Reasons for choosing Spain and Portugal

Want to know why they chose Spain or Portugal? Lots of them said it was a great opportunity to take their careers to the next level. It also allowed them to push themselves out of their comfort zones and try something new.

So if you’re looking for a new challenge, the sunny shores of Spain and Portugal might just be the perfect place for you.

Biggest worries about moving overseas

Don’t worry if you’ve got butterflies about working abroad, trust us, it’s absolutely normal. And you’re not alone, the teachers we spoke to were worried about a few things like:

• Struggling with the language barrier and not being fluent in Spanish or Portuguese. 
• Homesickness and missing family back home.
• Not settling in or liking the country.
• The fear of the unknown.

Feeling nervous is to be expected when going through a big change, so be kind to yourself and don’t stress yourself out about it. And remember, all the teachers loved it, you just have to read their advice later in the blog to see that.

The recruitment process

To apply for jobs overseas they had to:

• Submit a job application with a cover letter.
• Attend a phone call or video call interview. 
• Visit the school.

Not everybody had to visit the school as part of the application process, but if you can, definitely go and see it in person to get a real feel for the place. 

If you’re feeling a bit stuck with your CV and don’t know where to begin, sign up for your preparation pack from Go Educate Global. It’s a little gift from us to you packed with tonnes of top tips on writing your CV, helpful advice on how to nail your virtual interview and plenty of information about international schools.

Biggest challenges when job-hunting

One of the things education professionals said they struggled with when searching for their dream international role was not knowing what the job or the overall experience would be like. 

Finding a job overseas is a big step, so it’s completely normal to experience a couple of hiccups. And remember, life starts outside your comfort zone, so we say go for it. You’ve got this. If you need an extra bit of reassurance, here’s some short and sweet inspiration from the teachers we chatted to:

“Go for it!! It’s a great experience”
Patricia Whitehead, Year 2 Teacher, The British College, Spain

“Do it, you won’t regret it!”
Paula O’Donnell, KS1 Leader, IPS, Portugal

The preparation stage

If there’s one thing teachers said that got them ready for their new role it’s research. Research, research, research. Specifically, they looked into:

• The country.
• The school.
• The local area.
• Asking other international teachers for advice.

Biggest differences between schools in the UK and Spain and Portugal

If you’re someone who’s a little worried about cultural differences and change, then fear not, teachers we spoke to said there wasn’t much of a difference between their new job and their job in the UK. 

So if you’re looking for a new job where the job role requirements are quite similar to what you’re used to, Spain or Portugal might just be the perfect place for you.

Perks of working abroad

When we asked them what they loved most about their jobs in Spain or Portugal, they said:

• The opportunity to learn about and immerse themselves in a new culture. 
• Teaching the children. 
• Building relationships with the parents and families.

Many of them emphasised how teaching abroad in Europe really helped boost their classroom management skills, so it’s a great way to develop your confidence.