Neil’s classroom in Wuhu, China.

Teaching Traveling: Welcome to Neil Robertson, a Scottish traveler who spent four months teaching in China. Neil, tell us about your background.

Neil: I’m 25, Scottish, living and working in Glasgow now having been travelling for the last five years. I started in 2008 working in Italy and my travels have included trips to China, Japan, South Africa and Brazil amongst others. The experience that had the strongest impact on me was the four months I spent in the little known, but brilliantly named, city of Wuhu in Central China. 

The view from Neil’s bedroom window at Aston Language Centre.

TT: Agreed, that is a fabulous name. Tell us more about your travels. 

N: It’s a long, long way to Wuhu. Not famous or obviously significant, you can find it in the (relatively) tiny Anhui Province, about 4 hours by train west of Shanghai. But I loved Wuhu for its simplicity, its unassuming personality and its kind and considerate people. It’s also a great place to use as a base if you plan to travel throughout China over a few months. China is an extraordinary country and, for me, the most fascinating country in the world at present. Life in the big cities charges along at breakneck speed, while the calm and considerate approach to life in the rest of the country is just as captivating. My day job was teaching English to local students while in my spare time I was tucking away savings to indulge the adventurer in me and explore as much of the country as I could.

Chaos on the streets of Wuhu, China.

TT: Awesome! How did you learn about this opportunity?  

N: I was employed by Aston Language Centre, a small teaching company that sub-contracts native English speakers to educational establishments throughout Wuhu. I came across them via my university careers service. Aston were a great employer and there was a lot of variety to the teaching – one day I could be teaching college students and then the next I could be spread eagled on a beanbag with toddlers. It keeps you on your toes, mentally and physically. Aston also employ other western teachers so I was alongside four British and American colleagues, which helped to reduce the culture shock.

TT: Great resource. How did you fund your travels?

N: My salary, by Wuhu norms, was pretty fair and covered my day to day costs. Accommodation was also provided as part of my contract so if I had just stayed in Wuhu for my four months I would probably have broken even. But to go all that way and not take some time to travel would be tragic, so trips to Shanghai, Beijing et al require extra funds. I had some savings set aside and it remains one of the best investments I’ve ever made.

TT: I bet! Tell us a particularly memorable moment from your time in Wuhu.

N: One of the colleges where I taught regularly invited me to their end of term party, which took the form of an X-factor style talent show. I’m a ridiculously dedicated fan of Bon Jovi and with much encouragement agreed to perfrom one of their songs, with my Chinese language assistant Wu completing the unlikely duet. I’m a terrible singer, just awful, but it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime things that I got to perform the Jovi on stage in front of hundreds of “fans” (perhaps stretching it just a little). I can die a happy man.

Cover your ears! Cultures merge as Scotland and China salute Bon Jovi.

TT: Hilarious! How has this experience impacted you as a person and in your career? 

N: I can’t think of anything that has affected me more strongly. Teaching is such an intensive way to make a living, it’s full of highs and lows but nothing beats that feeling of knowing you delivered a good lesson and had a positive impact on a student at the same time. I also found it addictive and although this was to be my last job as a teacher I now spend a lot of my time working in a Marketing capacity to aid the career prospects for young people in Scotland, particularly those from difficult backgrounds. I’ll always be grateful to my time in China for setting me down that road. 

It also fuelled my love of travel – experiencing different places and meeting new people, also very addictive. I also work in travel consultancy with my co-owned small business www.LocomotionTravel.co.uk. Sharing travel and work abroad stories is another big passion of mine, and there’s always more of the world to see.

The experience even turned me into an author! I wrote my own book while I was there and published it shortly after my return: Wuhu: A China Adventure which was a lot of fun.

Neil joined a local football team known simply as The Foreigners.

TT: Wow! What advice do you have for teachers who want to travel or travelers who want to teach?

N: If you are considering a similar experience I can only recommend putting all inhibitions aside and giving it a good try. Choosing your employer wisely is key and having a short term contract as I did allowed for much more flexibility (my four months felt more like a year, in a good way). Overall, doing some research and being open-minded is essential, both in the classroom and in everyday life as an expat. These books really motivated me as well when I was looking for some extra reassurance and take into account the challenges of teaching, and of living in such a complex place as China: Wuhu Diary by Emily Prager and River Town by Peter Hessler.

It has the potential to be the most amazing thing you ever do, that’s got to be worth taking a chance on.

TT: Thanks so much, Neil! Readers, what questions or comments do you have? 

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! Short-Term Teaching Abroad in Wuhu, China. Woo hoo! originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.

Liam (left) and Tyler (right) in the shadow of one of Bagan’s bigger temples.

Teaching Traveling: Welcome to Tyler Haines! Tyler, tell us about your background.

Tyler: I’m 20 years old and from Johannesburg, South Africa. I worked a number of jobs in the service industry including waiting and bartending following my completion of high school in 2010. I worked hard up till mid 2012, saving money with the dream of traveling abroad. I had never left my home country before and looked for ways in which I could sustain a prolonged travel experience overseas.

I came across teaching English in Thailand, and from there on my mind was set on teaching. After an internet search, I did a great TESOL course through XploreAsia before being placed in a teaching position in a small rice farming village west of Bangkok for two and a half months. During my time teaching I had saved enough money to travel with a friend of mine to Myanmar where we documented our experiences from the perspective of an English teacher. I now work with XploreAsia to encourage and inspire both the young and old to teach, travel and embrace adventure.  I have now been living in Thailand for just over 4 months.

School children observe as Tyler navigates a plank joining two classrooms on Inle Lake.

TT: Awesome! Tell us more about your travels.

T: As I’ve mentioned before I recently travelled to Myanmar with a friend of mine, Liam for an epic two week adventure. As well as being a teacher I am also an avid photographer, videographer and writer and throughout our travel experience through Myanmar, Liam and I documented our experience in a multimedia diary. Our aim was to prove that an English teacher in Thailand has the ability and the opportunity to further their travel experience.We wanted to encourage people to take a step out of their comfort zone and embrace something out of the ordinary.

The adventure totaled just over 2 weeks, 2 major cities and 4 small towns and was captured in 8 videos, 13 journal entries and an array of awesome photography. Thailand and Myanmar are the only 2 destinations so far that I have ventured through, however I have plans to scale most of Southeast Asia within the next year or so.

