Congrats, mi amigo! You’re made the decision, found an ESL teaching job, and you’re now on your way to a brand new adventure teaching English abroad. Now, here comes to the hard part: How do you decide what to pack to teach abroad? If you’re like most newbie ESL teachers, then you’ve probably Googled “packing list for teaching abroad” “teach abroad packing list” or “What to pack for your teaching job abroad” and and felt swamped by the number of hits online.
Do as we say, not as this man do.
It can be a difficult decision, choosing what to bring overseas with you and what to leave at home. Should you bring Mr. Ruffles who's been sleeping on your bed since you were a kid? What about your entire makeup collection and home pharmacy supplies? Decisions, decisions, decisions!
Truth bomb: You can’t bring everything with you to your adopted home country. Instead, you have to be ruthless in deciding what to take and want to leave behind. In any case, no one wants to travel with overweight luggage these days, especially with airlines charging hefty baggage fees.* Not to mention that it’s a literal pain in the @ss to travel abroad with too much luggage, especially if you have to use a public bus or train to get to your new school/ apartment.
It can be stressful, packing up your life and moving abroad, and we at GoAbroad want to make your transition as smooth as possible! That's why we put together this teach abroad packing list. Enjoy!
*Important tip: Before you start packing, check your airline’s rules about the size and weight of the carry on and checked luggage you’re allowed. Also, weigh those bags before you get to the airport to avoid any hassle, embarrassment, and pissing off your fellow travelers.
Packing for teaching English abroad 101
Still confused about what to pack to teach abroad? Don’t worry, we’ve done the research for you and have narrowed it down to this very helpful teaching English abroad packing list.
Clothes
This is a big one because it has the potential to take up a lot of essential packing space. What to pack to teach abroad will depend on the teaching gig you sign up for. For instance, if you’re still deciding on what to pack for teaching in China’s public schools or private language academies, prepare to dress the part.
The majority of employers in this part of the world demands that their teachers look respectable in the classroom so please check before you go! This could mean bringing at least one week’s worth of professional clothing: two to three quality suits in sober colors like black gray, and navy blue, work-appropriate shirts and blouses (nothing too funky, colorful, see-through, low cut, or casual), and comfy yet professional shoes (no dirty kicks, please!).
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P.S. if you have particularly large feet, big boobs, or a sizeable bootayyy and want to teach abroad in Asia, bring your shoes and underwear/bras with you! It may be very difficult to find your size while you’re over there. Also, don’t forget to pack a couple of casual outfits for the weekend and downtime.
Depending on the resources at your school, the materials you bring with you can make or break your classroom.
On the other hand, if you’ve chosen to volunteer teach for a couple of weeks, then you don’t have to worry about investing in an expensive professional wardrobe. In most cases, you’ll be able to get away with a week’s worth of comfortable clothing like tee shirts and jeans but be sure to check with your program provider before you go.
Your work wardrobe will depend on where you’ll be teaching. For instance, dress codes tend to be more lax if you’re going to volunteer teach in developing countries or teach in rural and remote parts of a country. On the other hand, if you’re planning on teaching in a metropolitan city, particularly in a developed country, you will definitely need to invest in smart clothes.
Culture will play a role when you’re deciding on your teach abroad packing list. For example, you’ll need an uber-conservative wardrobe, especially if you’re female, if you plan to teach in the UAE, Malaysia, or any other Islamic country. On the other hand, you may be able to get away with a more casual wardrobe in Latin America where dress codes aren’t so strict. You will also have to cover up visible tattoos and piercings before you can teach in certain countries like Japan.
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Climate is also an important factor when deciding what to pack for living abroad. Pack for the season/time of year you’ll be arriving and stock up on other gear during the rest of your time there. For instance, if you know you’ll be teaching in a hot, tropical destination like Thailand, bring professional but breathable clothing made of cotton and/or linen. On the flip side, if you will be teaching in a cold and rainy country like Ireland, don’t forget to pack your winter and rain gear or you’ll be miserable during your time there.
Don’t be a hoarder when packing to teach abroad.
Paperwork
When it comes to your teach abroad packing list, you also have to pack all essential paperwork. Trust us, you don’t want to travel halfway across the world and realize that you’ve forgotten your academic certificates, international driver’s license, or immunization card. It’s important to have digital and hard copies of all your important documents in case they go missing.
