Uzbekistan has welcomed us with open arms, and we can’t wait to return the favor!

What are the teaching and team time structures like?

In most cases, teachers will have a maximum of sixteen class hours per week along with weekly faculty meetings and office hours. Shared office space offers plenty of opportunity to interact with local colleagues.

Formal team meetings occur at least once a week. Shared meals and fun activities are often a part of this time along with times of encouragement and growth around deeper discussions. Team structure is partly determined by input from team members, so it may vary from one group to the next.

What does ongoing professional/personal development look like?

Personal development is achieved through a team setting where everyone is growing and helping each other to create an environment where people thrive. Healthy boundaries, opportunities for exercise, getting out in the community and exploring—whatever it takes to create healthy rhythms in all aspects of life—are a part of this. The team works both together and individually to create their own personal growth plans.

Every city team will have a teaching specialist to help encourage good professional growth. We work with the institutions to identify their professional development goals and how we can come alongside to develop that. Teachers are also encouraged to be observed once per semester and receive feedback. New teachers are paired with mentors who guide them through the first semester. Teams meet regularly to talk about academic endeavors, and at least once per semester, a teaching specialist will host a professional development seminar.

What is housing like?

Most housing is fully furnished and includes one or two bedrooms, a living space, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Living spaces are often large, making them very effective for hosting. Teachers are placed close to their teammates in safe neighborhoods within walking distance of their school.

What is it like to raise a family in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan is a family-loving society, so our teachers’ families fit right in. There are plenty of play places and activities for kids, as well as parks and outdoor activities. Many homeschool, but there are also private international schools that are well-run.

If only one spouse is teaching, there are many opportunities for the other to make connections. With a heavy emphasis on hospitality in Uzbek culture, co-laboring spouses find that they are able to make deep roots in society through friendships with Uzbek and foreign spouses. There are also opportunities for language learning and support within the team and extracurricular activities at the schools.