Tyler takes in the sights, sounds and smells of a market in Bagan.

TT: How did you find the money to fund this travel? 

T: Getting to Thailand was the hard part, and I worked since school to save the money I needed through bartending and waiting. Once there, though, Teaching in Thailand funds itself and still allows for money to be saved for further travel.

TT: That’s good to hear. Tell us one moment from your travels that was particularly powerful.

T: The most memorable part of my travels through Myanmar was an incredible 50 mile motorcycle ride through the Northeastern mountains of the Shan state. The 50 mile journey took 5 hours along dead-fall cliff edges while competing with large trucks commuting boulders from mines in the mountainside. The scenery was unforgettable, and that coupled with the fact that I have a passion for riding motorcycles made this particular event one of my fondest.

A great image as a leg rower showcases his talent on Inle Lake.

TT: How have your travels impacted you as a teacher, and in your career path?

T: Ironically being a travelling teacher in Thailand I often find myself learning a lot more than I’m teaching. Southeast Asia is just so vastly different from my home country and so diverse that I’m learning and experiencing something new every day. Truth is that I can never see myself working behind a bar ever again, and that notion has urged me to encourage other people to do the same.

TT: How have your travels impacted you as a person?

T: I have learnt and grown up so much over the past 4 months that for some of my friends and family back home, it’s difficult to fathom that I am the same person that left 4 months ago. As I’ve mentioned, I’m learning and experiencing every day.

A typical yet surreal scene as one navigates the villages of Inle Lake.

TT: What advice do you have for teachers who are dreaming of travel, or travelers dreaming of teaching? 

T: There is no value in life if you don’t take a leap into the unknown and out of your comfort zone. For me, teaching abroad has been so rewarding and is a great way to truly immerse yourself in a new culture as well as provide a service that is so greatly needed and valued by communities. I now work with XploreAsia, a company that orientates, trains and places teachers across Southeast Asia all the while encouraging the idea adventure. Visit xploreasia.org or contact me directly at play369tyler@gmail.com.

TT: Thanks so much, Tyler! Readers, what questions or comments do you have?

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! From Bartender-Waiter to Teacher and Videographer in Asia originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.

A job as a Tequila farmer?!

Teaching Traveling: Today we have a different type of teacher. Turner Barr is a man who travels around the world, taking vastly different odd jobs at a rapid pace, and teaching his readers about them through his blog, Around the World in 80 Jobs! Wait until you hear about some of these gigs…

Turner, tell us about your background.

An amazing job avocado farming.

Turner: Well my name is Turner. I am 28, a helpless travel-holic, and I love the hustle. I have been travelling basically on and off through university and since graduating in 2007.  I have been pursuing a lifestyle of living abroad full time for the past 6 years. In a nutshell, I go to different countries, and do different travel jobs, and write about the experience. Sometimes it is an odd job just to have an interesting experience, such as harvesting agave on a Tequila farm, other times, it is a job where you can make money, like street tour sales in Rome.

Turner doing street tour sales in Rome.

 TT: Neat! Tell us more about your travels.

 T: I travel so much that it is hard to say what is work and what is play. I try to combine the two. But one of my last pure travel experience, where work couldn’t be done, as there was little to no Internet, was in Cuba in May. I spent three weeks, enjoying mojitos, sexy dancing, and novel-worthy beaches.  I have been to few countries that make me both sad and inspired. The architecture, live music, dancing, and vibe are beyond words, so I won’t even attempt.

Turner cruising in Havana, Cuba.

TT: Wow! How did you find this travel opportunity?

T: I was in Mexico, just finishing up working on an avocado farm, and the farmer, a young budding entrepreneur, told me about how great and intense Cuba was. So I had to check it out for myself.

A well-paid job as a Timeshares Sale Guy.

TT: How do you fund all your travels?

T: All of my travel I fund through the jobs that I talk about on my website, such as running my own copy-editing/copy-writing business, expertproofread.com, or other jobs from my site that also make money. As I mentioned, not all jobs that I have done on my site pay, but some jobs like Timeshare Sales do pay, and pay well.

TT: Tell us one moment from your travels that was particularly funny.

T: I recently was working in a pizzeria in Rome. This was a particularly funny event, as letting me anywhere near a kitchen or expensive machinery is a pretty bad idea. I am clumsy with a pen and even clumsier with a knife. So needless to say, watching my poor co-workers having to deal with my blunders in the kitchen made for an interesting experience. 

TT: Have your travels helped you in your career? 

T: Yes. My travels inspired me to look for a permanent way to live abroad. But I wasn’t blessed with computer skills, I studied political science, and at the time (and still for the most part), the information available online about working abroad was vague and I couldn’t tangibly see anyone doing it. It was just bs sites built for adsense clicks – peddling information, or some article written by some guy on a travel blog site farm talking about top five best dream travel jobs, without even the slightest real account of the job or how to get it, since they never had done the job themselves. Which is why I am doing what I am doing.  If a hopeless unemployable klutz like me can do it, anyone can.

WIth a Cuban Tobacco Farmer.

TT: How have your travels impacted you as a person?

A job as a Christmas tree salesman?!

T: My travels are who I am. I have been on the road for so long it has become a part of me, and my identity. It is not just a hobby, but it is part of what makes me tick as a person. From gaining cultural knowledge, to understanding the pain and love that went into the tequila that I drink more than occasionally comes from, to learning from entrepreneurial jobs I attempt – both in success and failure. These travel experiences are more than just an impact; they are me.

TT: What advice do you have for teachers who are dreaming of travel, or travelers dreaming of teaching?

T: Do it. Take action. Plan a bit, but take action. You don’t know until you have tried, and the direction and impact will be different than expected, but that excitement is what life is all about. I think the quote goes, “I would rather live a life of ‘Oh Wells’ than a life of ‘What ifs’”. Do it.

TT: Thanks so much, Turner! Readers, what questions or comments do you have for this remarkable traveler?

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! Traveling the World by Finding Vastly Different Odd Jobs originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.

Maria in Brugges at the Christmas Market.

Teaching Traveling: Curious about making a career through online teaching? Learn more from Maria Ortega Garcia!

Maria, tell us about your background.

