Ten best cities for being a teacher in an international school
Find out the best locations to look out for in our teaching vacancies
If you could teach anywhere in the world, where would it be? The staff at TIC Recruitment, who work with international schools in some of the most interesting and exotic locations of the world, give their top choices if they were to look for an international school job:
1. Abu Dhabi, says Owen
I’ve always wanted to live a life of luxury, and in Abu Dhabi that’s exactly what you can have! Teachers working here can enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle, some of the accommodation options are amazing, and there are so many great schools to choose from. Don’t forget the weather; it’s awesome, month after month!
2. Hong Kong, says Gemma
The international schools in Hong Kong are some of the most impressive I've seen anywhere in the world. Combine that with the fascinating fusion of East and West, scrumptious food, and welcoming people who you’ll find here, and that all combines to make Hong Kong my number one location. Plus, you'll never get bored of looking at that skyline from the Avenue of Stars!
3. Doha, says Jo
With less hustle and bustle here than in the UAE, there's a sense that you're really able to appreciate Qatar and the culture within. Whether you spend the night sampling Middle Eastern cuisine in Souq Waqif, or taking in the view from the Corniche, the abundance of international schools here makes Qatar, in my view, the jewel of the Middle East.
4. Ho Chi Minh City, says Andrew
This is a great place to live and work and Ho Chi Minh is fast becoming one of the top destinations for teachers. There are some great schools to choose from, a real range of curricula, small and large schools, and good salary packages too.
5. Bangkok, says Daniella
There is such a great way of life in Bangkok. Many of the teachers I’ve spoken with who live and work here have really good lifestyles and love living in Bangkok. The weather is fantastic and there are lots of fun things to do and interesting places to visit; you’ll never be bored! There really is something to suit everyone and anyone here including fascinating historic sites and interesting religious temples as well as the exciting hustle and bustle of city life with good shopping, excellent restaurants and inexpensive hotels. It’s a great location from which to visit many other places in South East Asia such as the Philippines Vietnam, and Cambodia - you can get excellent deals on direct flights to all these countries! There’s also a good selection of top international schools here offering excellent salary and benefits packages.
6. Astana, says Amy
I’ve been working with the international schools in Astana, Kazakhstan for several years and have learnt so much about this amazing city from the teachers who have lived here. People really love it! The Kazakhstanis are very friendly and really welcoming of anyone who is an expatriate. It’s a fascinating city; really exciting and unique and perfect for anyone who wants to live somewhere different and exciting. The teacher salary and benefit packages are very generous in Astana which gives a massive saving opportunity to expats.
7. Dubai, says Hayley
Dubai is a perfect place for teachers who like to travel and those who love to shop! It’s easy to achieve a high quality of life without spending lots of money here and, due to the tax-free salaries, more of your earnings are yours to spend - or even save!
8. Hanoi, says Angie
I think this would be a lovely place to live and work. The climate is tropical, the surroundings are beautiful, it’s easy to travel around here, and there are lots of things to do. Hanoi is a very popular destination for expats of all ages; there’s a great vibe here thanks to the friendly locals and the adventurous travellers. Some of the best international schools in the world are here - along with excellent salaries!
9. Kuala Lumpur, says Anne
I’ve eaten the best food ever in KL! And the selection of international schools here is incredible. There’s a really good mix of traditional culture and modern facilities. The people are very friendly and welcoming and it’s only a drive through the jungle to get to Singapore which is another fascinating place.
10. Mexico City, says Leisha
This would be a really cool place to live and work. There’s a good selection of international schools, and from here I could travel easily throughout South America during the holidays; something I’ve always wanted to do! Plus, think of all the tacos!
Find out more about the great international teaching jobs coming up in all of these amazing locations on our Vacations page. And don’t forget to register with TIC. There’s absolutely no cost, nor obligation. Then we will be able to keep you in touch with all new jobs coming up that might be right for you.
You might also be interested in these informative articles:
What happened when I swapped the UK for teaching overseas
Could Brexit mean opportunity for teachers working in international schools?
What do international school Heads really look for when hiring?
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Andrew Wigford
Andrew is Managing Director of TIC. He has been involved in international education both as a teacher and Headteacher for over 25 years and has worked in Germany, Colombia and Austria. He set up TIC recruitment in 2005 to help teachers find great jobs in great international schools.
Deputy Head Primary