Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Teach Abroad While Earning Your Degree

Teaching abroad can be a good way to earn a decent salary while exploring the world and completing an online degree. The process is much like completing an online degree stateside with a few added complications. Although you can teach abroad while attending a college located in the country where you teach, it's not recommended. Learning your material and negotiating academic red tape in a foreign language makes this very difficult. Only do this if you're getting your degree in studies about that particular country.


Instructions








1. Enroll in a distance learning program through an accredited online program. Note that not all programs offer a full degree via distance learning.


2. Complete any location-specific or classroom based courses before going abroad.


3. Choose the country where you wish to live and teach. In general, Asian countries pay highest and have opportunities in government-run programs. European countries pay reasonably well and have opportunities in private companies. Eastern Europe positions are most often private tutoring arrangements and pay can vary widely.


4. Identify and apply for any visas or other documents you'll need to work abroad. If you're going with a government or corporate program, your employer will often help facilitate this.


5. Apply for the teaching job. Most of the larger companies have recruiting tours of the United States every year. You can apply during one of these and often have a job offer before you return from the recruiting meeting.








6. Confirm your visa is in order before buying your plane ticket. The specifics vary from country to country, but the first step is usually contacting the embassy or consulate nearest your stateside address.


7. Contact the registrar for your program and ask if there are any extra steps you need to take if you're taking your classes abroad. Make note of any addresses or instructions you'll need later on.


8. Consider taking your first term off from your studies abroad. Moving in will be stressful and time consuming. It's best to land and get situated before adding the extra load of classes.


9. Get Internet access, whether you have service in your home or access through a library or Internet cafe. Your distance coursework will require you to have regular Internet access.


10. Register for your first term of classes taken while abroad. Because mail and phone communication might be more challenging than while at home, register as early as possible so you can resolve any problems. Some schools might open early registration to you if you explain your situation.

Tags: completing online, completing online degree, country where, distance learning, first term