Maria: I am a 32 year old teacher of no fixed abode. Since I finished my degree in Arts and specialized in Applied Languages, I started teaching and traveling, and accomplished a Masters and a PhD in the meantime, all on the move. I have taught Spanish in a high school in France, French in different enterprises, and French, English and Spanish as foreign languages in different School of Languages to all ranges of ages and nationalities.

I was a language teacher working face to face in group and private classes until I started my own business working online because I wanted to travel. However, quitting my students in the middle of the process of their learning until their fluency made me feel bad because I didn’t want to break the commitment I had with them. So I found the solution: Teaching via Skype, I could travel without the necessity of stopping teaching! So I became an online teacher two years ago. I traveled around Ireland, India, Turkey, Belgium, Indonesia and I am currently in Australia. And I keep teaching my students from everywhere I am. The only downside is that while traveling I don’t get to have many in person classes so whenever I get the chance and stop for over a month in place, I organize group classes on site.

TT: Amazing! Tell us more about your travels.

M: I don’t belong to the formal education system, which means that except my school year teaching in the high school in France, the rest of my teaching experience belong to school of languages. So I have really never had time outside my regular teaching job. I have only changed locations. From France back to Spain, then to Ireland, then to some traveling around Amsterdam and Belgium, then India, Turkey, Bali and now Australia.

Maria falling in love with a kangaroo in Adelaide, Australia.

TT: Tell us one moment from your travels that was particularly funny.

M: As I said, I continue teaching while I am traveling, which means that sometimes I give my class in different and not always perfect locations. Last May I was teaching from Dharamsala from a nice cibercafe with the sound of honking cars and cows as the background. A month later, I was teaching from my hotel terrace in Istanbul while the muezzin called to prayer from a mosque nearby… during my class. That brought on the consequent shocked face of my student and the resulting question: “Where are you now María?”

In the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey.

My students are sometimes shocked with all the changes of location until they learn their teacher is a bit nomadic. But since my travels don’t affect their classes in any way, those things add excitement to their class and all of them they have come to appreciate the changes of scenery of their teacher.

TT: Love it! How have your travels impacted you as a teacher, and in your current career?

M: Traveling has had a major impact in me as a teacher and I believe it made me a better one: more understanding of other cultures and ways of thinking as well as how and why different cultures do things. All my classes are always multicultural, which I am thankful for, so the more I travel the more I get to enjoy and make a multicultural class to thrill and excel because the culture of the students is familiar to me, and when it is not, I am so curious that, somehow, I transmit the curiosity into the rest of the students, so that the class is not only language class but multicultural class where all have something to contribute with.

I think traveling made me more open to listen and watch out for assumptions about right/wrong ways to do things just because the dominant or native culture does them that way. Traveling made me more aware of the possible biases or assumptions that the teacher may bring to the classroom. So now I foster a broader view that I hope might serve as a model for my students’ behavior. Traveling helped me to consider other ways to tackle problems, interpret issues, and demonstrate learning that may be different from what I or others have experienced.

TT: How have your travels impacted you as a person?

M: My travels are what have changed me more as a person, and they keep doing it. They opened my mind to different ways of thinking and doing things. All these differences made me less judgemental and more understanding and compassionate. I am more curious about other cultures. My travels have had a very strong impact in me. I am now more independent and resourceful and less strict with the idea of “how things should be” because this idea is different in every place. I have a broader view and a more relaxed attitude towards difficulties and different situations.

Blown by the wind in the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland.

TT: What advice do you have for teachers who are dreaming of travel, or travelers dreaming of teaching?

M: Just do it! Take the leap and do it! There’s always a way, and fortunately for us, travelers and teachers, we can combine both. Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions in the world, and traveling, well, it’s one of the most rewarding activities one person can accomplish. If you are a teacher who wants to travel, there are many ways to do it, and this blog is a proof of that. If you are a traveler and got the teaching bug, I’d advise you to form yourself as a teacher and start practicing. If you are a traveler, you’d likely be a great teacher.

TT: Thanks so much, Maria! Readers, what questions or comments do you have for this traveling teacher? And do check out her site, mariaortegagarcia.com!

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! A Job Teaching a Language Online With Skype During Travel originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.

Jonny teaching English in Hong Kong. What a cute photo!

Teaching Traveling: Jonny Blair is a traveling Northern Irishman currently teaching English in Hong Kong. His travels have taken him to Peru, Botswana, Antarctica and Taiwan. He runs a popular and regularly updated travel site called Don’t Stop Living and admits he has “no idea” where he will end up next.

Jonny, tell us about your background.

Jonny: I grew up in the town of Bangor in Northern Ireland back in the 1980s and 1990s but having left there a decade ago, I have managed to live, work and travel around the world. As a result I have changed jobs a lot and I’m always budgeting. I’m 32 now. I’ve worked in bars, on boats, in theatres, on farms, in offices and countless other places. My travels have taken me to all seven continents, and almost seventy countries to date. So while teaching wasn’t what I planned to do, I am now a Native English teacher in Hong Kong! I just kind of fell into it! When I arrived in Hong Kong I was working in a pub and at a party one night a guy told me about an English teaching job so I applied and got it. It was just a bit of fate. I have done Kindergarten, Primary School and Private Tutoring.

Jonny updating his blog at half time in a football match.

TT: Wow! Tell us more about your travels.

J: I have traveled extensively and on a very regular basis for the last ten years. My highlights were a two week tour of Antarctica and the four day Inca Trail hike in Peru. On my travels I have also bumped into Roger Federer in Melbourne, sky dived, bungy jumped and crossed the equator by foot.

Antarctica is my favourite trip so far. I got a 13 day tour as a special offer which left from Ushuaia on the south tip of Argentina. We landed on the Antarctica Continent, we visited the British and Polish bases, we saw thousands of penguins, done a few hikes and we even went for a swim in the ice cold waters at Deception Island. It was totally inspiring.

These trips were before I became a teacher, the best (and most surprising) trip I have been on since becoming an English Teacher is to the Fujian Province in China. The Earthen Buildings there and the island of Gu Lang Yu were very unexpected travel gems!

Jonny in Antarctica on the top of Cuverville Island.

TT: How do you find these travel opportunities?

J: I had always wanted to go to Antarctica– it fascinated me– and it was when I was living in Tasmania when I visited the Antarctic Centre that my childhood dream became a real probability. Once I knew I wanted to finally do Antarctica, I just shopped around for a good deal and booked it early to ensure I knew I was doing it. Six months later I stepped on the Antarctic mainland at Neko Harbour!

