Louise Rolf is one of many teachers who saw the opportunity to teach abroad as a once in a lifetime experience – and is now enjoying a challenging and rewarding international career.
After completing her PGCE at Edge Hill in 2004, Louise got a job in London as a History teacher and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming head of department at the school within two years.
"I enjoyed my job, but I'd always wanted to live abroad at some point," says Louise. "My boyfriend got offered a job in Trinidad so, when we went over there to visit, I took the opportunity to look at some international schools. Trinidad turned out not to be for us, but it planted the idea of teaching abroad in my mind and I started regularly checking the press for international teaching jobs.
"I wanted a change of scene, so when a job came up in Dubai, I jumped at it."
Louise has now been teaching at a private international school in Dubai for the past five years. Despite taking a step down career-wise to move to Dubai, within a year she was promoted to her dream role – head of sixth form – a position that would take a lot longer to work up to in the UK.
"In Dubai you follow the same curriculum as in the UK but you have more freedom to teach it your own way and there is much less paperwork," says Louise. "Because Dubai is such a melting pot of cultures, you also work with a really interesting mix of children who all want to learn.
"It can be challenging but it's very rewarding," she adds, "and how many other jobs give you the chance to go camping in the desert or have barbecues on the beach in your spare time?"
Louise's top tips for international teaching
1. Get some experience first. Most good international schools will ask for at least two years qualified teaching experience. If a school doesn't ask for that, it's probably not the type of school you would want to teach in.
2. Start looking early. The top international schools will have filled their positions by February, so you need to start applying in November to give yourself the best chance.
3. Teach a shortage subject. As in the UK, teachers in Maths and Science are highly sought after abroad and can generally take their pick of the best schools.
4. Don't be afraid to take a step down. Opportunities for promotion are often greater than in the UK.
5. Be open-minded. Teaching abroad takes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to think differently. Only the adventurous need apply.
Content on this page is produced and controlled by Edge Hill University
