The Educator’s Guide to Global Travel

John SchembariBlog, Innovation, Leadership, Professional Development

Passport in One Hand, Lesson Plan in the Other: The Educator’s Guide to Global Travel

From Diplomatic Dreams to Global Classrooms

I still remember the thrill of holding my first State Department briefing memo – pages of insight crafted for a new ambassador. I wasn’t a diplomat, but for a moment, I felt like one. My dream had always been to work in the State Department as a foreign policy specialist, and my internship preparing briefings for new ambassadors felt like a step toward that future.

Though the policy path didn’t materialize, interning there gave me my first experience working alongside brilliant minds curating global knowledge. That exposure deepened my interest in international affairs.

Around the same time, my grad school friend Karol often shared stories about teaching English in Japan. Her experiences inspired me to teach on the JET Program, combining my love for learning and global engagement. I later became a certified K–12 educator.

While my journey in education hasn’t always been smooth, it has offered unforgettable highs – like traveling the world not as a tourist, but as an educator.

With purpose and planning, you can take your teaching global too.

Why Take Your Teaching Abroad?

These formative experiences reshaped my professional identity. They also highlight how education and international engagement can go together. Seeing the world as an educator allows one a chance to share their knowledge of teaching and learning. Educators also gain a global viewpoint and an understanding of specific cultural nuances that they can take back into their teaching practice.

Think of this as professional development through a global lens.

Travel as an educator can reignite that flame for knowledge that drove many of us initially to pursue careers in teaching.  What we learn abroad often translates into more engaged classrooms. This is thanks to the real-world connections we can share with students. Our global experiences ultimately turn us into exemplars of lifelong learning and teacher empowerment.

Your First Step: Teaching Exchange Programs

The JET Program: A Gateway to Global Education

The JET Program was an incredible launchpad for my passion for global exploration. I was provided with a middle school assignment at Isawa Junior High School in Yamanashi, Japan, and set up with a conveniently located and functional apartment. This well-established program let me focus on teaching and adapting, not logistics. Being able to focus on relationships is one of the reasons why, I believe, I remain close with many of the friends I made – both Japanese and Western.

If you’re interested, start by applying through your local Japanese consulate. You’ll likely be interviewed by officials from Japan’s Department of Education. Sometimes, former JETs like me also participate. While the JET Program is a popular entry point, it’s just one of many teaching exchange programs available worldwide.

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More Programs to Explore Around the World

Many educators have launched global teaching careers through programs administered by other countries. Educators can explore several other government-sponsored initiatives tailored to different regions and teaching goals.

Here is a sample list of other teaching exchange programs managed by other governments:

  • EPIK – English Program in Korea
  • TAPIF – Teaching Assistant Program in France
  • NALCAP – North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (Spain)
  • Fulbright Teacher Exchanges – S. State Department program for short-term and long-term teaching abroad

Going Long-Term: International and American Schools Abroad

Beyond exchange programs, educators may also find long-term teaching and leadership roles in international schools. For educators ready to move beyond English teaching or short-term exchanges, international schools offer another powerful way to take your expertise abroad. Within such schools, there are often full-time, leadership, or subject-specific roles.

For example, I had the opportunity to serve as Chief Academic Officer at an American school in Saudi Arabia. This was a role I found on TIE Online. Working here was like working in any K-12 school district at home. In fact, we used the California state standards to guide our curriculum and were accredited by American authorizers. There are also other Western curriculum schools abroad.

Finding the right fit can feel overwhelming. However, specialized recruiting agencies can help you navigate the international school landscape. Potential candidates will want to connect with international school recruiting agencies in their home countries.

In the United States, some agencies include:

  • International School Services (ISS) – Offers job fairs and global placements
  • Search Associates – Matches teachers with international schools worldwide
  • Educational Partners International (EPI) – U.S.-based teacher exchange organization
  • Teach Away – Global teacher recruitment and TEFL certification platform

Before accepting a role, research the school’s quality. Reviews can offer crucial insight. Sites like International Schools Review (ISR) offer insight into school culture and leadership. However, if full-time relocation isn’t the right fit, don’t worry. Short-term study tours can offer just as much inspiration.

Not Ready to Move? Try Short-Term Study Tours

Not all educators are looking to relocate permanently. Many may prefer global exposure without the long-term commitment. That’s where short-term study tours come in.

I’ve been fortunate to participate on several of these study tours. When I was a high school social studies teacher, for example, an individual who survived the Holocaust and a local agency – MetroWest – funded my participation on the New Jersey Holocaust Educators’ Tour of Europe. Having participated, I was able to teach about the Holocaust more descriptively and I came home with rich teaching resources on the subject.