TT: Amazing. How do you fund your travels?

J: All my travel is self funded from working and I have had over 20 different jobs. I have never been out of work in my adult life. The Antarctica trip I funded entirely from working on broccoli fields. I lived in my tent up in the mountains of Poatina in Tasmania, working 12 hours a day and 7 days a week for a few months. I had bought a cheap car at the time so I was also basically sleeping and living out of my car and tent for around 6 months! One day,having been isolated for a month or so, I checked my bank account and realised that I had enough money to finally book my Antarctica adventure– so I did! I find that travel just falls into place, I try not to plan things too much, in fact I only ended up in Tasmania in the first place because of a mate I was living with and look where life led me!

Jonny relaxing on the south tip of Taiwan at Eluanbi.

TT: Tell us one moment from your travels that was particularly powerful, interesting, or funny.

J: Just one moment? There are so many to choose from! Can I go for the day I swam naked in Antarctica? That pretty much tops the list. We assembled in a group at Whaler’s Bay – there were about 100 of us on the ‘beach’ waiting and watching but only about 30 of us went in to the ice cold water for a dip. Once I got in the water, I whipped my green shorts off for a slight celebration of freedom in the world’s coldest, most remote and most peaceful continent. One of life’s better days.

I also smuggled drugs by accident in Argentina, worked on the world’s first broccoli harvester, crossed into North Korea and appeared on Slovenian TV.

TT: Whoa! How have your travels impacted you as a teacher, and in your current career?

J: My job is my job and my travels are my travels. I always keep work separate. It’s my mentality. I give 100% in work but when I leave the door and I’m not being paid by that company, it’s my life. Teaching has allowed me to have decent holidays off to travel in short bursts to the Asian places I’ve missed out on before. I normally work 5 days a week in kindergartens, a half day Saturday in the Primary School and a few hours of private tutoring. Three incomes ultimately means more money for my travels. I also write for a number of magazines and run 3 websites (my main website “Don’t Stop Living” is kind of my passion!!)

Jonny working on a broccoli farm in Tasmania.

TT: How have your travels impacted you as a person?

J: To be totally honest, they haven’t really changed me that much. I am still a quiet Northern Irishman who likes to watch football, have a beer and talk to my mates! Honestly. No matter where you travel to, you should not forget your homeland and your friends and family. OK, so it has impacted on me in that I don’t see my family and friends as much as I should. But deep down the only other change is I can now tell you with my own eyes what the world actually looks like. I budget more for sure– I won’t waste money on ridiculous things such as TVs, beds, mortgages, flats or taxis!

TT: What’s it like teaching English in Hong Kong?

J: To be honest, it’s pretty fulfilling. A lot of Hong Kong people work too hard and allow work to rule their lives, which affects their social commitments. But I don’t! I have an 8am – 5pm teaching job and that’s exactly what I do. The kids are all fun and they really want to learn English. Hong Kong is a totally fantastic place to teach English and to live and I would totally recommend it to anyone out there!! If you need any further advice on teaching in Hong Kong, just send me an e-mail or message through my website, http://dontstopliving.net. Rate of pay is good, standard of life is excellent and there are countless things to see and do in this contemporary skyscraping metropolis! English teachers– what are you waiting for??! Head to Hong Kong!!

Jonny down the pub relaxing, having a beer!

TT: What advice do you have for teachers who are dreaming of travel, or travelers dreaming of teaching? 

J: Teachers, my first advice (which is obvious) is if you have ever thought about traveling, don’t just think it, do it!! You can teach in pretty much any location in the world and earn at least enough money to get you by – normally more. You can immerse yourself in local culture, one which is alien to you. You will meet hundreds of amazing new people and you will have such a varied and fulfilled life. I want to pass on my inspiration for anyone out there that wants to travel (not just teachers) – anyone can travel the world. You just need to make the first step. The most important thing to be is self confident and hard working. I have managed to get a job everywhere I have wanted one – and you can too! It is your life – don’t be bound to a company and don’t get stuck in a route. Book your first trip, pack your bags and off you go!!

Travelers – Simply find a place you traveled to which you love or loved and stay there, checking out job options. Get your TEFL/TESOL to give you a start and land yourself a teaching job. Congratulations you now live and work in your favourite place in the world!!

Jonny in Machu Picchu, Peru after the 4 day Inca Trail.

TT: Finally, how on earth did you end up traveling the world?

J: Interestingly it was never my plan. I enjoyed looking at maps as a child but was set on a career in journalism or something related (I still write of course and have a degree in PR). But the catalyst to why I traveled is actually because the butchery counter I worked in back in 2002 ran out of meat one day due to the “Foot and Mouth Disease”!! I was given a day off work. That day I decided I was going to head out and see the world. I moved to England to study first and that was my first step, ten years down the line, I’m pretty delighted I did it!

Get out and see the world, teachers!! Don’t Stop Living!

TT: Thanks so much, Jonny! Readers, what questions or comments do you have for this remarkable Teacher-Traveler? 

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! From RTW Travel (Even Antarctica!) to Teaching in Hong Kong originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.

Ian summiting a mountain in Arosa, Switzerland.

Teaching Traveling: Welcome to Ian, a teacher who has traveled to over 30 countries, and is now on a year-long leave of absence to see more of the world! Ian, tell us about your background. 

Ian: My name is Ian Yacobucci but my friends call me Yak. I currently work as a teacher and travel blogger for Borderless Travels.  As a teacher I started my career seven years ago when I traveled to Switzerland to teach English at a private summer camp.  Since then I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree as well as a Bachelor of Education. These have allowed me to teach abroad as well as in Canada.  Now I’m following my dream of traveling the world and sharing my stories. My passion for exploring has also influenced my job experiences such as being a professional tour guide, and production assistant.

TT: Tell us more about your travels.

I: Teaching has taken me to Switzerland, South Africa, Japan, and South Korea where I’ve taught at the elementary, secondary, and post–secondary levels.  Currently, I’ve taken a year leave of absence from my teaching job in order to pursue my dream of traveling around the world. These travels have taken me to over 30 countries where I not only explored new places but also trained in adventure sports such as scuba diving, surfing, and took a mountaineering course with the Indian Ministry of Defense. I’ve traveled across half the world from China to Finland via the Trans-Siberian, Mongolian, and Kazakh railways.

