Staying longer than expected

[bustour]

Is it common for teachers working abroad to stay in their host country much longer than expected? And is it really possible?

I know of one acquaintance who did this in Japan. He basically went over to teach for awhile, fell in love, and was able to find permanent work of some kind. He's now been there for three years or so.

Is this a common occurrence in your experience?

[harold h]

Yeh, extending your time abroad teaching is more on a case by base basis. I can't say the majority do or the majority don't.

There are those that head abroad to teach, and return back home after a year. Then there are an equal number than stay on for another year and so on. It really depends on how much you enjoy your new life teaching abroad.

I have been teaching abroad now for 2 years and at this stage have to plans to return home. I love my life now, and am independent with my own apartment and no household rules as I'm paying the rent. Also, teaching gives me a comfortable lifestyle.

Once you start of teaching and get your work permit, then it's really straight forward to continue expanding each year.

[rajat.pay]

When living abroad you can meet new people, experience new cultures, want to find part-time or holiday jobs so that they can afford to stay longer, i guess most teachers try this and infact enjoy the experience.

[Tutor]

Also the pay that you get teaching abroad plays a part in it. If you earn more and obtaining work permit for permanent work is easy then people tend to extend their stay.

[exported_kiwi]

I initially came to China for one year to teach, but that kinda changed and I've now been here for a little over 2 years.

I'm not sure if I can say that there was one specific thing that made me want to stay, except my girlfriend and I don't think even she would've influenced me enough to stay. It's more of a collection, or accumulation of things, that made me stay. The ease of work, the lifestyle, the relative respect we're accorded all played a part, but even that's not it!

I really don't know why I'm still here.... must just love the life right now, and where I am/what I'm doing etc. It sure as hell isn't about money because I can earn a helluva lot more back home! Some people, like me, just like to be on cruise control for a while I guess.

[10cents]

Originally Posted by bustour

Is it common for teachers working abroad to stay in their host country much longer than expected? And is it really possible?

I know of one acquaintance who did this in Japan. He basically went over to teach for awhile, fell in love, and was able to find permanent work of some kind. He's now been there for three years or so.

Is this a common occurrence in your experience?

I've never taught in a foreign country but that could happen. After all, teachers are also human and could fall in love a place or person. Japan is a very beautiful country with lots of lovely ladies.