When a principal, I also wrote a winning proposal to self-study the post-Apartheid education system in South Africa. This trip was funded by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and FEA. While on this trip, I created a daily blog which allowed my students and staff to connect to the experience.

Educators curious about short-term study tours should research current options and explore specialized funding organizations.

Examples of specialized funding organizations include:

Share Your Expertise: Consulting Abroad

Independent Consulting: Flexible Global Impact

Study tours are a great way to engage with the world without committing to a teaching job. Consulting offers another route for those who do not want to commit to one employer or country. Experienced educators can work internationally by offering their expertise to schools, ministries, and NGOs.

As I progressed in my career, I also found new ways to contribute globally—through consulting and specialist work. By chance, I came across a LinkedIn post seeking international education consultants for a national curriculum revision project. The project was being managed by the Ministry of Education of East Timor . It was exciting to apply my curriculum expertise while learning about the challenges of post-conflict development.

What made it truly rewarding was collaborating with local Ministry staff, global NGOs, fellow consultants, and aid groups linked to the U.N. and Australian government. I did this work independently but others on the project were affiliated with international education consulting firms such as Cognition Education.

If you are a mid and/or senior career educator, you can share your expertise in this way. In seeking out these opportunities, just be mindful to be clear on expectations as with any consulting contract. Also, expect some communication challenges as technology can be hit or miss. If work is to be done both remotely and on-site, time differences can be difficult to work around. Despite the challenges, these roles can lead to some of the most rewarding experiences of your career.

Government Programs for Experienced Educators

While some educators pursue independent consulting projects, others find rewarding global work through structured, government-supported programs like Fulbright or Peace Corps Response Specialists. These programs offer meaningful ways to apply your expertise abroad while contributing to cross-cultural understanding and educational development on a global scale.

Fulbright took me to Central Asia. There, I had the opportunity to assist the University of Law and Business in Khujand, Tajikistan.

In this role, I was able to:

  • Support the development of engaging teaching practices among its staff
  • Organize inter-visitations to local universities to study engagement practices regionally
  • Facilitate inter-university administrator training
  • Guide the university curriculum director in systematizing best instructional practices.

The Fulbright Specialist Program is short term, four to six weeks, perfect for senior educators with personal and professional commitments back home. Peace Corps specialist assignments run longer.

Teachers who have experience instructing multilingual learners might also check out the English Language Fellow Program at the U.S. Department of State. Program availability may shift with federal budget priorities. Check official sources for updates.

Whether through independent or government-sponsored initiatives, these roles highlight the growing demand for globally minded educators.

Preparing to Take the Leap

Global engagement has deeply enriched my career. It can do the same for others willing to take the leap. But before you pack your bags or submit that application, it’s important to reflect on whether this path aligns with your personal, professional, and lifestyle goals. Self-assess your level of readiness based on personal/family circumstances, flexibility, and career goals.

Also, preparation matters. Develop an online presence that showcases how your work can support international education. It also is important to highlight how you will enrich the learning of students and colleagues back home. Then, start exploring resources like those mentioned in this article. Follow expatriate listservs.

Also, research any cultural issues that are important to know about, create a timeline as to when you want to be abroad, and plan out how you will take care of any in-country paperwork, finances, and obligations while away. Once your plan is in place, the final step is simple—but profound: leap. Remember, you’re not just stepping into a new country—you’re stepping into a new version of your professional self.

Beyond the Classroom Walls

Once the logistics are in place, the rest is up to you. The global classroom is waiting and your most impactful teaching chapter may still lie ahead. Stepping into global education doesn’t require a diplomatic title. You just need courage to say yes to a different kind of classroom.

Your skills have a place on the global stage. If your heart beats a little faster when you hear about opportunities overseas, pay attention. That’s a calling. With a passport in one hand and a lesson plan in the other, you might just find the most meaningful chapter of your career is waiting out there beyond the classroom walls.

Key Takeaways:

  • Global education enriches both your professional skills and personal growth.
    • Explore structured programs such as JET, Fulbright, and other government-sponsored opportunities.
    • Conduct thorough research on programs, schools, and cultural environments before committing.
    • Prepare for logistical challenges like visas, work permits, and time zone differences.
    • Build a strong online professional presence to showcase your value as a global educator.
    • Assess your readiness based on personal, family, and career considerations.
    • Whether through teaching, consulting, or study tours, international engagement can be a deeply rewarding career chapter.

About John Schembari

John Schembari supports teacher/leadership development as an education consultant working with various organizations such as TNTP, the Center for Educational Innovation, Fordham University, Brooklyn College and the NJ Principals and Supervisors Association. Prior to this, John was a school principal, district CAO, and national director of leadership training with a charter school network.

John can be reached at Subs for general inquiries and/or teacher coaching support at subs.com/JohnSchembari.