Ian posing in front of presidential palace in the futuristic city of Astana, Kazakhstan.

TT: Amazing! How do you find your travel opportunities? 

I: Working abroad as a teacher has connected me with people from all walks of life, and many of them have unique lifestyles and careers outside of teaching.  It’s through them I’ve been inspired to follow my own path.

It’s hard to leave a comfortable teaching career, but traveling has always been a major part of my life and I made a conscious decision to make it something more permanent. Inspired by other travel bloggers, I’ve decided to share my knowledge and experiences in the hopes of inspiring others to do the same.

TT: How did you find the money to fund this travel? 

I: For this particular experience I used savings from working as a teacher in Ontario and abroad for the last three years. I’ve also been able to work intermittently throughout my travels, starting with a winter camp in South Korea, following it up with a summer camp in Switzerland, and an English teaching position at a University in Tokyo come fall. I may eventually make some advertising money from my blog, but that’s not my primary source of income.

Ian standing on Lake Baikal, Russia.

TT: Tell us one moment from your travels that was particularly powerful.

I: There are so many experiences that I could share but one teaching-related experience that really resonated with me was during my placement in Cape Town, South Africa. I should preface this by saying that this experience was shared by other teachers who were working with me, however this was not the norm. It was while teaching in South Africa that I first witnessed corporal punishment in the classroom.  Although illegal, my associate teacher used violence and humiliation in order to discipline her students.

For me, watching an illiterate student being humiliated by having to write his answers on the board, as the teacher used defamatory language that was insulted at his intelligence, was difficult to witness. As he cried and tried to explain that he didn’t understand, the entire class watched.

It was here that I saw the negative effects of corporal punishment, and was concurrently encouraged by the progressive nature of the education system in Ontario (my home province). South Africa is currently working with Canadians to develop their education system and I hope that they will be able to achieve a positive student-centered educational environment.

TT: So powerful. How have your travels impacted you as a teacher, and in your current career?

I: What I learn through travelling is constantly reflected in my classroom. Not only do I understand the diversity of my classroom better – Canada being a multicultural country with people from around the world – I’m also able to share my experiences and connect with my students. Whether it’s telling stories in an English lesson or showing photos I’ve taken during a geography lesson, I’m able to make real life connections from outside the classroom that give students a more valuable and meaningful learning experience.

Ian trekking along Banaue rice terraces in Banaue, Philippines.

TT: How have your travels impacted you as a person?

I: Travelling is a major part of my life. It has been one of the most inspiring classrooms I’ve ever been in.  From the people I meet to the places I’ve seen, I’m learning something new every day.  My experiences abroad have taught me about people, cultures, and given me a vested interest in international issues.  Not only do I become more aware of the realities of other peoples’ lives, but I’m also able to relate to them and share their stories with the world through my website and in the classroom with my students.

TT: What advice do you have for other teachers who are dreaming of travel, or travelers curious to teach? 

I: Stop waiting around trying to convince yourself that you should do it – just go and do it. In reality, the hardest part about teaching abroad is saying yes and making the commitment to go and do something you’ve always wanted to do.

The best advice I can give to someone interested in teaching abroad is to be flexible and adaptable. Although there are more similarities than differences when teaching abroad, you still need to approach it with an open mind. Students’ expectations may be different, the work environment might be longer or organized differently, and your living conditions might not be as comfortable as what you’re used to.  But in the end this is what traveling and teaching abroad is all about and in the end you’ll grow as a person.

It is in this environment that you’ll learn about yourself, become part of a new culture, and learn about a new place.  Think of it as a learning experience and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. If you’re wondering how to start, just get online, do some research, and email your CV to a few schools. There are dozens of online resources for researching jobs and you can always refer to Borderless Travels or shoot me an email. In the end the best thing to do is to just get out there and do it!

TAG– you’re it!

TT: Thanks so much, Ian! Readers, what questions or comments do you have? 

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! Adventurous Travel to Over 30 Countries as a Teacher Blogger originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.

Libby on some of her world travels, with students in Lima, Peru.

Teaching Traveling: Over 3,300 people have already read the article about how teacher Libby Lupfer traveled the world through teacher grants and programs, and now Libby is back by popular demand!

This time, we used a different interview method.

Libby: For this interview about my teaching and overseas travel, I decided to have my students ask me the questions.  The following questions were written by my students in World History and European History classes in September of 2012.  I was impressed by their thoughtful questions.  I was also surprised by what they were interested in, things that I had not considered.  It was helpful for me to know from my students what they are interested in learning when their teachers travel internationally.  Hope the following student questions and my teacher responses are helpful to you as you consider and/or continue teaching and traveling.

GEEO teachers on horseback in Mongolia!

Students: How have your travels affected the way you teach History?

Libby: I think that overall, traveling helps me to both better understand history and to be more passionate about sharing it with my students.  For example, all I had ever known about Incan History was from textbooks but when I went to Peru with GEEO (Global Exploration for Educators Organization), I realized that some of the history that I was teaching was inaccurate.  The Inca were able to use mortar in their buildings but choose not to in their most important temples in order to honor their gods with the difficulty of building in this manner.  I also learned that the Inca were masters at agriculture.  They did numerous horticulture experiments and their terraced fields still work today, complete with irrigation systems.  Finally, I learned that the Spanish didn’t really conquer the Inca.  The people of Peru have lived on their own terms even as a colony of Spain.  The Incan culture was rich and they often incorporated European culture into their own, such as the Cusco school of painting.  When I went to Tunisia with GEEO and visited the ruins of Carthage, I realized that the history textbooks were wrong is saying that the Romans destroyed it so much that nothing existed there again.  Carthage was such a good location that the Romans built on top of it.  Of course, the list of how traveling has affected the way I teach history goes on and on.

Ruins of houses at Machu Picchu, Peru.

S: How has traveling changed your perspective on life and the world?

L: I think that the biggest thing that traveling has changed about my perspective on the world is that the world is not a scary, dangerous place.  People are people and that connection can be made anywhere.  I have learned to expand my view of the world and myself.  And I have gained much more from the people that I have met than I have given them.  A few years ago, I went on a volunteer trip to Haiti and I learned from Haitians the lesson of gratitude.    So often, where I live, people can focus on what they don’t have and how their lives don’t go the way that they want… and the Haitians that I met were more aware of the blessings that they did have, not what they didn’t.

