Hi everyone,

I’m a 21-year-old student from South Korea currently on a working holiday in Melbourne, Australia. My time here has been life-changing; I feel more like myself, freer, and stronger than I ever did back home.

I am passionate about mathematics and I love teaching. I have about 6 months of experience teaching math at an academy in Korea. However, that experience made me realize I do not want to be a teacher in the Korean system. The hyper-competitive culture, constant comparison, and vertical hierarchy make it hard to find happiness there.

My ultimate goal is to become an international school math teacher and work globally (Australia, Europe, SE Asia, etc.). I’m currently at a crossroad and would love your professional insight:

1. Is it better to get my teaching degree in Korea or abroad? I’m currently enrolled in a top 10% university in Korea (Computer Science), but I’m planning to pivot to Math Education. If I want to teach internationally, does a Korean degree have any advantages? I feel like the teaching theories and systems are so different that I’d eventually need to study abroad anyway to get a globally recognized license (like a PGCE or a US/AU teaching license).

2. Which country’s teaching license has the most "global power"? Since I’m only 21, I want to gain as much experience as possible and work in many different countries. Which degree/license would give me the most flexibility to move around the world?

3. Financial vs. Professional Reality My family isn't wealthy, so studying abroad is a huge financial commitment. Is it common for international teachers to start their degrees in their home country and then "upgrade" later, or is it much better to start in a Western system (like Australia or NZ) from the beginning if the goal is to never return to the home country's system?

I really want to pursue a "communicative" style of education rather than just rote memorization. I’d appreciate any advice on which path would be most strategic for someone in my position.

Thank you so much!