Could I still teach English abroad if I majored in registered nursing?
I'm going into my junior year of university and I plan on majoring in registered nursing. I have a huge interest in East Asia so I was thinking of teaching English in maybe Japan or Hong Kong after I get my Bachelor's, although I wouldn't mind South Korea or China. Anyway, I just want to know, if I went away for a year or two to teach English would that effect my skills and what I remember as a nurse? I plan on going as soon as I finish my degree so I'm just worried that I'll forget a lot of what I learned in university and I'll end up needing to go back to school. So, does it seem feasible to major in nursing and go away to teach English for a year or two? If so, would doing self-study while I'm away help me to remember? Or should I just give it up and travel after I get my career going? I realize that there isn't really a concrete answer that can be given to this type of question but I would just like some opinions. Thanks. :-)
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In terms of the requirements, you'd have no difficulty, as the only criteria for teaching English in most Asian countries is a Bachelor's degree--regardless of what degree it happens to be. What you may want to look at are the advantages and disadvantages of each possibility. Japan virtually always has open positions, and for some corporations such as the Jet Program, you'd be able to interview in the United States. The pay is fairly good, but you'll likely have to pay for your own apartment, and Japan is an expensive country in most respects. It's also occasionally more difficult to get positions through programs and companies, as those jobs may have several candidates. South Korea pays very well--approximately $2200/month on average or more at this point--and it has several other advantages. The tax rate is minimal (usually between 5-15% depending on your level of income), your apartment and plane tickets are paid for and you receive a month's pay as a bonus at the end of a year contract (which is required by Korean law). On the other hand, Korea doesn't feel quite as urbane as the alternatives (though that's subjective), and it's a bit more culturally isolated. China and/or Hong Kong definitely has a growing market for teachers, but due to its often unregulated system, it can be one of the more indefinite choices. I've heard more horror stories about schools in China than anywhere else in Asia. However, the average pay is continuing to rise, and more reputable schools are continually seeking teachers. Again, though it's subjective, I feel that the culture is often much more interesting and rewarding than Japan and Korea. Finally, in regard to your other concerns, I personally feel that the experience of living and working abroad is worth far more than maintaining continuity in your education. In an increasingly globalized world, travel and world experience are often looked upon more favorably than more traditional work experience. You get to experience a wholly different culture, travel and gain a lot of memories while earning a very good wage. In short, I'd say it's worth it. As you said, you can always study while abroad, and there are always refresher courses to get you back on track. (Edit: To clarify the confusion I've seen in the answers others have given to this issue, none of the three countries you mentioned--Japan, Korea and China--require TEFL certification. The *only* requirements in most cases are that you be a native speaker of the U.S., U.K., South Africa, Australia or New Zealand and possess a Bachelor's degree. Having certification can certainly help, but it's not a necessity for employment. That being said, it certainly does help in terms of your ability to carry out the actual job requirements. The visa process can be laborious, and most schools or agencies handle the majority of the work for you, but contrary to what one person claimed, this fact doesn't make the industry as a whole less inclined to hire someone who does not have certification of any kind. On the contrary, the English-teaching market continues to grow, and teachers--however qualified--continue to be in high demand.)
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