Learning the value of gratitude during travel in Haiti.

S: How does your history teaching influence your choices of places to travel to?

L: Teaching History has influenced me to go to places that I teach about so I can better understand their history and thus help my students better understand it.  However, I have to confess that I also go to where I want to go.  I guess that I love learning just for my own life besides teaching.

S: Have you ever revisited the same country and if you did, was it the same experience?  

L: Yes, I have.  There are several countries that I have visited multiple times.  (Japan, France, UK, etc.)  No, the trips are always different.

Libby in Moscow, Russia.

S: What is the greatest difference you saw over a period of time with the same country?

L: This past summer I took a train trip from St. Petersburg, Russia to Beijing, China with GEEO.  I had been to both Russia and China before, in 1982 and 1999 respectively.   I was particularly excited to go back to Russia since it was a Communist nation under Brezhnev and had experienced the most change.  I was expecting a lot of change in Russia but I was also surprised at the amount of change that I saw in China over just ten years.  Both nations and peoples are better off than when I visited them last.  I was particularly struck by the amount of young Russians getting married.  A sign of hope and optimism for the future.  I also was amazed at how much building had happened in Beijing.  Both nations were much more positive about their lives than many of us in the States were last summer.

S: Have you ever been afraid to travel to a certain place?

L: Of course.  The first time that I went to South Africa since so many people said negative things that I became concerned.  However, I realized that they had not actually been there and were just repeating what they had heard on the news, so I chose to listen to what people who had actually been to African nations.  They all said that going to an African nation, I should prepare myself for a big welcoming spirit.  And they were absolutely right.  I have probably grown more as a person from my trips to Africa than any other continent.

Libby at a ger camp in Mongolia. Love that architecture!

S: What is the most exotic food you’ve tried during traveling?

L: For some reason, many of my students want to know about the exotic foods that I have eaten on my trips.  I never thought that they would find this so interesting but here goes:  deep fried scorpions in China (like overcooked French fries and wood), camel meat in Egypt (like beef), jellyfish in Japan (like chewing rubber bands), Durian fruit in Malaysia (smelly, smelly but not much taste).  And the BEST food that I have ever eaten?  Alfajor cookies with coffee in Argentina and Uruguay!

Yummy cookies and mate tea in Argentina.

S: Where do you want to travel next?  

L: Poland.

S: Where were the most entertaining people you met?

L: The Vietnamese, hands down.  Very, very funny and lots of fun.

S: What was the biggest culture shock you experienced?

L: It was my first time out of the U.S. in the UK.  My accent really stood out and I wasn’t used to be identified for my nationality so often.

S: How do you deal with culture shock?

L: I get to a country early before traveling and spend a day at the hotel, sleeping and watching local T.V. and then venture out to a local café to write in my journal.  Then I am ready to become a part of things and interact.

S: Have you experienced any dangers in developing countries?

L: I was a little scared when we were visiting a township in South Africa and people started yelling at us to get out.  But then other people came to our defense, spoke up and told those people to leave us alone.  Those kind people also started walking with us and around us so I felt really cared for.  I was also a little nervous at seeing all the guards with shotguns in front of businesses in different Central American nations.  But again, I felt that most of the locals looked out for us.

Making new friends in Beijing, China.

S: What is the longest plane ride you’ve ever been on?

L: 14 and ½ hours from New York to Johannesburg, South Africa.  Fortunately I slept for 8 hours of it.  This is the only flight that I have slept so much on.  I think that happened because the people on the flight settled down and all slept (no lights on, no talking, no one getting up, and everyone shared blankets and pillows).  It was like one big slumber party.

S: Did you have any problems with the languages and how did you handle it?

L: Not much.  I am lucky because of course I speak English and many people in the world use this as their international language.  I also speak French, which does help out.  The only place that I have had problems is Central and South America because they expect Americans to speak Spanish but I travel to those countries with American friends who do speak Spanish.  I do suggest learning to say “Hello”, “Please”, and “Thank you” in the local language.  It helps make connections.  Also remember that Toilet and Kaput are pretty international words.  Finally, if I plan on using English, I always ask if they speak English before talking away.  If they say no, I will find someone else who does.

With Korean students traveling in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia.

S: What is the best place you have traveled to?

L: I really love Japan, Peru, Vietnam, France, Ghana, and Mongolia.  I would love to go back to each.

S: What countries are on your “bucket list”?

L: Funny but I don’t have a bucket list.  I guess that I do what I want now and don’t put it off.  Maybe I should make one.  I guess that I want to go to India, Nepal, and the Galapagos Islands.

Cathedral of  Christ the Savior in Moscow (recently rebuilt after Stalin tore it down to build a swimming pool).

S: What do you actually do on your trips: activities, adventures?

L: I try to visit museums to learn history and appreciate art (which I love).  I also love to find great local cafes.  I also try to find great restaurants and try to local food.  I also try to get out into nature and hike.  I love, love the beach and swimming the oceans and seas.  It seems that I have also ridden a lot of animals (not always much choice but the thing to do).  I have ridden camels, an elephant, an ostrich, a donkey, and horses.   Of course, I try to visit the homes of local people for at least a meal.  Finally, I like to visit schools, especially history classes.

S: Have you made any friendships on your trips with people from those countries?

L: Yes, I have.  I make better friends when I stay in a place longer, of course.  That is why I recommend studying overseas during college like I did and/or volunteering overseas.  Then you have time in a place and time to make good, lasting friends.

Making friends during teacher travel in Uruguay. Uruguay won the soccer COPA American finals!

TT: Thanks so much, Libby and students! Readers, what questions or comments do you have?

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! A Teacher Answers Her Students’ Questions About Travel originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.

Robyn and some of her students Jakarta, Indonesia .

Teaching Traveling: Welcome to Robyn Donaldson who completed law school in the U.S. but now teaches English and yoga in Indonesia! Robyn, tell us about your background.  

Robyn: I grew up in the midwest in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. My parents and I traveled quite a bit around the U.S. and Caribbean. However, I did not start traveling overseas until after I graduated college and started law school. I had opportunities to study abroad in London and Cape Town, South Africa. When I officially caught the overseas travel bug, going abroad became my main focus, I was obsessed! LOL! I have traveled around France, the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, China and now SE Asia.

