>Teaching English as a Second Language abroad is a challenging profession. One of the  first challenges with teaching abroad is finding housing on the local economy. Usually, one of the local teaching staff can help you look in the paper for a place. This will give you an idea about rent but also ask about utilities. How are things heated or cooled? How much does the teacher pay? What does it cost to get electricity turned on? Are there electricity outages? What about the water situation? Does it ever get cut off? If so, for how long? Some countries use propane tanks , like a BBQ tank, instead of a line directly into the house. How much do these cost to buy and refill. Do they deliver them or do you get to carry it? They are heavy when full. Outside of the US and Canada everyone else uses 220 volt electricity so your hairdryer is useless. Even if it does have a converter on it, the dryer will burn up very fast.    A lap top with back up batteries is crucial to writing lesson plans and keeping your sanity. There are also many online resources for ESL teachers and >learning English online is fun for your students.   If you are short on cash and or want to learn the ropes from a local then ask about being a roommate with a local teacher. Be for warned that this is like jumping off a cruise ship into the ocean. You can sink, get eaten by a shark/roommate or swim.