Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go?
We place students in several U.S. States, American International Schools around the world and host country schools in English speaking countries. We have specific partnerships with schools and districts world-wide. Please view suggestions on location tabs.
Do I need to speak the language of my host country?
You do not need to speak the language of the country you are living in. We only place students in schools where English is the language of instruction. These schools are located world-wide and are not limited to English speaking countries.
Can I split my placement between locations?
This is determined on an individual basis, please discuss this option with your UNI placement coordinator.
What if I don’t get placed in my top choice?
It is important that you are experience bound, not destination bound. If we are unable to accommodate your top choice of location, we ask that you remain open to other options. Do not list a second and third choice on your application that you are not truly willing to accept as a placement. If you are only interested in going to one location, you are encouraged to consider this as a vacation spot, rather than a student teaching location. Your deposit is non-refundable.
What does UNI do for me?
Your UNI coordinator will facilitate the academic portion of your placement. After reviewing your application, your UNI coordinator will secure a school, cooperating teacher and supervisor. In most international locations, we are able to give you suggestions for who can assist you with housing, but ultimately we do not secure the housing or pay for it.
We will point you toward resources that will inform you of the appropriate visa and vaccinations if necessary. Those resources may also be found on this website under the Resources tab.
Your UNI coordinator will assign a “local supervisor” to you. This person will meet you shortly after your arrival in the location and be available for academic and personal questions as you settle in to the area.
What are my responsibilities?
You are responsible for researching the location(s) that you are requesting. You should be well informed of the culture you will be living in. Know a few important phrases in the language of the country. Know why the school exists and the population that it serves.
You are responsible for contacting the cooperating teacher and supervisor once the names and contact information are provided to you by your UNI coordinator.
You are responsible for securing or confirming your housing, arranging your travel, and necessary documents for travel.
When will I know where I am placed?
Placements are done on an individual basis so there is not one date that we can guarantee that the placement will be complete. Our goal is to have fall placements confirmed by the end of April and spring placements confirmed by the end of November.
It is common for a school to agree to place you, but the teacher’s names may not be confirmed until shortly prior to your start date.
Where will I live once I get to my location?
Different locations encourage different options. Some possibilities include; a home-stay with a teacher at the school, a home-stay with a family with children at the school, an apartment as found on various internet sites, university housing at a nearby university. You may want to contact the Alumni Association at your university to see if there are any Alumni in the area you’re going. This might be a good resource for locating housing also.
How will this experience help me get a job?
Student teaching in the location you wish to teach in is always beneficial. It allows the school an opportunity to preview you, while you preview them as well. Most American International Schools will not hire first year teachers, however history has shown that exceptions have been made for first year teachers who have completed their student teaching overseas.
Research shows that people who student teach abroad or in diverse settings are;
...more understanding of educational differences in students
...have increased self awareness
...are better prepared to embrace unexpected issues in schools
...have an increased level of personal ambition, self-efficacy and professional competence.
If you are able to capture these traits in your interviews, it will likely be helpful in your job search.
We place students in several U.S. States, American International Schools around the world and host country schools in English speaking countries. We have specific partnerships with schools and districts world-wide. Please view suggestions on location tabs.
Do I need to speak the language of my host country?
You do not need to speak the language of the country you are living in. We only place students in schools where English is the language of instruction. These schools are located world-wide and are not limited to English speaking countries.
Can I split my placement between locations?
This is determined on an individual basis, please discuss this option with your UNI placement coordinator.
What if I don’t get placed in my top choice?
It is important that you are experience bound, not destination bound. If we are unable to accommodate your top choice of location, we ask that you remain open to other options. Do not list a second and third choice on your application that you are not truly willing to accept as a placement. If you are only interested in going to one location, you are encouraged to consider this as a vacation spot, rather than a student teaching location. Your deposit is non-refundable.
What does UNI do for me?
Your UNI coordinator will facilitate the academic portion of your placement. After reviewing your application, your UNI coordinator will secure a school, cooperating teacher and supervisor. In most international locations, we are able to give you suggestions for who can assist you with housing, but ultimately we do not secure the housing or pay for it.
We will point you toward resources that will inform you of the appropriate visa and vaccinations if necessary. Those resources may also be found on this website under the Resources tab.
Your UNI coordinator will assign a “local supervisor” to you. This person will meet you shortly after your arrival in the location and be available for academic and personal questions as you settle in to the area.
What are my responsibilities?
You are responsible for researching the location(s) that you are requesting. You should be well informed of the culture you will be living in. Know a few important phrases in the language of the country. Know why the school exists and the population that it serves.
You are responsible for contacting the cooperating teacher and supervisor once the names and contact information are provided to you by your UNI coordinator.
You are responsible for securing or confirming your housing, arranging your travel, and necessary documents for travel.
When will I know where I am placed?
Placements are done on an individual basis so there is not one date that we can guarantee that the placement will be complete. Our goal is to have fall placements confirmed by the end of April and spring placements confirmed by the end of November.
It is common for a school to agree to place you, but the teacher’s names may not be confirmed until shortly prior to your start date.
Where will I live once I get to my location?
Different locations encourage different options. Some possibilities include; a home-stay with a teacher at the school, a home-stay with a family with children at the school, an apartment as found on various internet sites, university housing at a nearby university. You may want to contact the Alumni Association at your university to see if there are any Alumni in the area you’re going. This might be a good resource for locating housing also.
How will this experience help me get a job?
Student teaching in the location you wish to teach in is always beneficial. It allows the school an opportunity to preview you, while you preview them as well. Most American International Schools will not hire first year teachers, however history has shown that exceptions have been made for first year teachers who have completed their student teaching overseas.
Research shows that people who student teach abroad or in diverse settings are;
...more understanding of educational differences in students
...have increased self awareness
...are better prepared to embrace unexpected issues in schools
...have an increased level of personal ambition, self-efficacy and professional competence.
If you are able to capture these traits in your interviews, it will likely be helpful in your job search.