Why TEFL?

I had a recent conversation with a young woman who was planning on leaving a steady job and a secure life in Australia to take a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate course in order to become an English teacher and live and work overseas. 

In our conversation, the question of why TEFL was at the forefront and it caused me to reflect on the decisions I'd made in the past. Interestingly enough, we both shared a similar desire and motivation; to challenge and fulfill ourselves through travel and teaching. Because becoming a TEFL teacher almost inevitably combines both, although most teachers can almost always gain a higher wage in their home country, the majority live and teach abroad because living in a foreign country makes the experience even richer. Teaching will always be a challenge no matter where you work in the world, and I think that's what makes it so interesting and ultimately rewarding, however being able to also immerse yourself in the culture and language of a foreign country in and out of the classroom is a unique experience.

Which brings us back to the initial question - why TEFL? Because you can study a TEFL Certificate course almost anywhere in the world, so from the beginning you are able to live abroad and experience another country and culture. Because it's a professional qualification that only takes a month to complete, and for the rest of your teaching career you will continue learning. Because it allows you to live in whichever country takes your fancy and meet people who will enrich your life as much as you enrich theirs through helping them to discover the beauty of language learning. 

I could continue with many more reasons, but I think that's actually enough reasons for me! What about you?