Choosing where to live and work abroad can feel overwhelming. There are so many countries, cultures, cities, and opportunities to choose from that it is easy to fall into the “best countries to teach abroad” rabbit hole.
But what if the best destination for you is not necessarily the country with the highest salary, the most famous landmarks, or the biggest expat community?
What if it is simply the country that matches you?
Your personality, interests, hobbies, and lifestyle can have a huge impact on how much you enjoy living abroad. After all, you are not just choosing somewhere to visit. You are choosing somewhere to wake up, go to work, grocery shop, make friends, explore, and build a temporary home.
So, which destination matches your personality?
The Social Butterfly: South Korea
Are you the person who can walk into a room full of strangers and somehow leave with five new friends?
Do you love busy cities, trendy cafes, late nights, concerts, shopping, and always having something to do?
South Korea might be calling your name.
Seoul, Busan, and other major cities offer an exciting combination of modern city life and traditional culture. Between cafes, restaurants, markets, entertainment, festivals, and nightlife, there is rarely a shortage of things to explore.
South Korea can also be an exciting destination for anyone interested in K pop, Korean dramas, fashion, food, and entertainment. Between cafes, restaurants, markets, entertainment, festivals, and nightlife, there is rarely a shortage of things to explore. If you’re curious about what everyday life and travel in Korea looks like, Lonely Planet’s South Korea guide is a great place to start
For an English teacher, one of the biggest advantages is that you can build a social life around your work. You may meet other international teachers, make local friends, join clubs, explore the country on weekends, and discover an entirely new culture outside of your classroom.
If you thrive when you are surrounded by people and constantly have something to look forward to, South Korea could be your perfect match.
The History Lover: Prague
Do you find yourself stopping to read every historical plaque you come across?
Maybe you would rather spend an afternoon wandering through an old neighbourhood than visiting the newest attraction in town. Perhaps you love museums, architecture, castles, old bookstores, and finding a cafe with a story behind it.
If that sounds like you, Prague could be the place for you.
The Czech capital feels like a living history book. Its historic streets, colourful buildings, churches, bridges, and medieval architecture make simply walking around the city an experience.
But Prague is more than beautiful buildings. Living there gives you the opportunity to experience European culture on a day to day basis rather than simply seeing it through a tourist’s eyes.
And because of its location in Central Europe, Prague can also be a great base for exploring neighbouring countries during your time off.
Teaching English abroad can give history lovers the perfect combination of meaningful work and endless opportunities to explore. One week you could be teaching a class, and the next you could be exploring a historic European city you’ve never visited before.
The Nature Person: Costa Rica
For some people, the ideal day involves a crowded city, a shopping district, and a packed restaurant.
For others, it involves hiking boots, fresh air, sunshine, and absolutely no skyscrapers.
If you feel most at home outdoors, Costa Rica could be the perfect destination.
Costa Rica is famous for its incredible biodiversity, beaches, rainforests, mountains, waterfalls, and volcanoes. Whether you enjoy hiking, surfing, wildlife watching, swimming, or simply sitting somewhere surrounded by greenery, there is plenty to keep you busy.
The country’s famous “pura vida” lifestyle is also associated with a more relaxed approach to life, making it an appealing choice for someone who wants to slow down and spend more time outdoors.
Imagine finishing your workday and having the option to explore a beach, visit a local market, or plan a weekend adventure.
For someone who spends their free time searching for their next hiking trail, Costa Rica could feel less like a workplace and more like an adventure playground.
The Foodie: Thailand
Some people choose their next travel destination based on the weather.
Some choose based on the scenery.
And some immediately ask, “But what am I going to eat?”
If you plan your vacations around restaurants, markets, street food, and trying things you’ve never tasted before, Thailand deserves a serious look.
Thailand is a dream destination for food lovers. From colourful street markets to local restaurants and night markets, there are countless opportunities to discover new flavours.
You can try classic dishes, sample regional specialties, experiment with tropical fruits, and find foods you may never have encountered back home.
And the food is only part of the experience. Thailand offers beaches, temples, cities, islands, mountains, and a vibrant local culture.
Teaching English in Thailand can allow you to experience all of this while earning an income and becoming part of a local community.
For the person who believes that trying the local food is one of the most important parts of travelling, Thailand could be a very delicious choice.
The Big City Explorer: Japan
Do you love the feeling of stepping outside your door and immediately having somewhere to go?
Maybe you enjoy public transportation, technology, shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and the energy that comes with living in a major city.
If so, Japan might be the destination for you.
Cities like Tokyo and Osaka offer an incredible mixture of modern technology, entertainment, food, shopping, and traditional Japanese culture. You can spend one day exploring a futuristic neighbourhood and the next visiting a centuries old temple.
Japan is also ideal for people who enjoy having options. Whether you want to spend your evening at a restaurant, explore a new neighbourhood, visit a museum, browse shops, or simply take a train somewhere new, there is always something happening.
Teaching English in Japan can provide an opportunity to experience this culture from the inside rather than simply visiting for a few weeks.
And if you eventually need a break from city life, Japan’s mountains, coastlines, temples, and smaller towns offer plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds.
Your Personality. Your Destination. Your Adventure.
The best part about teaching abroad is that there is no single type of person who belongs overseas.
You do not have to be an extrovert.
You do not have to be a seasoned traveller.
You do not have to know exactly where you will be five years from now.
You simply need to find a destination that fits the kind of life you want to experience.
Your personality can be a surprisingly useful starting point. Maybe you want the excitement of South Korea, the history of Prague, the nature of Costa Rica, the food of Thailand, or the energy of Japan.
And the best part is that you do not necessarily have to choose between working and travelling.
With a TEFL certification, teaching English abroad can give you the opportunity to earn an income while experiencing another country as more than just a tourist.
At myTEFL, we help aspiring teachers become TEFL certified and connect with teaching opportunities around the world. Whether you already know exactly where you want to go or are still figuring out which destination fits your personality, your next adventure could be closer than you think.
So, which type are you?