Where we work / Mongolia
Mongolia, referred to as the “Land of Eternally Blue Sky”
Mongolia
Mongolia is an Asian country that borders Russia and China and is home to just over 3 million people. It is often referred to as the “Land of Eternally Blue Sky” because it has, on average, 250 sunny days each year. Each year, our teams have the privilege of working both in the city and in more rural areas of Mongolia working alongside Mongolian colleagues and educating the country’s future leaders.
ELIC started sending teachers to Mongolia in 1990. In those early years it seemed that Mongolia was frozen in another era; the capital, Ulaanbaatar, had the look and feel of a 1950s European city. Since that time, changes have been fast and have affected virtually every area of life. The United Nations recently estimated that over the next five years Mongolia will have one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Join our Mongolia team in the privilege of having front-row seats as these monumental changes continue.
frequently asked
questions
How many hours per week will I work?
Teachers conduct classes Monday through Friday for a variable number of hours per week, and will spend some additional time for prepping lessons and their classroom. Each class meets twice a week for ninety-minute blocks, and semesters last sixteen weeks, approximately from September through December.
What is the working relationship like with other faculty and teachers?
We work side-by-side with other colleagues, offering many opportunities for connection and collaboration. In some locations, our teachers are paired with a Mongolian teacher to co-teach in the classroom.
What is the student demographic?
We teach university students from a variety of countries including Mongolia, Korea, China, Tibet, Afghanistan, Russia, and Turkey. All classes are taught in English, so everyone at the school has some working knowledge of and ability to speak in English.
What will my first week look like? How will you help me get my life overseas started?
Teachers spend their first week on the ground going through a combination of country and city orientations that involve checking out key sites and going on language and cultural outings in town with students and teammates. They also get settled into their new homes/apartments.
What does ongoing professional/personal development look like?
For professional and personal development, we offer various small groups and other ways to help serve the community together. It is generally pretty easy to get involved with people in the community, because most people have a conversational level of English. In addition, some teachers pursuing higher education degrees choose to take online classes through various online universities worldwide.
What are some things I might do to contribute to my team if my spouse is teaching, but I’m not?
There are many important roles for non-teaching spouses. There is no shortage of opportunities for hospitality, engaging with people who want to practice English, or providing a listening ear. Hospitality is also highly valued with meals, game nights and other outings. Our non-teaching spouses put deep roots down in the local communities around campus as much as their varied responsibilities as a homeschool teacher, parent, spouse, and teammate allow.
What kind of housing will I have? How far away are housing options from the school and other teammates?
Apartments can be found close to the school. Most come fully furnished, but some may need more furnishings. Heat, water, and electricity are public utilities provided in every apartment and are checked each month. Internet is privately run and the connection speed varies from company to company, but most internet services are quite fast.
What are some surprising things I might learn after the first 60 days?
People are often surprised by how modern or westernized Mongolia is, especially in the city.
What is the team structure like? How often are formal meetings, and what do they entail?
The Mongolia teams meet formally once a week, and try to do a team outing once a month. Team meetings include eating, games, and just a time to connect with and encourage each other.