TEFL: My Passport to a Digital Nomad Lifestyle

It was my mother, who studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, who pushed me throughout my early college years to embark on my own study-abroad journey. In those days, I naively rejected this idea out of fear that I would miss out on the vibrant social scene of my university. After taking a solo trip to Europe in my junior year of college, however, my mom was right: I was instantly infatuated with the idea of travel. My wanderlust was ignited, and I knew that a yearning to see the world was now forever a part of me. After graduating from the University of Maryland in 2017 with a BA in Public Relations/Marketing, I was at a crossroads of how to begin my adult life. My mom (sense a theme here?) and dad mentioned looking into TEFL after graduation as it combined this newfound love for travel and an opportunity to use my creative skillset while living abroad.

First Step: Getting TEFL certified

After speaking with some ITA advisors and other former alumni, I decided that International TEFL Academy was for me. The main selling point has been its job placement guarantee and alumni network. I have made many friends using their county-specific alumni Facebook groups. Additionally, I met my girlfriend of 3 years from the ITA Alumni Busan page….who would've thought!

While living and working full-time in Washington, DC, I pursued my certificate by taking ITA’s 11-week Online part-time course. It was the perfect balance, and I would recommend this as a way to juggle both work and getting your accreditation. A few months later, I was off to the small town of Ribeira through the UP International Teaching Assistant program in Spain to begin my teaching adventure. A few years later, I spurred the partnership between UP and ITA…so if you have any inkling about teaching English in Spain, I truly recommend UP! Fast forward to today, and my mom's advice and ITA opened the door for me and a life spent teaching English in Spain for almost 2 years, then a year spent in Busan, South Korea, and most recently spending a year teaching in Istanbul, Türkiye. Every experience was special in its own way. But all three countries were filled with amazing students of all ages, friends for life (either locals or other teachers), and a lifetime’s worth of memories.

Transition from in-person to online teaching

Driven by a desire for flexibility and freedom after another year spent in the classroom, I knew I wanted to travel full-time. Teaching in a traditional setting often meant committing to one location for at least a year in my experiences (no regrets - I loved every second of it), which began to feel limiting as my curiosity to explore grew. Transitioning to online allowed me to maintain my passion for education while freeing myself from the physical boundaries of a classroom. This shift not only gave me the chance to engage with students from all over the world but also empowered me to design a lifestyle that balanced teaching with my love for travel and experiencing many more new places. With a computer and some new online teaching jobs — I hit the road with my girlfriend, and we haven't looked back! We've traveled to 16 countries in the past year, from Europe to the Far East, India to the Middle East, and now in Central America. Needless to say, living this Digital Nomad Life has been an adventure.

Creating a budget is key

Budgeting as a digital nomad and online English teacher is a crucial factor in successfully living this lifestyle and requires careful planning and discipline. Here are factors you should consider:

• Start by determining your monthly income from teaching and factor in fluctuating student demand and exchange rates if you're paid in different currencies.
• Prioritize fixed expenses like accommodation, insurance, and subscriptions for teaching tools or online platforms.
• Take advantage of low-cost destinations where your earnings stretch further, and set a budget for variable costs like food, transportation, and leisure activities. It is crucial, especially as a couple, to look for accommodation that has 2 rooms as teaching in the same room is virtually impossible.
• Ask for a speed test: My biggest advice to anyone looking to be a digital nomad is to ask for a speed test from a prospective Airbnb host... don't rely just on people's reviews or just a simple message "How's the wifi?"
• Emergency fund: Saving a portion of your income for emergencies or slower months is crucial, as is maintaining flexibility in your budget for unforeseen travel or work-related expenses.

Read more: Best Budgeting Tips for Digital Nomad TEFL Teachers

Add India to your Digital Nomad Route

Our digital nomad lifestyle recently led us to India. Originally, we hadn't planned to spend a month there, but that's the beauty of what we do! After enjoying a month in the beautiful country of Malaysia, we were ready for our next destination. A quick look on Google Flights revealed an affordable flight to Jaipur, India. Although we didn't know much about Jaipur, except that we loved Indian food, we decided to head to Rajasthan.

We researched all the Airbnbs in the city heavily, contacted all the hosts to ask for internet speeds, and settled on a lovely Airbnb in a high-rise apartment. We spent our evenings working online, as most of our students are based in Poland, while our mornings and afternoons were dedicated to exploring Jaipur- known as the Pink City. Being practically the only tourists in the city, it was a great way to connect with the Indian people as we really got to know our neighbors and other people in the apartment block after spending a month there.

Due to the lower cost of living, your income from teaching online can go a long way. During our time in India, we managed to enjoy ourselves without overspending. We indulged in the local cuisine, and on weekends, we ventured to nearby cities and attractions. India is a country rich in history, filled with stories waiting to be learned, and the warmth and friendliness of the people greatly enhance the experience.

📌 My Top Recommendations

📍 Cities: In our time in India, we hit 4 cities/ towns, including Jaipur, Bikaner, Agra and Deshnoke. I would truly recommend all these places to make the most of a tour of the Indian state of Rajasthan!

🍛 Dishes: When talking about what Indian dishes I recommend, I always ask- "How much time do you have?" But on a serious note, any dish with paneer (cheese) is incredible. My faves were the Udaipur and Jodphur paneer dishes, each offering paneer in a different curry sauce. Additionally, you could use the same curries for any lamb dish. If you are vegetarian, India is truly the best place to be

🛺 Experiences: If you are in India, YOU HAVE TO HIT THE TAJ MAHAL! Out of the 50 countries I visited, the Taj Mahal was one of the most remarkable landmarks I have ever seen. It will be hard to top it! If you are feeling adventurous, be sure to visit the Rat Temple that I mentioned before. After seeing it on CBS' "The Amazing Race" for the first time about 15 years ago, I knew I had to!

Become a TEFL Digital Nomad

Although one month may not seem like a long time, it provides enough opportunity to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of a city, from finding your favorite grocery store to your usual cafe and regular bar. Being a digital nomad and teaching English online has been the best experience as we have seen so many amazing places that would be a lot more difficult within a traditional teaching job on the ground. My advice to you is to try teaching online and use that flexibility to make the world your classroom. Whatever place you choose to take this journey, you won't regret it. And if your mom is advising you to study or travel abroad, maybe listen to her!

Go Further:

• How Much Money Can You Make Teaching English Online?
• 5 Reasons Why Teaching English is One of the Best Digital Nomad Jobs
• 10 Best Locations for Digital Nomad Online English Teachers in 2025