Arguably, one of the best parts of travelling the world is meeting tons of different people and experiencing amazing cultures. When you’re teaching English abroad, there’s a good chance that you might stay in one place for at least a few months at a time. So, if you’re looking to meet people from all walks of life while immersing yourself in diverse cultures, take your pick from one of these incredibly diverse countries!
1. South Africa
The so-called ‘Rainbow Nation’, South Africa has tons to offer the adventurous TEFLer. Think stunning landscapes ranging from volcanoes to grasslands, a colourful variety of local wildlife, idyllic beaches by bustling cities and not to mention, one of the most diverse cultures in the world. Teaching in South Africa, you’ll find a busy TEFL jobs market with plenty of positions available in the bigger cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria, a low cost of living and tons of adrenaline-fuelled activities to take part in on your days off.
2. India
Another colourful country, India offers countless opportunities for English teachers and a culture made up of a combination of influences from thousands of different cultures and a long and fascinating history. Living here, teachers will get a unique opportunity to experience this bustling, vibrant country as a local. And make the most of the many ancient traditions, sizzling street food and tropical scenery. TEFL-wise, the jobs market is competitive and most of them can be found in New Delhi, Jaipur, Bangalore, and the capital, Mumbai.
3. Colombia
A blend of indigenous Colombian and early Spanish culture, the culture of Colombia also encompasses influences from the Middle East, Africa and Europe, making for an intriguing and exciting travel experience. If this is your TEFL destination of choice, you’ll be greeted with a mixture of picturesque old towns and buzzing cities, substantial and delicious cuisine and widely varied landscapes, ranging from Amazonian rainforests to tropical grasslands and stunning beaches. Again, most TEFL jobs are in larger cities, including Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin.
4. Indonesia
With a national motto translating as “Unity in Diversity”, you can imagine the multiple religions, cultures, traditions and arts that make up today’s Indonesia. TEFLing here, you’ll not only get to experience the diverse culture but also the diverse landscapes which change dramatically from island to island. If you want to TEFL here, jobs are most plentiful in the capital city, Jakarta, and you’ll earn a good wage allowing you to live very comfortably due to the low cost of living – hurray!
5. The UAE
Based on Arabian culture and with influences from India, Persia and Africa, Emirati culture is both rich and diverse in terms of the arts, religion, cuisine and much more. A popular choice for many TEFLers, the UAE offers some of the highest salaries around, excellent job benefits like accommodation and flight allowances and an amazing destination to explore. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are by far the pick of the bunch in terms of popularity amongst English teachers and both have tons to offer – think gigantic shopping malls, epic theme parks, majestic mosques and endless beaches… Dreamy!
