15th October 2021

Tips For New Teachers When Acclimatising To A New Country

So you’ve landed a job abroad – whether it’s teaching or another occupation that lends you the opportunity to travel and work, the idea of moving to a new country can be daunting. We’ve pulled together all of the top tips from our relocation experts to help you get ready to acclimatise to a brand new country, settle in and start this exciting new phase of your life.

Build Connections

The internet has made it really easy to connect with people who are on similar journeys. Lots of teachers who travel share their experiences on social media or blogs. There are Facebook groups dedicated to ex-pats from every nation which will connect you to others with similar goals. You can also join community groups for the area you are planning to move to – they can be as small as the road you’ll live on or encompass towns and cities. Once you are in the UK, reach out to colleagues or housemates – having positive social connections makes acclimatising to another country significantly easier, with the added bonus of being able to tap into local knowledge!

Get To Know The Area

Joining community groups is one thing, but getting a real feel for the place you’ll be living in is much easier when you are there! Find your feet by exploring your local area, check out noticeboards in cafes for social clubs or events that you like the look of.  Engage relocation expert Rachel had this to say:

“For me, it would be taking some dedicated time to practice travel route and really getting to know the local area”

Find information on many of the areas that we recruit in here!

Immerse Yourself

It’s well known that it’s easier to learn another language when you are fully immersed in it – the same is definitely true of learning the culture of a country and how the education system works. You’ll meet people with different  Relocation expert Kate Mills, who works with teachers who are moving to the UK, had this suggestion:

“Teaching in a new country is going to be a different experience, so be a sponge and learn as much as you can. You’ll carry the techniques and strategies that you learned and loved to do in your class in England with you for the rest of your life.”

Be Kind To Yourself

Don’t expect to feel at home straight away – it’s a big move and for many it can take a few months before you really start to acclimatise to your new home. Make sure you keep in regular contact with your friends and family from home, and if you find yourself struggling, seek help straight away. Try these if you need support:

• Education Support – our wellbeing partners run a 24/7 helpline for teachers who need to talk.
• Your Engage Consultant – we are always here to support teachers who move to the UK
• A friend or colleague – talking about mental health isn’t taboo, most people will be glad you reached out

Once you arrive in the UK, you’ll find it’s a friendly, diverse country with lots to offer, from multi-cultural cities to beautiful countryside, and Engage will be here to support you every step of the way!

READ MORE: Find out more about what working in England is like compared to the USA