Search Associates

What Makes a Strong Start

Beginning your career abroad is an exciting step, and the internship year is where many international educators find their footing. What matters most at this stage is potential, curiosity, and a genuine desire to teach.

You do not need years of experience or a completed teaching credential to begin, though holding a credential can open more doors. What schools look for in an intern is someone ready to learn, contribute, and grow alongside experienced colleagues. A strong academic background, some experience working with young people, and an openness to where in the world you might go all help. It is worth knowing that internship positions are limited in number, so approaching your search with flexibility and patience makes a real difference. The questions that follow help us understand where you are starting from, so you can take this first step with a clear sense of what lies ahead.

The Questions

Are you a final-year university student or a recent graduate within the past two years?

Our paid internship program is designed for those at the very start of their teaching careers, whether you are completing your final year of university or have graduated within the past two years. You may or may not hold a teaching credential or have classroom experience yet, and that is expected at this stage.

Do you have a strong academic record?

A solid academic background helps schools see your readiness to take on the internship. As a general guide, this is roughly equivalent to a grade point average of 3.2 or above in the US system, though we recognize that academic records look different around the world and consider each one in its own context.

Do you have experience working with young people?

This might include tutoring, camp work, coaching, mentoring, teaching assistance, or any other role working with children or youth. It is not required, but any experience with young people helps you step into the classroom with confidence and shows schools your commitment to working with students.

Are you open to working anywhere in the world?

The more open you are to different regions, the more opportunities become available to you. Internship positions are located around the world, and staying open to a wide range of places gives you access to far more of them. Some of the most rewarding starts to a career happen in places you may not have first considered.

Back to Step One