Is it safe for single women to teach English abroad?
Teaching English abroad is a secure and common choice for single women, with many finding it a rewarding and enriching experience. Approximately 150,000 women are teaching English as ESL teachers globally at any time, often in urban areas with amenities comparable to those in their home countries. While no place can be guaranteed as entirely safe, the majority of these teachers live in cities known for their infrastructure and global expatriate communities, offering support and local insights. By taking standard safety precautions, single women can pursue teaching opportunities abroad with confidence, joining the significant number of female teachers in the field.
Table of Contents
Where should I teach English abroad as a single woman?
Where can I get advice on the local area?
What else can I do to stay safe?
Where should I teach English abroad as a single woman?
As a single woman looking to teach English abroad, careful research into potential destinations is crucial. Consider countries with a track record of gender equality, where personal freedoms align with your lifestyle. Respect for women's rights and cultural norms should influence your choice, as these factors can affect daily life and interactions. To gauge a country's suitability, ask if you would be comfortable vacationing there; a 'yes' suggests a conducive environment for living and working. Predominantly, regions with high demand for ESL teachers tend to be stable, economically sound countries. Once you choose a country, delve into specific cities or areas to identify the safest and most welcoming communities to reside in as you embark on your teaching journey.
Where can I get advice on the local area?
Wherever you choose as your teaching destination, you are almost certain to find other teachers have already made the move to live and work there. By utilizing the local knowledge of these teachers you should be able to quickly get your bearings and start to settle in. Work colleagues will be a mine of information on issues such as using public transport and any local areas that you might want to avoid. As well as your new work colleagues, it is also wise to get to know people in the local community. Generally speaking, foreign teachers are warmly welcomed by local people and by getting involved in the community you are likely to feel safer living within it.
What else can I do to stay safe?
One of the most important aspects of staying safe when teaching English abroad is simply to use a bit of common sense. If you stick to a few simple rules you can usually avoid getting into unwelcome situations. Any areas that are known to be unsafe should be avoided, particularly at night. On nights out, never accept drinks from strangers and avoid getting overly merry in public. Obvious signs of wealth, such as expensive jewelry, electronic gadgets, or large amounts of cash should either be left at home or well hidden. Finally, in the unlikely case that you find yourself in an unpleasant situation, it is important that you know how to contact the police and other emergency services.
