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Imagine you’re a Christian teacher, eager, confident, and sensing a call of God. You’ve earned your degree and your teacher license, you have a couple of years in the classroom under your belt, and most recently, you landed that dream job of teaching abroad in an English-speaking, western-curriculum, international Christian school this fall. And because you’re a detail-oriented educator, you renewed your passport, your entry visa is nearly in hand, your airline tickets are purchased, and you even upgraded your old carry-on for one of those cool spinners! Wow, that sounds like the start of a perfect adventure, right? Well, almost. But we can imagine, can’t we?

Teaching overseas is an incredible adventure and opportunity that requires detailed preparation, and we hope many, maybe even you, will take the leap to serve God wherever He leads, and rest assured you are needed (see current non-USA opportunities). The missing element in our imagined teacher’s enthusiastic preparation is some helpful pre-knowledge and heart-and-head preparation for what is coming her way. Enthusiasm is beneficial, but without some basic knowledge about the new culture she is entering, the transition challenges ahead, and working with children from different world experiences from her own, her dream job might be more challenging than she imagined.  

PFO2Go, or Pre-Field Orientation to Go, is an online course developed by ACSI Global that attempts to fill the gap many first-time appointees experience when working and living abroad. Before there was a pre-field orientation program, international schools were regularly disappointed by new hires who were qualified for their job but missing information on how to transition to an international school, how Third Culture Kids think, and how to navigate their new culture. These well-intentioned educators often cut their time abroad shorter than anticipated, causing headaches for schools that spent considerable time hiring expatriate staff.

PFO2Go is now offered online but began as an in-person class in 1987. It includes about six hours of video content and reflection activities, guided Bible studies, an online community group for dialogue with other international leaders, and more. Upon completion, educators earn 6.5 CEUs.

PFO2Go includes multiple tracks to focus on key teaching areas in international schools. One track, the Culture Track, introduces tools for engaging wisely with a new culture. The Third Culture Kids Track provides tips on understanding the complex world of the students that new hires will interact with. The Transition Track covers how to plant roots overseas and make an impact. The Child Safety Track discusses the basics of child safety in the ministry of an international Christian school.

And finally, PFO2Go offers bonus tracks focusing on boarding schools, cultural intelligence, and developing a philosophy of education. Each bonus track offers additional CEUs.

You can find the full content details on the course landing page here. 

The course can be taken solo, but it is recommended that the educator partner with an advisor from the educator’s new school for discussion. The pacing of the course is also flexible, whether that means spreading it out over several months or just a few days. 

Who would most benefit from taking PFO2Go? 

We agree with one recent participant who said: "I would recommend this course to anyone going to an overseas school assignment because it touches on many important issues that affect everyone moving overseas: culture, transition, culture shock, how to handle the stress that will arise, and how to care for yourself."   

Returning to our imaginary teacher, suppose she had added PFO2Go to her list of preparatory steps. Now, her enthusiasm for her new assignment will be complemented by realistic expectations and a plan for handling the new challenges and blessings that will come her way. In other words, as we say at PFO2Go, she’ll start her new assignment “with more confidence, transition more successfully, and work with Third Culture Kids more effectively.” And, she might stay longer than anticipated, which would be the greatest outcome. 

Learn more at the PFO2Go course landing page.