If you’re the sort of teacher and traveler who prefers the mountains to the beaches, the Arctic to the tropics, and the actual chill to the chill factor, then this guide to the 5 coldest TEFL destinations out there is just what you’ve been searching for. It runs through a handful of places where the thermometers are sure to dip below the zero mark during the winter time; where woolly jumpers and thermal under layers are a must. There’s plenty in the mix, from the snow-doused isles of Japan to the historic towns of south Poland…
Japan
Teachers who like snow are sure to love Japan. The northern part of this amazing Asian country is known for having some of the heaviest and finest snowfall of anywhere on the globe. You’re looking for the island of Hokkaido, which actually sits just 29 miles off the shores of Russia at its closest point. That should give you an idea of just how cold it can get in the midst of the winter. The main city – and the place with the most TEFL jobs – is Sapporo, but the stunning backcountry is the real draw. That rolls through the Daisetsuzan National Park to smoking volcano cones and hot springs. There’s skiing, too, at the award-winning resorts of Niseko and Furano.
Czechia
Although it’s not particularly far north, the landlocked Czech Republic, recently renamed Czechia, has a continental climate that means it doesn’t enjoy the warming oceanic breezes of countries nearer the Med or the Baltic. The upshot? Thermometers can plummet to nearly -35 C (-31 F) in the middle of winter. Thankfully, there are oodles of cozy beer halls to counter the sub-zero outside with frothy ales to warm the blood. Prague also happens to have some of the most festive Christmas markets in the whole of Europe, best enjoyed when your breath is frosting in the air!
Poland
Contrary to what many think, Poland can be balmy in the summer months – like 35 degrees C (95 F) and humid sort of balmy. On the flip side, Poland gets super, duper cold in the winter. The southern mountains around Zakopane tend to be the chilliest of all the places. Come December, they are often bathed under a blanket of the white stuff and weather temps that are regularly -10 C or even more below the zero mark. Most folks will work in larger cities like Krakow or Warsaw, where the pay can be as high as $1,900/month.
Estonia
Estonia is often overlooked by teachers keen to find a job in Europe. But it shouldn’t be. The country sits on the side of the sloshing Baltic Sea, offering the UNESCO-tagged capital of Tallinn and wonderous swathes of pine forests that roll on to meet the Russian border. The location alone should give a clue that it’s a cold spot in the winter. In fact, the record low temp in these parts was a whopping -43.5 C (that’s -46.3 F), while the daily mean temperature in the capital is between +2 C and -3.6 C (35-25 F) from November to February. Bring the big coat!
Finland
Even though the vast majority of teachers who head the way of Finland will probably be chasing jobs in the southern cities of Helsinki and Turku, there’s no getting away from the fact that it will be a chilly place come November. Even the capital – one of the most southerly points in the country – sees daily means that are below freezing point from December through to March! Go further north and you can enter the wondrous world of Lapland, where fells rise between dashes of Arctic tundra. A certain Santa Claus lives up that way, you know?
If you can think of any more places that should be on our list of the coldest TEFL destinations out there, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Alternatively, start chasing those sub-zero temperatures by getting your 120-hour TEFL certificate today.
Whether it’s the highlands of Colombia or the snow-capped Austrian Alps, Poland in the winter or the chilly climbs of Vietnam’s northern mountains, there are plenty of cold TEFL destinations out there. If any of them have taken your fancy, then be sure to read on for a few tips on things you might want to pack for the adventure, aside from the usual jumpers, long sleeves, and the like.
Good boots
They say you lose most heat from your head, but it certainly doesn’t seem like that when you’re treading snowdrifts with unsuitable footwear. To put it another way – daps or sneakers are not the shoe of choice when it’s four degrees under and the cobbles of old Prague are caked in ice. Nor are they the pick when you’ve got to trek across Moscow’s Red Square to reach your school come mid-December. Trust us: Those oversized boots with furry interiors and hardcore uppers might not look the most stylish, but they’re going to save your life (figuratively) and toes (literally) when the subzero temperatures swing around.
Thermal underlayers
Anyone who’s hit a ski slope or walked anywhere when the mercury is in the minus should know that the key to keeping warm is to start at the base layer. That means long johns and thermal leggings, vests and leg socks are your friend. This is the gear that will line your skin and keep you from shivering. It’s the first thing you’ll put on each morning before heading out to navigate the icicles and snow pillows. And it’s probably the last thing you’ll take off at night, just before slipping under the warmth of your uber-thick duvet.
A wooly hat
It doesn’t matter if it’s a Santa-styled Christmas piece or a French beret, a Russian ear-flapper or a classic beanie, a hat is surely up there with the most indispensable pieces of luggage you’ll carry to a cold TEFL destination. When things get really chilly, it will become second nature to don your head protector. They help to stop wind biting the ears, snow cooling the hair, and with general heat loss. Of course, you should always remember to stow it away when teaching – dress codes are important business!
Gloves
In today’s modern age of laptop-based working, there’s often nothing worse than having seized-up digits when you enter work. That’s where gloves – a classic piece of cold clothing – can work wonders. They will save you from hitting the classroom with fingers that can’t handle the demands of a whiteboard or keyboard, so you can get stuck straight into those activities and English learning, no matter the weather.
Ski gear
Now this one only applies to those cold TEFL destinations that are lucky enough to be on the cusp of winter resorts (of which there are plenty!), but it’s something you’ll want to pack if you’re planning on hitting the pistes. Of course, ski gear is a broad term. It could mean bringing the whole shebang – your sticks, the skis themselves, a helmet, and your very own boots. Or, it could simply mean a snow jacket and salopettes, leaving the rest of the action to local rental outlets.
Face and lip moisturizers
For many folk living in cold TEFL destinations around the globe, particularly those who like to brave the elements for a spot of hiking in the French Alps or skiing in Poland, for example, a sensitive face and lip moisturizing product can be a real saviour. Not only will it protect against the bracing airs, but a UV-resistant option can also ensure you won’t suffer from light reflection off the snowfall that’s on the ground.
A good coat
Last but not least is arguably the most obvious of things to throw in the suitcase before heading off to that cold TEFL destination: A coat. This could be a stylish winter coat that’s long, flowing and black, or a vibrant ski jacket, or a hardy outdoor hiking piece – it really doesn’t matter. Just so you’ve always got that trusty overlayer, the first line of defense against the weather, at hand when you head out.
Of course, this list is just a snapshot of the things you’ll need to think about packing when heading to cold TEFL destinations. If you’re a veteran of the shiver-inducing Czech Republic or the high Chilean Andes, we’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below, too. Alternatively, if you’re keen on knowing more about TEFL qualifications, head over to our courses page.