Pack Your Bags: The Essential Checklist for British Teachers Moving Overseas

           The Essential UK Teach Abroad Checklist

1. Official UK Documents

• Valid Passport: Must have at least 6 months left before expiry. (Also bring a few passport photos)
• Criminal Records Certificate: The standard UK police check required for foreign work visas (some people know this as a CRB check in the UK)
• Legalised Documents: Degrees and certificates legalised via the UK government's Apostille service. (Just keep in mind this has added costs and not every school requires it)
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): Optional, not all school want this your degree is more than enough.
• TEFL/CELTA Certificate: A minimum 120-hour qualification from a UK-recognised provider. (I used this company)

2. Tech & Classroom Gear

• Worldwide Travel Adapter: Essential for converting British 3-pin plugs overseas.
• Laptop & External Hard Drive: For building lesson plans and saving teaching resources. (some schools do supply you with one check first)
• Smart-Casual Wardrobe: Clothes that meet local cultural standards (often more formal than UK schools).
• Comfortable Footwear: You will be on your feet teaching for most of the day.

3. Health & Finacial Prep

• Expat Health Insurance: Private cover (I have private coverage through my Revolut card. Some schools supply health insurance check when signing the contract and ask questions)
• Prescription Supplies: Take a 3 month supply of medication and get a letter from your GP. (chemists\ Pharmacys here supply EVERYTHING and its cheaper)
• Fee-Free UK Debit Card: Cards like Monzo, Starling, or Revolut to avoid hefty foreign exchange fees. (I use Revolut Referral code the fees have never been more than 12 GBP) 
• Relocation Cushion: Enough savings to cover your first month's rent and deposit before your first payday. (This is a must! Remember you have to have money for a deposit, rent, transport and food)

4. Comforts from Home

• British Tea Bags: A stash of Yorkshire Tea or PG Tips is a proven cure for early homesickness.
• Skincare & Deodorant: Specific UK brands can be incredibly expensive or impossible to find abroad plus most cosmetics have whitening agents in them.

FUTURE POSTS:

Specific requiements for certain countries.

Travel companies