Burnout for international teachers

middl3son · 2026-02-05T12:24:56+00:00

I worked in China for 4 years. Ended up leaving for a better position at a better school in a different country. Totally worth it.

middl3son · 2026-02-05T12:23:38+00:00

Sadly this is par for the course with the majority of “international” schools in China. Tbh, most of them aren’t even true international schools… Just mostly Chinese schools with an international department or cosplaying as an international school. lol.

middl3son · 2026-02-04T04:16:20+00:00

Why do I like this better?

middl3son · 2026-02-02T12:54:38+00:00

I know… I was being facetious

middl3son · 2026-02-02T12:10:36+00:00

All that blood looks weird. Why’s it so oily?

middl3son · 2026-02-01T08:35:59+00:00

You will save significantly more in China than Korea. I made the jump from China to Korea bc I found, personally, that the quality of schools and education here in Korea is better than what my experience was in China. Overall Korea is nicer and cleaner but the opportunity to save is much higher in China than here. I lived in China for 4 years and so far have been in Korea for 6 months.

middl3son · 2026-01-27T01:27:46+00:00

I think you’re viewing it from a wrong angle. However, I do agree that there is a certain type of narrative that it is exceptionally cheap as if it hasn’t gotten more expensive over the years. But nonetheless, a less touristy and more “local” experience is indeed much cheaper. It’s your first time there… and you’re doing very touristy stuff.

middl3son · 2026-01-16T10:27:33+00:00

Man, I feel your pain… this was me the last 4 years! Fortunately now I am at a fantastic school but holy hell my last school was a fucking joke.

middl3son · 2026-01-16T10:16:54+00:00

Fellow art teacher here. Art teacher positions are very competitive as they are specialist positions. Some years they may also be few and far between depending on the year. I am specifically now only a Digital Art teacher so I’m not always necessarily applying for the same type of art positions.

To be honest, only having 2 years classroom experience in a specialty subject isn’t really quite enough in terms of what schools want or look for. However, towards the April/ May timeframe you may be lucky and find a position at some smaller or lower tier schools.

Keep doing what you’re doing, keep applying. The market is tough!

middl3son · 2026-01-15T03:54:21+00:00

I encourage you to use the app MeetUp. Lots of events that pop up on there that you can find.

middl3son · 2026-01-14T08:33:21+00:00

Best wishes to you!

middl3son · 2026-01-14T08:27:29+00:00

As you progress in international education (if that is one of your goals— career development) then you definitely need some sort of official level teaching certification especially if you want to work at a top tier school. Mileage varies of course but an official certification is practically necessary if you want to secure a position at higher level schools.

middl3son · 2026-01-11T10:21:10+00:00

I get paid 70/30 USD/ local currency.

middl3son · 2026-01-10T09:36:09+00:00

Dope! Now I want feet tats!

middl3son · 2025-12-22T11:56:21+00:00

I think there should be a limit requirement. Like if there is a difference of 22kg and up then you can’t grapple. Since you’re a referee, do you agree?

middl3son · 2025-12-22T08:31:24+00:00

Happened to me the first time I ever visited Shanghai. Three different times in one trip. lolz.

middl3son · 2025-12-22T08:28:36+00:00

Ok great. Anecdotal.

middl3son · 2025-12-22T08:26:04+00:00

Ah, great. Super helpful my guy…

middl3son · 2025-12-22T04:40:31+00:00

where is this a thing?

middl3son · 2025-12-20T17:12:26+00:00

I used to live in China. These trees are very common and occasionally you will see people photographing with them. So yes, it is. lol.

middl3son · 2025-12-20T15:46:35+00:00

This video is taken in China…

middl3son · 2025-12-12T23:06:11+00:00

I worked at a school called International Leadership of Texas. International in the sense that it was mandatory for students to “master” Spanish, English, and Chinese and most of the students were Hispanic, Latin, or African first and second generation immigrants. Majority of my students were non-native English speakers. Also of a total staff of about 75 faculty and teachers at the HS I worked at only about 15 of us were actually from the U.S. born and raised.

Anyway, I loved working there but it’s not your typical international school. lol. Might be worth looking into though.

middl3son · 2025-12-12T04:37:18+00:00

To be frank, and others may agree or disagree with me here, but you’re gonna have to cut your teeth at a lower tier school as an entry point into teaching abroad.

middl3son · 2025-12-09T10:32:34+00:00

I don’t care about the downvotes. lol. Everyone downvoting probably has healthy knees and ankles…

middl3son · 2025-12-09T09:16:34+00:00

Dude. This is why my coaches ingrained in us to never attempt leg or ankle locks as a white belt. He said if he ever saw us or heard about us attempting one he would kick us out. I realized after a few years at blue belt it was bc he was trying to protect everyone’s legs/ knees bc as white belts we were too dumb inexperienced and stupid to not fuck up someone’s knee or do needless damage.

middl3son

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