This part is key. I live in nearby Taiwan and I’ve come across jaded foreigners and those who are functioning alcoholics. I imagine they feel “stuck” because they no longer like Taiwan nor their job but feel they don’t have the skills to “make it” in their home country and they may feel a little isolated for never fully integrating with the local culture.

Living abroad can kind of create a Peter Pan syndrome in some people, where they are just buying time by doing the bare minimum and don’t look for ways to level up and have access to more options. This is probably why people feel “stuck”

A lot of people’s introduction to teaching in East Asia is through a language center of some sort whether it be buxibans or hagwons. They’re great intro to teaching jobs, but I don’t think they make great long term jobs (for most), which explains their high turnover rates.

A lot of my friends who are in their 4th, 5th, 6th years of teaching English abroad are all working on exit strategies, and if they want to stay: ways to level up as an educator, exploring other job options and/or entrepreneurial ideas.

People need to know what they want in life before they become turn into a jaded expat.