Staying Safe While Teaching Abroad

[International Expat]

Teaching abroad can be a wonderful experience. You'll learn new things, experience other cultures, and find yourself influencing students who are really motivated to learn. You may even learn a new language, and meet friends or lovers that will last a lifetime!

On the other hand, it's not all puppies and flowers. Teaching abroad presents different challenges than teaching at home. And one of those challenges is that it can also be dangerous.

We grow up knowing how to avoid common dangers in our own culture, but international dangers are different. Our natural way of doing things might not protect us – and worse, might make us more likely to be hurt.

With that in mind, we want to give you some quick advice on how to keep yourself as safe as possible when you are living and teaching abroad.

·      When speaking English in public, do so in a quieter voice than you are used to back home. In general, people in other countries speak more quietly than we do. Also, muggers and other criminals often look for English speakers to target because they think we are wealthier and more vulnerable.

·      A corollary of this is not to let your clothing advertise that you come from America or the UK. There are lots of people out there who do not like Americans or Brits, and as we said before, they think we are rich idiots. Wearing the American flag on your shirt or a Manchester United hat makes you less safe. Try as much as you can to make sure your clothing choices help you blend in.

·      Be wary of particularly attractive young locals hitting on you in bars and clubs. If they would be out of your league at home, they are probably out of your league here – and are trying to run some sort of scam on you.

·      Also, be careful about super-friendly new locals who want to show you a “cool new bar” or club. Often, these people are paid to steer unsuspecting newbies to these places, where the drinks are incredibly overpriced and you'll get stuck with an enormous bill – and large local men who will make darn sure you pay it.

·      Carry a small dog leash with you when you go out by yourself at night. This may seem silly, but it will make a criminal think you have a dog nearby. Muggers and rapists look for the easiest targets possible. While they know that they can intimidate a lone expat, they know that his or her dog will bark and won't give up defending their master until they are dead. They'd rather avoid that.

·      Use the map on your phone, not a physical map, when you are out on the street. Holding a map is an invitation for someone to pick your pocket or mug you.

·      Make sure you understand the local dating culture before you ask someone out. Methods of courtship that are normal back home can be an invitation to get beat up in another culture.

·      Beware of demonstrations. These can be common, come up out of nowhere, and most of them end with the police spraying tear gas on the people. Yes they may be interesting to watch, but they are very dangerous if you happen to be there when the cops finally get tired of it.

cc InternationalEducators.com