I thought about teaching English overseas after I graduated law school, but then I chickened out. I ended up working jobs in law and politics for several years after that, but the interest in this experience was still coming up for me. I became certified in teaching English as a Second Language. Then, one of my good friends from law school passed away in a tragic accident and that incident really reminded me of how precious life is and how nothing is guaranteed, so I let go of the idea of waiting for the “perfect time” to do it. I accepted a job and moved within 2.5 months after I completed my certification. I sold my stuff, gave away things and took the plunge. I didn’t look back.

Presently, I live in Jakarta, Indonesia where I teach English and yoga. I have spent some time traveling around Bali, which is SUCH a magical place on earth, especially Ubud. Then, since Indonesia is so centrally located in SE Asia, I’ve been able to visit Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Robyn in front of Mountain Kintamani in Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful!

TT: Amazing! Tell us more about your travels.

R: Bali, specifically, Ubud, has been one of my favorite excursions since living in Indonesia. Bali is predominantly Hindu so there is this cool fusion of cultures of Indian, Hindu, Balinese, Indonesian and Dutch influences, as well as this international flare since so many people from around the world visit and sometimes expatriate to the island. Also, Ubud is a place where I feel so connected to nature and spirituality, it is palpable. There are beautiful oceans, mountains, lakes and jungles around the island. Each morning and evening, I would hear a different chorus of music from monkeys, frogs, roosters, birds and owls in the distance, it was so peaceful, calming and healing to spend that time in Ubud. It is much different from the hectic nature of Jakarta, a city of nearly 9 million people! I teach and practice yoga, so I enjoyed Ubud’s vibrant yoga community. Balinese food is delicious (very spicy), the people are so kind, always willing to help you and are so patient with tourists. The Balinese are willing to let tourists peek into their devotional and spiritual practices as they make their daily offerings to their deities, pray and celebrate their religious festivals. It is a special, special place on Earth.

TT: How exactly did you find your present job?

R: I found my present job on Facebook! One night, I joined a bunch of Facebook ESL and overseas teaching groups. Within a week, there was a job post for Indonesia, the country I was interested in going to, and I applied for the position. I was very close to landing it, but I accepted another job through a contact from my ESL class. Unfortunately, I came to Indonesia and that opportunity did not work out. It just was not a good fit. So, I was at a crossroads, I could give up and go back to the U.S. or go to Plan B. I contacted the first job that I found on Facebook and they still had openings. It all worked out for the best. I landed that position and started teaching a few weeks later.

TT: Love it! How did you fund your travel?

R: I funded my travel through securing my job, some savings and selling my belongings before I moved.

TT: Tell us one moment from your travels that was particularly powerful.

R: One funny, interesting and sometimes slightly annoying moment is when people never guess that I am American, even after hearing my American accent. People will guess I am from Africa, South America, Mexico, England, France and even Indonesia, before they guess that I am from the U.S. I mean, I understand on one hand because I don’t think many African-American women are traveling to Indonesia, therefore, people may have never met someone that looks like me. But, even after I say I am from the U.S., it is like some people STILL want to believe I am from Africa, no matter what I say or how far back I trace my ancestry in America. But, I just use that as an opportunity to enlighten people and represent a positive view of African-American people, since most of the times around the world there is a very limited view of black Americans in movies, TV and other forms of media.

TT: Thank you for sharing this with us! So how have your travels impacted you as a person?

R: Travel has taught me important lessons about trusting my gut, understanding how powerful I am and be flexible. One of the reasons I love travel is because it is an excellent practice in trusting my intuition. Sometimes I’m in a situation where I am not speaking the language or I’m way far out of my comfort zone, so I must tap into that little voice inside me and make decisions based on my gut. It feels very empowering and inspiring when I follow my heart. Also, travel reminds me of how connected we all are throughout the world and that our actions, thoughts, dreams do affect other people in the world. Travel teaches me about awareness. It is so important that humanity works together to solve problems in the world and that women are involved in this process.

Robyn at a purification ceremony in Bali.

TT: Absolutely. What advice do you have for teachers who are dreaming of travel, or travelers dreaming of teaching?

R: My advice is take a risk and take the plunge! The first thing I did was make the decision that I was moving overseas. Then, I set a date as to when I definitely wanted to be out the country. Even if you do not move right away, start trimming down your life, meaning stop buying “stuff” that you do not need. I started thinking in terms that I’m moving, so I stopped taking on more responsibility and investing in my U.S. lifestyle. Otherwise, those things you do or add t your life will keep you tied down to your home country.

Also, I recommend to start saving some money, even if it is just a few hundred dollars. Even if you have a job when you leave your home country, it is nice to have a little bit of a nest egg for when you first arrive to the new country. I changed my lifestyle. I started thinking in terms that I would not be in the U.S. too much longer, so everything I bought or did was shaped by that belief that I would be moving very soon. I recommend taking an ESL certification course, whether in person or online. I believe it is important to invest in your skills, learn some tips about teaching overseas and network with other like-minded people who are interested in the same opportunities. The teachers and classmates I met were a great strength of support and offered valuable resources during my relocation. The internet has a wealth of resources available too, so research the countries, and schools and read blogs about teacher’s experiences in different countries. The more informed I was, the better I felt about making life changing decisions. It is important to feel good about your choices and feel confident about your move because everyone around you will not always understand your desire to uproot your life for the unknown. This is why I believe it is important to develop a supportive network of travel addicts, expats and adventurous souls, THEY will totally “get you” and your desire to see the world.

TT: Thanks so much, Robyn! Readers, what questions or comments do you have for this wonderful world traveler? And do check out her websites, mawuangels.com and youtube.com/mawuangels.

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! Teaching English and Yoga in Indonesia after Law School originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.

Cameron at a Vietnam Pottery Village.

Teaching Traveling: Welcome to the very accomplished Cameron Conaway, Social Justice Editor at The Good Men Project and award-winning author of “Caged: Memoirs of a Cage-Fighting Poet.”

Conaway was the 2011-2012 Poet-in-Residence at the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit in Thailand and the 2007-2009 Poet-in-Residence at the University of Arizona’s MFA Creative Writing Program. His work has appeared or been reviewed in ESPN, The Huffington Post, and Teach Magazine, among others. 

Cameron, tell us about your background!

