If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about what your teaching career could look like somewhere new, you’re in good company.
Many teachers hit a moment where something inside whispers, maybe there’s more for me.
That tiny spark is where Joshua Henry’s story began. What started as a casual thought turned into a new home, a new career, and a whole new way of seeing himself as an educator.
His journey is inspiring, but what matters most is this: everything he experienced is possible for you too.
If you’re thinking about taking the leap, but not sure yet, you’re going to want to read Joshua’s story.
It answers questions teachers everywhere ask before going abroad, answered through a real teacher’s leap and the life he built on the other side.
What Do Teachers Really Want When They Think About Leaving Home?
Most teachers don’t start by chasing an overseas adventure. They start by wanting something simpler. A little more balance, joy, space to breathe.
Joshua was already an administrator in Dallas when his wife applied to Teach Away.
What he didn’t know was that she added both of their names to the application.
“I still remember how much care Teach Away put into every step. I felt like I had my own personal recruiter.”
“The next day they called me,” he laughed. “I thought I was just being supportive. Suddenly I was in an interview.”
This is where many teachers naturally start. Not with certainty, but with curiosity.
What Teaching Can Feel Like When a School Supports You
The first surprise for many teachers who move abroad is how quickly the stress melts away. You don’t realize how heavy the pressure is until it’s not there.
Joshua felt this shift immediately.
“I felt free,” he said. “I could put my energy back into my students instead of managing constant testing stress.”
His sixth grade math classroom in Kuwait felt different from day one. Students were curious and excited. He had space to teach in a way that felt creative again. He wasn’t managing a testing calendar. He was managing learning.
“We had no expectations when we came. We just said we’re going to do this and see how it works.”
As an instructional coach, he worked with teachers in cycles that focused on growth and collaboration. PD felt energizing instead of overwhelming. Planning meetings were about ideas, not compliance. Every day brought a sense of possibility.
For many teachers abroad, this is the moment their spark returns. Teaching becomes joyful. Students feel more connected. You start remembering all the reasons you fell in love with teaching in the first place.
How Joshua Built Leadership Experience Abroad
A lot of teachers worry that moving abroad might slow their career down. For Joshua, the opposite happened.
Within two years, he became Assistant Principal. Two years after that, he became Lead Principal. He’s been in that role for five years.
He didn’t chase titles. The opportunities grew naturally because the environment supported it. International schools often give teachers room to lead, try new roles, and build confidence quickly. It’s growth that feels energizing rather than overwhelming.
Teachers Settle In Faster Than They Expect
Every teacher asks the same question before moving abroad. What if I feel out of place?
Joshua had the same concern, but it disappeared quickly.
“My school has over fifty nationalities,” he said. “You hear several languages before you reach your office. Everyone understands what it feels like to start fresh.”
“Kuwait is a great first stop for your first teaching experience overseas.”
What surprised him most was how quickly community built itself around them. Parents invited them over for meals. Colleagues helped them navigate everything from grocery stores to doctor visits. Students showed them pieces of their culture with pride.
Even small moments became meaningful. Joshua remembers walking through the courtyard and being greeted with cheerful hellos from students speaking different languages.
He remembers the first time a parent stopped him just to say thank you. He remembers teachers stepping in to help his family during their first weeks when everything was still new.
“It’s safe, family friendly, and tax free,” he said. “And the travel is amazing. Dubai is close, Europe is a few hours away. You get to see the world.”
He and his wife welcomed two sons in Kuwait. Their boys now grow up with classmates from around the world, celebrating birthdays with piñatas one week and traditional Kuwaiti sweets the next. It’s a childhood shaped by connection, diversity, and kindness.
You don’t lose community when you move abroad. You gain a bigger one.
What Life Abroad Looks Like When Your Job Gives Back to You
Kuwait became much more than a destination for Joshua. It became a lifestyle that supported him in ways he didn’t expect.
“It’s safe, family friendly, and tax free,” he said. “And the travel is amazing. Dubai is close, Europe is a few hours away. You get to see the world.”
Even his mother, who had never flown before, visited him in Kuwait. “She’s a passport queen now,” he joked.
Many teachers find that their quality of life improves overseas. Weekends feel longer. Evenings feel calmer. And travel becomes part of everyday life, not a once-a-year luxury.
When One Small Yes Creates a Full Circle Moment
Joshua and his wife originally expected to stay two years. That turned into nine years, two children, and a leadership role that has become a true calling.
Today, Joshua hires new teachers for the American United School of Kuwait (AUS). Many of them come through Teach Away, just like he did.
“I love interviewing,” he said. “Teachers walk in nervous and leave excited. I know that feeling. I’ve lived it.”
He understands the questions teachers are afraid to ask. He knows what reassurance sounds like. He sees the moment a candidate lights up at the idea of starting fresh in a new country. He remembers being exactly where they are.
His story has come full circle because he’s now guiding other teachers toward the same sense of possibility that once changed his life.
What Teachers Can Learn From Joshua’s Journey
Joshua’s path is uniquely his, but the possibilities inside it apply to anyone thinking about teaching abroad.
Teaching overseas can offer:
- a fresh start when you need new energy
- freedom to teach with creativity and confidence
- opportunities for leadership and growth
- balance between work, travel, and life
- a global community that expands your world
Most importantly, it can give you back the version of teaching you fell in love with.
Thinking About Teaching Abroad?
Teaching abroad is more than a change of scenery. It’s a chance to rediscover your purpose, your confidence, and your excitement for what comes next.
Every journey starts with curiosity. Sometimes all it takes is one step to find out where your future could lead.
Thank you Joshua, for sharing your story.