How do you build community when you move abroad and everything in your life changes?

In this Insider Voices episode, we speak with Jennifer, an American who grew up in Hong Kong and Japan before moving abroad again as an adult to live in Prague. She shares what it was really like moving abroad without an established network, creating a sense of belonging from scratch, and navigating international life as a partner, parent, and educator-adjacent professional.

We explore how early motherhood abroad shaped her relationships, how she found an international school teacher community and parent network, and what it felt like giving birth and raising children outside her home country. Jennifer reflects honestly on the realities of teaching overseas with family nearby or far away, the emotional weight of building community as a trailing spouse, and the unspoken challenges many international educators face when relocating.

Jennifer also opens up about moving back to the United States, experiencing reverse culture shock, and rebuilding her identity after years abroad. We discuss how international experience reshapes your sense of home, how community changes over time, and why returning can feel just as disorienting as leaving.

This conversation offers grounded insight into moving abroad as a teacher, teaching overseas with family, and finding stability and connection within international school communities.

Inside the episode:

• Building community as a trailing spouse abroad
• Motherhood overseas and navigating unfamiliar systems
• Finding an international school teacher and parent network
• Reverse culture shock after returning home
• Identity shifts after living internationally
• Practical advice for expat teachers and globally mobile families

If you are exploring a teaching abroad guide, planning a move overseas with children, or seeking a stronger international school teacher community, this episode offers honest perspective and practical reassurance grounded in lived experience.

Links & Resources

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at:⁠ https://connectedglobal.org

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

How do you build a meaningful community when you start over in a country where you know no one?

In this episode, we talk with Jordan about his move from Utah to Prague, where he found his footing in a language school that felt like the right fit and opened the door to a supportive international teacher community. He shares how teaching adult learners created real friendships, how music and creative events helped him meet people organically, and how Prague slowly became home. Jordan also reflects on navigating a breakup abroad, dealing with housing stress, and leaning on friends when life felt vulnerable.

We explore the mindset shifts that helped him connect across cultures, avoid common expat frustrations, and join a wider third culture community. His story offers practical encouragement for anyone moving abroad as a teacher, searching for international teacher resources, or trying to build a stable community from scratch.

Inside the episode:

• From Utah film school to life and work in Prague
• Finding a school environment that supports healthy community
• Building friendships through teaching and the creative arts
• Vulnerability and transitions abroad
• Third culture connections and navigating differences
• Tips for newcomers trying to find their people

This episode is for anyone hoping to join a global educator network, find community overseas, or build a meaningful life in a new country.

Links & Resources

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at: https://connectedglobal.org

What does it really take to find your people when you move abroad and everything familiar disappears?

In this International Files episode, we talk honestly about the emotional side of creating community overseas. We explore what happens when you lose your entire social history, how culture shock affects friendships, and why building belonging abroad often feels like starting your social life in kindergarten again. We also share the real experiences of making new friends, navigating mismatched groups, managing vulnerability fatigue, and finding your rhythm through routines, interests, and intentional connection.

We discuss expat parenting, the challenges of the trailing spouse experience, and the grief that comes from leaving behind the version of yourself you knew back home. Through stories from our own journeys, we highlight the layers of community abroad, from casual neighbor connections to the deep inner circle friendships that anchor you when life gets hard. This episode offers practical insight for anyone moving abroad as a teacher, searching for community, or building an international educator network that feels like home.

Inside the episode:

• Losing your social history and starting over abroad
• Culture shock and its impact on friendships
• Finding groups that truly reflect your interests
• Vulnerability fatigue and emotional resilience
• Expat parenting and shifting identity
• Trailing partner challenges
• Creating community through small gestures and shared routines
• Seasonal loneliness and the quiet layers of belonging

If you are navigating international school transitions, longing for connection overseas, or rebuilding your sense of community abroad, this episode will help you feel grounded, understood, and encouraged.

🔗 Links & Resources

📲Our Favorite Apps: Marco Polo, Snapchat, Whatsapp

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

🔗Online Therapy Platforms: problemshared.net & betterhelp.com

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at: https://connectedglobal.org

Welcome to ConnectED Conversations, the podcast branch of ConnectED Global (Connectedglobal.org).

We are Trisha and Brandi, international educators and school leaders sharing honest conversations about teaching abroad, international schools, leadership, and raising families overseas.This podcast is for educators and parents navigating international education who want clarity, practical insight, and real world experience.

