What Remote Work Doesn’t Tell You—But Teaching Abroad Will
“Remote work shows you how to live anywhere;
teaching abroad shows you how to appreciate everywhere.”
The myth of remote work being the ultimate lifestyle dream has been debunked, or so it seems. Social media, filled with glowing snapshots of laptops beside lattes and hammocks strung between palm trees, portrayed just a partial view of what a life working remotely could be. For most, the reality of it is quite different. A sense of isolation creeps in, and behind the Instagrammable pictures and a work-when-I-want schedule, something is slowly fading away: a sense of connection, purpose, and genuine cultural immersion.
Does that mean we should all return to the hum-drum of our 9-5 office jobs and the long commutes? Of course not–unless you really want to, of course! But it does mean that working remotely can be just as frustrating as any other work arrangement if it’s not accompanied by a job that we find intrinsically fulfilling.
That’s where teaching abroad comes in. While it may not have the same glossy aesthetic, it offers something far more valuable—real-life connections, local culture, and personal growth that no online meeting can replicate.
The comparison of two realities
Remote work and teaching abroad could be considered mutually exclusive work scenarios, but who would say that one is better than the other? You! You’re the only one who can decide whether it’s better to work from home (or anywhere) to teach English online to Chinese students basics, or go to China to teach in a classroom.
Remote connections
At first, remote work abroad feels like liberation. You wake up in a new country, work from a sunny café, and meet other digital nomads over flat whites and coworking events. But the connection is often skin-deep.
Teaching abroad, on the other hand, forces you to be neck-deep immersed in a workplace, in a local neighbourhood, in the lives of students and colleagues who don’t just pass through.
The promise of freedom
The main allure of remote work comes from a promise of maximum flexibility–the holy grail of the work industry. But is it a real advantage, or can too much freedom become a trap? Without structure, you might find it difficult to organise your work and your personal commitments. As time begins to blur, you might start many tasks at once and lose track of priorities. Days pass without anchors—no real weekends, no true holidays, just a vague sense of “on” and “off” that follows the laptop.
Teaching abroad imposes a rhythm. You go to class, mark homework, and plan lessons. There's a calendar to follow, goals to meet, and real people relying on you. It may seem paradoxical, but this kind of structure can feel more liberating. You might enjoy your free time even more, now that you have given real purpose to your work life.
Different shades of cultural immersion
One of the lesser-discussed hard truths is that you can only skim the surface of a culture when you work remotely. You can spend months in a country and never engage beyond what’s necessary. You may have learnt how to book a table at a restaurant or top up your pay-as-you-go mobile phone, but that can hardly be considered stepping outside of your comfort zone. Of course, nobody expects you to become an expert in local traditions, but when you teach abroad, you don’t get the luxury of resting on your laurels.
Teaching abroad holds you accountable for showing up at work and in life and learning how things work around you. Instead of being the outsider looking in, you have the privilege to see the culture unfolding right around you: behaviours, authority, and any kind of interaction. You’ll make mistakes and there’ll be awkward silences and embarrassing situations; there’ll be times to apologise and show gratitude. That’s how you develop cultural fluency through life experiences.
Perceived or actual personal growth?
From the safety of your seat in front of a screen and confident in your own skills and experience, remote work can make you feel competent. There’s predictability in what’s expected of you and how it should be achieved. There’s no disruption. But teaching abroad often does just that: at least at first, it disrupts minds and hearts. You mispronounce names, misread body language, and misunderstand expectations. It’s humbling. And that humility is what opens the door to growth.
Managing a classroom in a foreign country forces you to develop patience, resourcefulness, and empathy. You start paying attention to what works, not just what’s familiar. You become a better communicator—not because you want to, but because you have to. These are life skills, not just job skills. They serve you long after your teaching contract ends—whether you return home, stay abroad, or eventually shift into remote work with a whole new mindset.
A different kind of freedom
There’s a freedom that comes from choosing where you live. But there’s another kind that comes from knowing how to live well anywhere. Teaching abroad gives you that second kind. You learn to adapt, connect, and build a life out of what’s available rather than convenient. You stop chasing perfect conditions and start becoming the kind of person who can thrive in imperfect ones.
In the end, remote work teaches independence. But teaching abroad teaches interdependence. One without the other can feel hollow. Together, they offer a richer, more balanced approach to life beyond borders.
The new (old) way to work
If working remotely has ever left you wanting something more, you’re not alone. Remote work might get you on the plane, but teaching abroad is what helps you land. It’s not an easy path, and it won’t make your life look Instagram-worthy, but it changes your soul from the core. Try teaching abroad if you’re ready to transform your life from the inside out.