Navigating Life and Work Abroad with a Chronic Illness

Teaching English abroad is an incredible adventure, but it comes with a unique set of challenges. For those managing chronic health conditions, these challenges can feel magnified. The experience of navigating a new healthcare system, workplace culture, and social life while dealing with fluctuating health is a reality for many, yet it’s a topic rarely discussed openly.

If you find yourself in this situation, please know that your feelings are completely valid. You are not alone in this journey.

The Weight of Invisibility

One of the most difficult aspects can be the feeling of being misunderstood. When your condition isn’t visible, it can be hard for colleagues and supervisors to grasp the daily reality you face. They might see a person who looks healthy, not realizing the immense effort it can take just to get through a standard workday.

This can lead to comments that stem from a place of ignorance rather than malice. The notion that health struggles are a matter of “personal responsibility” fails to acknowledge the complex and often unpredictable nature of chronic illness. It’s a frustrating and isolating experience when the support you need is overshadowed by a lack of awareness.

Building Your Support System

Creating a reliable support network is crucial, but it can feel like building a puzzle with missing pieces in a foreign country.

• Professional Boundaries: You are under no obligation to disclose detailed medical information to everyone at work. Sharing on a need-to-know basis with trusted individuals or HR is a common and perfectly acceptable approach to protect your privacy and energy.
• Finding Your People: Seeking out others who “get it” can be a lifeline. While local patient groups are a valuable resource, the mental fatigue of navigating them in a second language is real. Don’t blame yourself if you need to step back. The search for community is a process.
• Digital Communities: Online forums and social media groups can be invaluable. Connecting with others in similar situations—whether they are in the same country or across the globe—can provide a sense of solidarity and practical advice that is otherwise hard to find.

Advocating for Yourself in a New System

It’s easy to feel a sense of powerlessness, to think, “This isn’t my country, so what can I really do?” But your well-being is paramount.

• Know Your Rights: Take time to research the local laws regarding disability and worker’s rights. Even as a foreign worker, you are often entitled to reasonable accommodations.
• Practical Communication: When discussing your needs with management, frame them in practical terms. Focus on solutions—”This specific adjustment would help me perform my duties more effectively”—rather than getting bogged down in a debate about the validity of your condition.
• Practice Self-Compassion: Living and working abroad with a chronic illness is a monumental achievement. Some days you will have more to give than others. Acknowledge your strength and give yourself grace on the difficult days. Your worth is not measured by your productivity.

Remember, seeking to thrive, not just survive, is a worthy goal. Your journey may look different from others’, but it is no less significant.