Subscribe for new episodes and learn more about our resources and consultations at connectedglobal.org.

How do you know if a school abroad is showing you the real story or just the shiny version created for marketing?

In this episode, we talk through the digital world of international schools and how families and educators can read websites, social feeds, and online messaging with a critical but curious eye. We explore what each section of a school website actually reveals, how the Instagram effect shapes first impressions, and what silence or missing information tells you about leadership and culture. We also unpack how to evaluate authenticity across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn, while keeping in mind the realities of privacy laws, staffing, and regional differences.

We share strategies for verifying a school’s identity from afar, including how to check accreditation, how to interpret tone, and how to ask the right questions. Whether you are preparing to teach abroad, choosing an international school for your child, or comparing offers across countries, this conversation will help you understand the human stories behind the pixels.

Inside the episode:

• How to interpret school websites beyond the marketing
• What social media reveals about school culture
• The Instagram effect and the polished narrative
• Reading tone, transparency, and leadership presence
• Using accreditation, LinkedIn, and community feedback wisely
• What missing information might be telling you

If you are exploring international teacher resources, comparing international school contracts, or searching for a global educator network that helps you prepare for teaching abroad, this episode will guide you toward more confident decision making.

🔗 Links & Resources

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at:⁠ https://connectedglobal.org

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

Understanding an international school contract can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re comparing countries, currencies, benefits, and legal protections. In this Teacher Toolbox episode, we break down what international teaching contracts typically include, what varies across regions, and where teachers realistically can and cannot negotiate. We walk through salary scales, bilingual contracts, housing and flight benefits, notice periods, and the clauses that matter most — so you can prepare confidently for your next move abroad.

Inside the episode:

• What to expect in international school contracts across school types
• Where negotiation is possible (and where it usually isn’t)
• Key clauses teachers should look for when moving abroad
• How regional differences shape your offer and benefits package

If you’re getting ready to teach overseas, comparing offers, or trying to understand your next steps in the hiring process, this episode will help you approach your contract with clarity and confidence.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📌School Tiers Explained Guide: https://connectedglobal.org/product/school-tiers-explained/?v=9c049173fad5

📌Common Clauses in Comprehensive School Contracts

https://connectedglobal.org/product/common-clauses-in-comprehensive-school-contracts/?v=9c049173fad5

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at:⁠⁠ https://connectedglobal.org

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

International education is changing fast, and what teachers need to know before moving abroad looks very different than it did even a few years ago. In this Insider Voices episode, we talk with longtime international educator and consultant Kirsten Durward, who shares candid insights about the realities of teaching overseas today. We explore what makes a great international school, how leadership and school culture shape the educator experience, and the growing impact of recruitment trends, entitlement cultures, and shifting financial expectations across countries.

Inside the episode

• What great schools prioritize in teaching and learning
• How international hiring has changed and what recruiters value now
• Why evidence of impact matters more than passion statements
• How teacher entitlement and anonymity are reshaping online communities
• The financial planning all educators should consider before moving abroad

Whether you’re preparing for your first international move or thinking about your next step, Kirsten’s perspective will help you navigate the evolving landscape of teaching abroad with clarity, confidence, and a stronger sense of what to look for in your next school community.

🔗 Links & Resources

📌Kirsten’s FB Group: International School Jobs and Recruitment Chat: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361913421263770

📌Kirsten’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-durward-805a7528/

📌Edblana Learning:https://eblanalearning.com/

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at: https://connectedglobal.org

Recruiting season is here, but how do you find international teaching jobs without burning out or second guessing every decision?

In this Teacher Toolbox episode, we break down a practical teaching abroad guide for your entire job hunt, from choosing job boards and hunting down school vacancies to crafting a CV and cover letter that actually stand out in international schools.

Whether you are moving abroad as a teacher for the first time or navigating job changes abroad after years overseas, we walk you through simple systems, mindset tools, and international teacher resources that make the whole process feel calmer and more intentional.

We also share the biggest mistakes teachers make during recruiting season, the truth about chat groups and anonymous reviews, and the organizational routines that keep your job hunt focused instead of frantic. 🌍

Inside the episode:

• Choosing job boards
• Simple DIY strategies for how to find international teaching jobs
• Turning your CV into a clear story that fits the international market
• Writing cover letters that are specific, confident, and tailored
• Setting up an easy tracking system
• Handling the silence between applications and interviews

🔗 Links & Resources

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

⁠https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

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🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at:⁠ https://connectedglobal.org

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💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.