How To Stay Safe While Teaching English Abroad

10 Travel Safety Tips From Experienced Teachers

Teaching English abroad is an exciting opportunity to explore the world and meet new people, but it also comes with a few safety concerns. No matter where you teach, you need to be mindful of the environment and culture you are entering and be prepared for any potential risks.

Experienced teachers have a lot of tips and advice to help make sure you stay safe while teaching English abroad. From understanding the cultural norms to staying alert and aware of your surroundings, these tips will help you stay safe and secure while having a fantastic experience teaching in a foreign country.

1. Understand the cultural norms

Maybe, you’ve already taken your TEFL certificate online already and are ready to teach English abroad. But you should know that every country has its own cultural norms and practices so it’s important to understand these before you travel.

This will help you blend into the culture and make the most out of your experience:

Behavior – Consider what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior in the country you are visiting. Does the culture value punctuality? Do they like direct eye contact? These are just some examples of appropriate behavior to understand before you travel.
Communication – The way people communicate in the country you are visiting. Do they speak a different language? If so, do you know how to speak it? What are the different ways people communicate? Are there typical greetings or gestures you need to be aware of?
Eating habits – What is the typical eating culture in the country you are visiting? Is it rude to eat while walking in public? Are there any foods you should avoid eating?
Health and security – Any health or security concerns that might be specific to the country you are visiting. Are there vaccines you need to be aware of? What health issues you might encounter? Are there any diseases you need to be cautious of?

2. Research the country you are visiting

Before you travel, take some time to research the country you are visiting. This will help you understand the culture and any potential risks. You can find information from the country’s government website, travel blogs, online forums, and online news sites. You can also look up any recent news stories or travel warnings that have been released. This will help you have a general idea of any risks you might face while in the country.

You can also look up your own country’s travel warnings for that country. You can find this information on your government website or any consulate website. These warnings can alert you to any risks or concerns that might be specific to your country.

3. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings

Being aware of your surroundings and staying alert is important when traveling and teaching abroad. This will help you spot any potential risks and keep you safe. You can apply this in any location, but it’s especially important when in busy areas or places with high traffic.

Keep the following in mind to stay alert and aware of your surroundings:

Be mindful of your appearance – What you wear and how you present yourself. This can impact how others treat you and could be misinterpreted in some cultures. Be mindful of what you wear and how you present yourself to avoid any issues.
Avoid traveling alone – Avoid traveling alone in public areas and at night. This will help you avoid any potential risks and you’ll feel more secure. You don’t want to put yourself in a dangerous situation where you are alone.
Keep your valuables out of sight – Keep your valuables out of sight when traveling with others. This will help you avoid any confrontations that may occur and keep your valuable possessions safe.
Know where you are – Know your surroundings and know which areas are safe to travel in. If you are unsure, find a local or travel with a friend.
Keep an eye on your belongings – Keep an eye on your belongings at all times and stay alert for any potential pickpockets or scammers. This will help you avoid any issues with your belongings and any potential risks.

4. Have a backup plan

Before you travel, have a backup plan in place in case anything goes wrong. Have the details of the nearest hospital, police station, or consulate in your wallet just in case you need them. Keep the details of someone back home such as a friend or family member just in case you need to contact them.

You can also have a travel insurance policy in place. This will help cover you in case of medical emergencies, misspelled plans, or any other travel-related issues. Having a backup plan will help you stay safe and secure while traveling abroad.

Overall, it’s important to have a plan for any potential issues that might occur while abroad. You never know what could happen so it’s better to be prepared.

5. Stay connected with family and friends

While you are traveling, stay connected with family and friends back home. This will help you feel more secure and less isolated. You can use social media or apps like Skype or WhatsApp to stay connected. It’s also important to let your family and friends know when you will be traveling and when you’ll arrive home.

This will help them feel more at ease and know that you are safe. You can use apps such as TravelSAFE to let your loved ones know when you will be traveling or when you will be home. You can also use these apps to let friends and family know if you experience any issues or feel unsafe while abroad.

6. Exercise caution when meeting people

You never know who you might meet while traveling so it’s important to exercise caution when meeting new people. You can meet people in a number of ways such as in hostels or at cultural events. You can also meet people online when using social media. It’s important to exercise caution when meeting new people so you don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation.

Here are a few tips to exercise caution when meeting new people.

Trust your instincts – Trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right. There may be a reason for this so pay attention to your feelings. Trusting your instincts and being aware of your surroundings can help you avoid dangerous situations.
Meet in public – Try to meet new people in public areas such as cafes or parks. This will help you feel more secure and avoid putting yourself in a risky situation.
Don’t share too much personal information – Don’t share too much personal information with people you just met such as where you are staying or going. This will help keep you safe and avoid being misled.
Avoid meetings alone – Avoid any meetings with people alone. This will help you feel more secure and avoid putting yourself in a risky situation.

7. Know the local emergency services

Knowing the local emergency services can help you in case of an emergency. It’s important to know how to contact them and what their hours of operation are. You can find the details of the local emergency services by looking them up online. You can also ask your school if they know the number.

Knowing the local emergency services can help you in case of an emergency. You can call them if you experience any issues or feel unsafe. This will help you get the help you need in a quick and efficient manner.

8. Follow the laws of the country

It’s important to follow the laws of the country you are visiting. You can find the laws of the country you are visiting on their government website. Keep in mind that you are a visitor in their country so you have to respect the laws.

This can help you avoid any issues while in the country. There are likely laws that are specific to the country you are visiting. Be sure to know and follow these laws to stay out of trouble and avoid being fined or arrested.

9. Invest in travel insurance

It’s important to invest in a travel insurance policy before you travel. This will help you stay safe and secure while abroad. You never know what can happen while traveling so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Travel insurance can cover you for a wide variety of issues such as medical emergencies, missed flights, lost or stolen items, etc. Having travel insurance will help you stay safe and secure while traveling abroad. You don’t know what could happen while traveling so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

10. Stay safe and have fun

Teaching English abroad is a great way to see the world while making a little money. It can also be challenging. However, when you work in a foreign country, you can still make it work if you use the right techniques.

You will need to get used to the culture and behaviors of the country you’re in, but once you do, you can have a great time and make some new friends. To make sure you stay safe while working in a foreign country, make sure you are aware of any potential risks.

You can also use the tips from this article to help you be a successful teacher abroad. While you can’t guarantee safety, you can greatly reduce your chances of being harmed.