints on the boiling pavement as you walk! When the honeymoon of adventure wears off, these small comforts make a big difference.
• Bathrooms can be tricky. Kiara didn’t like Korea’s squat toilets. She insisted someone had pushed them into the ground! They’re fine, but the cubicles aren’t designed for anyone taller than 5’7”, so using them takes a bit of contortion.
• Dining out is different. Street food, like shish kebab (roasted grilled meat) with a tangy tzatziki sauce, is delicious. The tender goat roasted underground for three days to celebrate Eid is a mouth-watering treat. At one feast, the announcer had us all laughing because, as men and women lined up at different tables, he said, “Women will now be served from the back side.” 
• Be mindful of cultural differences. These can affect your family and what is considered acceptable public behaviour. 
• Communicate openly with the family. During transitions, keep an open dialogue with your children. Monique picked up Arabic and Korean quickly, but we often had to remind her to use English at home.

Read more: Three Cultural Considerations For TEFL Teachers

Here are some valuable tips from our family who have successfully taught abroad:

• Do your research: Understand the culture, education system, and lifestyle of your destination country and decide what matters most to you: embracing diversity or maintaining familiar routines.
• Be prepared to adapt to new situations and challenges: If you choose to travel, staying flexible is vital!
• Connect with other expat families for advice and support: Relying on others’ experiences can prevent surprises, such as arriving at an unfurnished home with no water or electricity. In Oman, our network helped us find a good school and a furnished apartment quickly. 
• Embrace local culture: In South Korea, we embraced the local culture wholeheartedly. We went on outings to traditional and religious landmarks with local friends, visited museums, and explored theme parks. Our new friends were always helpful and tolerant, easing the transition. 
• Expect the unexpected: Things won’t always go as planned, so humility and adaptability are important. For example, at a traditional South Korean restaurant, we had to adjust to floor seating at a low table — a small, unexpected challenge (and my husband learnt never to wear socks with holes!). 
• Involve your children in the decision-making: Encourage your kids to express their feelings about the move. They may not have the language to fully express themselves, so give them one-on-one time and a listening ear to help them adjust.
• Plan for change: Create a plan for settling in, including finding local resources and activities for your family. Check in advance what’s available locally. Some medications may need a prescription or be restricted, as we discovered in Oman.
• When travelling with children, pack an “in case” kit: We kept spare underwear, warm clothes, essential medication and extra cash in ours. It really helps!

Read more: The Reality of Teaching English in South Korea: What Nobody Tells You

By considering these factors and preparing adequately, families can make informed decisions about teaching abroad and create a fulfilling experience for everyone involved. If you’re ready to embark on this adventure, do it — your family’s journey awaits!