Cameron: My name is Cameron Conaway and I’m a 27-year-old originally from Altoona, Pennsylvania. I’ve been a teacher for five years now. My first two years of teaching took place while I was a graduate student at the University of Arizona. I was able to teach creative writing in a juvenile detention center, on the Tohono O’odham Native American Reservation, in high schools throughout Tucson and in an undergraduate Honors class. For the past three years, however, I’ve been an online college instructor for several universities, including Ottawa University, where I created and currently teach the Shakespeare Seminar. The courses are considered asynchronous, which means that neither student nor professor needs to be online at the same time. This has enabled me the opportunity to begin traveling the world with my fiancée because I am limited not by physical location but by Wi-Fi connectivity.

Cameron at a Bangladesh education shelter.

TT: Fascinating! Tell us how you have integrated travel with teaching. 

C: My flexibility of work schedule has allowed me to pursue my passion for writing about human rights abuses. Take my recent trip to Bangladesh, for example. During the day I was able to visit the notorious shipbreaking yards and visit shelters for trafficked children because I knew my nights could be spent grading student essays at the 24-hour coffee shop with free Wi-Fi. The result was not only many essays and even a forthcoming book of poems, but also a profound life experience – something that will forever shape the way I view consumerism, global health policy and the inner workings of the human spirit. I simply could not have immersed myself in this experience if I was working the typical 9-to-5 job, teaching or otherwise.

Cameron at a Human Trafficking Conference in the Philippines.

TT: Wow! How do you find your travel opportunities and fund your travel? 

C: In early 2010, while my fiancée Maggie and I were living in Charlottesville, Virginia, she had an epiphany: her next step to continue developing as a teacher and person was to go live abroad. After much research we decided that Bangkok, Thailand, would serve as a great start to our travels and a great hub to see all of Asia. We hit the road on December 26th 2010, spent six weeks driving from Pennsylvania to California, and eventually sold our car in Los Angeles before flying from LAX to Thailand.

She’s been a kindergarten teacher here for nearly two years now and we’ve made some incredible connections, one of which was with the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit. Even megalopolis Bangkok, with a population of 10 million not including the 12 million tourists each year, surprised me by how small a city it could be. A friend I’d met here, Colin Cheney, invited me to read at Bangkok’s first literary festival. Somehow word spread of our poetry readings and I was asked to write poetry as part of a Wellcome Trust Community Engagement Conference for scientists in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I accepted the opportunity, and while there I was able to network with some of the top malariologists in the world, including Dr. Nick Day, who lives in Bangkok. Next thing you know I am applying to the Wellcome Trust for a grant to write Malaria: Poems. The grant was accepted and it was recommended that I travel to Bangladesh to do research. There were hurdles along the way – travel is rarely as easy as it may appear – but the entire process was eventually ironed smooth because my job as an online instructor meant that I could travel on very short notice.

Cameron and Maggie at Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

TT: Inspiring! How have your travels impacted you as a teacher and in your career?

C: As a teacher, my travels have helped me open the doors of the world to my students. On an international level, Americans are known to be a bit Americentric. Our country is so vast that we can spend a lifetime getting to know it and still miss much. However, the world is rapidly becoming more integrated on an economical, environmental and political level and for this reason I feel it’s absolutely essential for us Americans to step outside of our own country from time to time. I’m able to incorporate some of my travel experiences into class discussion and it often enlivens the conversation in fresh new ways. There are so many cultures and foods and religions and wonders in this world that transportation advances have made easier than ever to experience. I believe this kind of experiential learning is crucial for us to make sure peace remains at the forefront of globalization.

In regards to writing: Henry David Thoreau once wrote: “How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.” I believe traveling is one of the best ways a writer can stand up and live. Every day of travel provides material and stokes the creativity necessary to make use of it.

Cameron and Maggie at Patara Elephant Farm in Thailand.

TT: So true. How have your travels impacted you as a person?

C: I think I am ultimately a more patient and empathetic person than before I began traveling. I noticed the difference in patience when last I returned to the US. I couldn’t believe how evenly paved the sidewalks were or how easy it was to drive long distances or order at restaurants. This ties in with empathy as well. When you’ve spent time with truly destitute families, have witnessed the horrors of sex trafficking, or even just struggled with language barriers on a daily basis, you become far more equipped to handle personal stressors. You’re able to compare and realize, at the least, that you’re not alone, and at the most, that others have it far worse. This is a practical empathy that helps keep me grounded and it developed, in large part, through travel.

TT: What advice do you have for teachers who are dreaming of travel?

C: I can only offer the advice from my experience, but I’ll say this: traveling may very well become an addiction in your life. As you see and learn you’ll likely want to continue seeing and learning. One way to be a teacher and make travel part of your life and not just your summers off is to get a master’s degree in English, Criminal Justice or a healthcare-related field. A master’s degree is the basic requirement most universities want you to meet in order to teach online, and teachers needed in these career fields seem to be on the rise. Universities all across the nation – and world – are increasingly seeing the benefits of offering online classes to their students. Even Harvard is doing it. This virtual form of education is sure to grow and getting a master’s degree will go a long way towards helping you land a stable teaching job with flexibility enough for world travel.

TT: Thanks so much, Cameron! Readers, what questions or comments do you have? 

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! An Online Teacher’s Travel to Fight Human Rights Abuses originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.

Motorcycling through Vietnam, Social Media kept me connected, protected, and sane!

Social Media and technology offer educators a way to travel and connect with people and ideas around the world without leaving home. I have been doing an increasing amount of presenting and writing on the benefits of these tools, and here is my compilation of articles and resources.

Articles on Social Media and Education by @WorldLillie:

• Fear is Keeping Teachers from Harnessing the Good of Social Media (EdWeek)

• How Technology Saves a Teacher’s Day (Gates Foundation Blog)

• 14 Student Articles About Our Tour of China

• 14 True Life Stories from Teen and Adult ESL Students

• Why We Must Explicitly Teach Students Networking (On and Offline)

• 4 Awesome Uses for Twitter

Thanks for reading, and I hope these articles are helpful. Do leave comments and questions below, as I could talk about Social Media, Technology, and Education until the cows come home!

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! Articles on How Social Media and Technology HELP Education originally appeared in Teaching Traveling! If you see it on any website besides www.TeachingTraveling.com or any RSS feed besides the one from www.TeachingTraveling.com it has been stolen without permission.