We’re all a little more reflective in January. A new year forces us to look backwards as well as look ahead. It can leave us feeling a little deflated, or totally inspired! If you’re looking to start a new adventure in 2022, we’ve put together a guide to starting a new life just for you…

A plan for your adventure

So you want to start a new life? Have you considered why? Is it the long winter nights and drizzly rain you want to escape? Are you bored of experiencing the same culture and lifestyle every day? Would you like to start a new career, with brighter opportunities and more excitement? Have a think about why you would like to change up your routine and shake up your life, as this will guide you in your decisions when planning your next step. If you’re all about travel, then you need to focus on how to gain those opportunities. If it’s an exciting new career you’re looking for, then you’ll want to look at what qualifications and experience are required to go down the path you’re choosing. Think about the final goal, try to imagine where you would like to see yourself this time next year, and work backwards from there. This will help guide what steps you need to take to achieve your dream.

Sage advice

You’re not the first to take this step, and you won’t be the last. Moving abroad and starting a new life can a daunting prospect, however you’re not doing it alone. There will be thousands of people who have already shared your experience, and will be able to give you plenty of advice. At IH London, we have a Facebook group where all of our graduates have created a tight knit community of English Language Teachers across the globe, who share advice, recommendations and experiences. There are plenty of other places you can find similar resources, including YouTube vlogs and various social media groups. For example, check out this great video by YouTuber Emily Stoker who talks you through some of the practical steps to moving abroad, such as paying rent and finding a suitable mobile phone contract.

A place to escape to

What are you looking for? Sunshine and long evenings on the beach, a peaceful quiet country life, or parties in the city centre? It’s important to image your life and what you hope to gain from your new adventure when picking what country to live in. You can then base your job applications on locations which suit you. Once you’ve settled on where you would like to live, search on job websites such as the tefl.com map where you can search for work based on location. Scroll through the world map and see what towns, cities and countries appeal to you.  If you’re not sure where to start, try this great quiz from How Stuff Works, to discover where in the world you should live!

Inspiring employment

Of course, one of the most important things to factor in when starting a new life is what you will do for work. It can be confusing finding employment opportunities abroad, with different qualifications and experience required. For many, working as an English language teacher has created the opportunity to travel, explore and set up life in another country for decades. The most respected and internationally recognised qualification to become an English language teacher is the CELTA. The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages awarded by Cambridge English is recognised globally. This qualification only takes 4 weeks to gain, but is a priceless tool when it comes to gaining employment abroad. The intensive course allows trainees to gain a range of teaching skills as well as a depth of knowledge of the English language. It is a requirement for employment in many schools across the globe, and can open infinite doors of opportunity.

Learn more about what the CELTA intensive course includes in this video from Cambridge Assessment English (filmed at International House London, where the CELTA was first invented.)

The most important thing about starting your new life is focusing on your happiness. This move is for you. You might face challenges, you will have crazy new experiences, you will go on brilliant adventures. As long as your keep your happiness as your guide and motivation throughout, then you should be just fine, or maybe even better…