It also goes without saying that you shouldn’t forget your passport. Make sure it’s valid for at least six months before you travel. Also, don’t forget your travel ticket/s and itinerary. You may want to walk with a couple extra passport pictures. You never know if and when they’ll come in handy. You should also have an international debit card that can be used in ATMs in your destination country or cold, hard cash, preferably in the local currency, to start your life abroad without any major hiccups.
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Toiletries
Another important thing on any teaching English abroad packing list is your personal care products stash. If you’re a minimalist traveler, then you may be able to get by with a couple days’ supply of toothpaste, soap, shampoo/conditioner, body lotion/moisturizer, deodorant, a toothbrush, and a basic first aid kit and then stock up in your adopted country.
On the other hand, if you’re fussy, have really sensitive skin, and/or other issues, it’s very important to pack enough supplies. This is because you may not be able to find your favorite brand in the country you plan to teach in or get an equivalent/substitute product because of language barriers etc. This is especially important if you’re a woman of color. For instance, it can be very difficult to find your perfect skin foundation shade if you intend to teach abroad in certain parts of Asia and Europe.
[First-time ESL teacher? You NEED to download this ebook]
Bring enough contact lenses if you need them. If you have to use certain prescription drugs, be sure to check with the immigration/customs department of your chosen destination before traveling. Sometimes, you may have to submit documentation in advance before you’re allowed to bring certain meds into a country. Also, don’t assume that because something’s OTC in your country that it’ll be regarded in the same way in your chosen destination. It really does pay to do your research or you could have a horrible time in arrivals.
Leave your heavy shampoo bottles at home (unless you need a very specific brand).
Electronics
If you’re planning to teach for at least a year in another country, a laptop, tablet, or smartphone is essential. It’ll be a lifesaver when it comes to planning lessons and connecting with folks back home. You can also load your favorite books, movies, and TV shows on these handy devices. If you plan on bringing a smartphone, make sure it’s unlocked so you’ll be able to use a local SIM card in your destination country. Ain’t nobody got time for expensive roaming fees!
Don’t forget those device chargers. You may also find a portable battery pack useful for juicing up your gadgets in locations with a dodgy/nonexistent electricity supply. Another important tip: get a universal travel adapter or else you won’t be able to use all the fancy gear you bring with you. If you have room, pack a good and relatively lightweight camera. You’ll want to document your time over there so you can share pics and videos with family and friends online or when you get back.
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Teaching resources
Many ESL teachers don’t pay any attention to this, but certain teaching resources have to potential to make or break your packing list for teaching abroad. If you’re going to teach little kiddies, pack a cuddly toy that will help you break the ice and serve as your classroom mascot. You can also bring cute stickers and small things your young students won’t have access to in their home country.
On the other hand, if you plan on teaching adults, skip the cutesy stuff and stock up on your home country’s tourism brochures, used train/movie tickets, menus, maps, anything that could help you teach them real and practical English. Whatever you bring, make sure it’s stuff you can’t print, find online, or buy in your destination country.
Extra stuff
It’s also nice to bring little things that remind you of home. These will help you loads when the homesickness starts to kick in. Make sure they are light and can pack nicely, like your favorite coffee/tea, your desert island snacks, even your mother’s signature spices. Also, digital photos weigh practically nothing but can help you feel close to loved ones even though they’re miles away. Print copies when you get settled and post them in your apartment or on your desk at school.
[Download this checklist to ensure you are prepared to teach abroad]
Now you know what to pack to teach abroad and you’re ready to work anywhere!
It’s a lot like packing a brown bag lunch…?
So there you have it: what to pack for your teaching job abroad 101. You cannot take your entire life with you to your new home country so only pack the essentials. If push comes to shove, just pack what you’ll need on an average day teaching abroad in your chosen country. Never, ever pack “just in case” stuff like too many books you’ll never read, too many shoes you’ll never wear, or clothes that make absolutely no sense in your chosen country’s climate and culture. Finally, remember the number one travel rule: lay out all your clothes and money and take half your wardrobe and twice as much cash. Enjoy the packing process!
KEEP READING: 11 Tips for Ensuring Your Health & Safety While Teaching Abroad
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