The Teaching Abroad Dress Code Guide

Going abroad to teach and no idea what to wear? We're here to help! We have compiled dress codes from around the world to ensure you don’t experience any first day embarrassment as a new teacher in a new culture. Don’t think you know it all already. Some of these facts caught us by surprise.

ASIA

Asia, as is known by reputation, can be strict and rigid in its traditions and regimes. The same thing goes for its schools, and teachers need to be careful to maintain respect via their clothing. Most of the guidelines seem obvious: pant suits for men, skirt suits for women with light colored shirts and sober ties. However, some old fashioned customs still ring true:

Jason Richey at Interac emphasized the point that foreign teachers in Japan should not dress like their Japanese counterparts. Foreign teachers are held to a higher dress standard and are expected to maintain a smart and professional exterior. See-Thailand also reiterated that teachers are highly respected in society and are expected to wear formal dress.

English teacher in Korea

MIDDLE EAST

Teachers abroad in the Middle East must have an awareness of the variety of different religions and traditions in their country and show respect for them at all times. It is likely that you will need to be prepared for visits to religious houses of worship during your day and knowing the rules is vital.

Andrew Short at Gems Education advises teachers traveling to Saudi Arabia that women are required to wear an Abaya and head scarf and, in some cases, gloves. Men are required to wear a neck tie. Short also explained that after relationships have been built some schools may allow Western women to wear trousers. However, this should certainly not be expected in all cases.

AFRICA

Africa has many countries, many traditions and many religions. As a result, it is very country specific when it comes to dress. The main thing to be aware of is the religion. Where in some countries a woman’s cleavage is thought of as provocative, in Gambia, a Muslim country, thighs are considered stimulating and must be covered at all times. South Africa and Kenya are Christian countries and Ghana and Tasmania have a mixture of Christians and Muslims. We advise that in all circumstances you follow the subsequent guidelines:

Melanie Martin from Connect 123 works in Cape Town, South Africa and advised the key was to keep your shoulders and knees covered at all times. She explained that it does depend on the school. In some schools it is acceptable to wear jeans, but she generally felt more comfortable dressing a bit smarter. Be wary of countries that, temperature wise, get very hot. This does not mean you can be relaxed in your approach to your clothing as a teacher.

CENTEAL AMERICA

Don’t think that just because you are in the laid back Caribbean you can dress down as a teacher. In fact, it is often quite the contrary. Emily MacDowell from The Dream Project confirmed that some teachers in the Dominican Republic are required to wear a uniform consisting of long pants, a blouse/shirt, a blazer and close-toed black shoes. We are all for this idea – it means no early morning decisions about what to wear everyday! This ‘uniform’ description is a good guide to go by but here are some more do and don’ts, provided by J. Alfredo at the Instituto de Idiomas e Intercambio Cultural in Mexico.

Teachers in Central America

• DO:
• Wear long trousers or skirts
• Wear long sleeved shirts
• Wear close-toed black shoes
• Hair brushed back in a hair band (women)

• DON’T:
• Wear mini skirts
• Wear string/tank tops
• Show tattoos at all
• Wear shorts
• Wear sandals
• Wear heavy jewelry

SOUTH AMERICA

South America, another vast and diverse continent, does not have any unusual dress codes but it is important to remember that the way you dress will affect the attention you receive. Some women dress provocatively to work, particularly further south, and it is not advised that you follow suit. Climate is also something to consider in South America. Dress in layers. You can wake up to the fog, eat lunch in the sun and battle the wind on the way home. Andrea Rodriguez from TeachingChile said normally the dress code is business casual with a tie required for men in some schools. Here is a quick guide:

EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, AND NEW ZEALAND

These countries have been bunched together as they are very similar. Stephen Holden at Intersol points out that competition is high so it is important to make and keep a good impression. With that in mind we suggest you err on the side of caution and dress formally. Obviously there are huge fluctuations in these countries and after some time you may feel you can dress more casually.

Some countries within these regions may be very strict and it is always wise to check with your program coordinator for any extra traditions you may be unaware of. Samoa, affiliated with Australia and New Zealand, is a very conservative and Christian country, which takes the Sabbath very seriously. Some villages have additional dress codes regulated by the village council and if broken, visitors or their host can incur a fine. There are superstitions about women with long brown hair in some villages so don’t forget hair your hair bands!

SIDEBAR

It is worth remembering to check with your program provider before you departure for any further specifics on dress code. We have connected with many programs to bring this article to you but some countries may have more specific traditions. Most importantly, have a great time!