Will I lose touch with family and friends while teaching English abroad?
Moving abroad to teach English naturally raises concerns about maintaining close relationships with friends and family. While distance does pose a challenge, staying connected is more manageable than ever thanks to modern communication technology. Regular video calls, instant messaging, and social media make it easy to share experiences and keep up with loved ones back home. Additionally, setting up a blog or group chat for updates can help bridge the distance. With effort and the many tools available, you can preserve and even strengthen your bonds while embracing the adventure of teaching abroad.
Table of Contents
Who should be responsible for maintaining contact while teaching overseas?
How important is social media while teaching English abroad?
Should I start a blog while teaching English abroad?
What else can I do to maintain contact with home while teaching English abroad?
Who should be responsible for maintaining contact while teaching overseas?
The responsibility to maintain contact while teaching overseas largely rests on the individual who has moved abroad. Given your familiarity with your new routine, local time zone, and the general excitement that comes with settling in a new country, it is more practical for you to initiate calls or video chats. Friends and family back home may hesitate to reach out due to uncertainty about your schedule or a desire not to intrude. Proactively scheduling regular check-ins can help, and sending brief text updates can keep the communication flowing until a mutually convenient time for a longer conversation is found. Consistent effort to stay in touch assures loved ones that, despite the distance, they remain a priority.
How important is social media while teaching English abroad?
Social media plays a pivotal role in staying connected while teaching English abroad. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow for effortless sharing of experiences through photos and updates, making friends and family back home feel included in your journey. This visual and interactive form of communication helps bridge the distance, providing a vivid sense of your new surroundings and life. Yet, it is important to balance this with direct communication. Regular voice or video calls add a personal touch that is highly valued by loved ones, ensuring that deeper connections are nurtured despite geographical separation.
Should I start a blog while teaching English abroad?
Starting a blog while teaching English abroad can be highly advantageous. It serves as an efficient platform to update friends and family collectively, eliminating the need for repetitive individual updates. Blogging allows you to chronicle your experiences in rich detail, providing a narrative of your daily life and adventures that can be revisited for years to come. Furthermore, a well-maintained blog can become a valuable portfolio showcasing your journey, teaching experiences, and cultural insights, which may enhance your professional profile when seeking future employment opportunities. While it requires commitment, the benefits of blogging make it a worthwhile endeavor for many teachers.
What else can I do to maintain contact with home while teaching English abroad?
Staying connected with home while teaching English abroad can be enriched by sharing the nuances of your daily life. A blog or regular group emails can vividly detail your routine, your students, local cuisine, and how you unwind, making your family and friends feel part of your world. Understanding your day-to-day experiences helps maintain a strong emotional connection. Since the novelty of your life abroad may become routine to you, it is important to remember that those back home will continue to find your experiences exotic and intriguing. Occasionally sending home a care package filled with local trinkets, newspapers, menus, or unique snacks can also be a great way for your loved ones to tangibly experience aspects of your adventure. These small but thoughtful gestures can keep the sense of excitement and connection alive across the miles.
