One of the best ways to travel abroad for a year or more is to teach English there. Foreigners are usually offered a competitive salary relative to native employees, and some might even live more comfortably in a foreign country, like China, than in the US. With the salary offered by one English teaching organization in China, English First, teachers can afford weekly massages and facials. The salaries depend on local costs and your teaching experience.

All that is required is a Bachelor's degree, the ability to speak English, and a TEFL certificate. If you do not have a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate or equivalent, it is not that difficult to get one. There is an online course as well as TEFL schools. It usually takes about a month to acquire a TEFL certificate. You can teach any age group, from two year olds to professionals.

The more difficult requirement is the working, Z, visa. China has many regulations regarding the approval of the working visa, such as unique, professional experience in a certain field, certification, an invitation letter from the employer, and a work permit, which the Chinese employer usually obtains. Once in China, numerous other procedures must be followed before you are legally allowed to work there. However, with the right employer, the process should be quick and painless.

Since the English language is in high demand in China, so are the teachers. Thus, there are plenty of jobs available in cities all across China, from the big and crowded, like Beijing and Shanghai, to the calm and peaceful, like Hangzhou and Dalian. Moreover, companies might even provide care packages, helping to smooth the transition. In particular, English First offers airfare compensation, visa and work permit sponsorship, health insurance, airport pickup, etc. Other companies might offer similar packages.

Articles written by current or previous English teachers in China can help illuminate the experience better. They're all online and give tips about what to do before you leave.

If you're looking to live in China for a year, want international experience on your resume, or just want a change of scene, you should look into teaching English in China.

Transitions Abroad http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/china.shtml Teach English Abroad with EF English First http://www.englishfirst.com/trt