5 Teaching Abroad Programs That INCLUDE Housing!

So you’ve found your teach abroad program and you’re ready to move across the world! But now you’re wondering: where will you live once you get there?

Whether you want to save your rent money to get ahead on your student loan payments, want to avoid any potentially crazy roommate situations, or you just don’t want to deal with the stress of house hunting from another continent, finding a teaching program which includes your housing can take a lot of the pressure off of your transition abroad. Here are 5 programs that will let you live abroad rent free!
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Central European Teaching Program (Hungary)

CETP is a placement agency which acts as a liaison to place American teachers in schools throughout Hungary. Through your teachers’ contract, your school is obligated to provide you with adequate housing (an apartment all to yourself, with all of the basic amenities, utilities included). On top of this, you will earn a monthly salary of roughly $500. If you come as part of a couple or as a family, you will be placed in accordingly larger housing.
While you do get guaranteed, rent-free housing, there is often little flexibility. Since the apartment is often owned by the school, the one you get is the only one available. While equipped with all of the basics, some apartments might be quite older or outdated than you’re used to. But hey! It’s a roof over your head, it’s all yours, and it’s rent free!

English Open Doors Program (Chile)

The first thing to note is that this is a fee-free volunteer program. While EODP provides teachers with a monthly stipend (approx. $100) to offset classroom/transportation costs, you won’t be making much else.
The program states that placements are in “rural, midsized, and urban” areas of Chile, and something to note is that your food and accommodation is provided through living with a host family, so take that into consideration if you like having your own space.

Emirates National Schools (UAE)

If you’re looking for something a little different than the popular TEFL destinations of Vietnam or Thailand, you might consider teaching in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. The benefits package of Emirates National Schools is hefty, ensuring private accommodation is provided (including utilities). Along with accommodation, the UAE is well known for providing high salaries (listed on the site as $3300-$4100) that are tax free. Check out the website to find out more about eligibility (teaching certification is required), life in Abu Dhabi, and the school system.

Media Kids Academy (Thailand)

Media Kids aims to bring English to more rural areas of Thailand. So if you’re excited to get a view of Thailand that goes beyond Bangkok, this could be a good fit for you! Media Kids’ website claims that they provide accommodation “in the form of an apartment, small house, bungalow, or a room in a shared house…Most accommodations will be studio type apartments.” However, the teacher is responsible for all utilities, estimated to be 1,000 Baht ($31)/month. Alternatively, the company claims they are willing to give you a 3,000 Baht ($95) stipend if you would prefer to find your own housing.  The aim of Media Kids is to “reach out to those who are not often able to experience the English language.” So although there are city placements, it’s more likely to find yourself in a smaller area.

EF (Education First), Indonesia/Russia/China

You may have seen me write about EF already when I was listing the best websites to find jobs teaching English abroad. They have built a network of English teachers in Indonesia, Russia, and China, and the accommodation differs between the three programs. For true provided accommodation, look for positions in Indonesia, where housing or a housing allowance is provided. In Russia they offer “relocation assistance, including optional salary advance and apartment search support”, and similar help is offered in China.

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So there you have it! 5 programs across the world that let you live rent free for teaching English as a foreign language. Which of these locations look good to you?