Quick Answer: Former foreign teachers reflect overwhelmingly fondly on their time in Malaysia, and many say they would happily return — missing the food, the affordable comfortable lifestyle, the warm people, the savings, and the easy regional travel. Some do return; others carry the experience as a career and life highlight. The common verdict is that Malaysia was a positive, often formative chapter, and the willingness to come back speaks to how well it’s remembered.
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Looking back: Would You Come Back? Essentials
There’s no better gauge of a place than how people feel about it once they’ve left and gained perspective. So what do former foreign teachers — those who taught in Malaysia and have since moved on — say about their time, and crucially, would they come back? Drawing on the common sentiments such teachers express, this is an honest reflection. The headline, reflecting the broad consensus, is warmly positive: most former teachers look back very fondly, miss a great deal, and many would happily return. The willingness to come back is itself a telling verdict. Here’s what teachers who’ve experienced Malaysia and moved on tend to say, looking back on their time there.
What former teachers miss most
Ask former teachers what they miss, and the same things recur. The food, almost universally — the cheap, diverse, delicious hawker fare and dining that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. The affordable, comfortable lifestyle — the ease of living well and saving on a teaching salary, often sorely missed back in higher-cost home countries. The warmth and friendliness of Malaysians. The savings (and the financial freedom they brought). The easy, cheap regional travel that turned weekends into adventures. And the community and friendships formed. These recurring ‘misses’ — food, affordable comfort, warm people, savings, and travel — paint a clear picture of what made Malaysia special and what former teachers fondly remember about their time there.
Would they come back?
On the central question, the common answer is a warm yes — many former teachers say they would happily return to Malaysia, and a notable number actually do, whether for another posting or even to settle longer-term (see our MM2H guide). Even those who don’t return often speak of Malaysia as a place they’d gladly go back to, or recommend unreservedly to others. Of course, individual circumstances (family, career, life stage) shape whether returning is practical, and not everyone’s path leads back. But the prevailing sentiment — ‘yes, I’d come back’ — is a strong endorsement. When people who’ve left still want to return, it says a great deal about how positively Malaysia is remembered by those who taught there.
What they’re glad they did
Beyond whether they’d return, former teachers often reflect on what they’re glad they did — and a recurring theme is gratitude for having taken the leap. They’re glad they embraced the experience, made the most of the lifestyle and travel, built friendships, saved money, and grew personally and professionally. Many regard their time in Malaysia as a career and life highlight — a formative, enriching chapter. Common reflections include wishing they’d explored even more, connected even more, or stayed even longer. The overwhelming sentiment is not regret but gratitude and fondness. Former teachers are typically glad they went, glad they embraced it fully, and glad for the rich experience Malaysia gave them — a strong testament to the destination.
Lessons for current and prospective teachers
What can current and prospective teachers take from those who’ve been and gone? First, reassurance: the strong fondness and willingness to return suggest Malaysia tends to deliver a genuinely positive experience. Second, encouragement to make the most of it — since former teachers’ main ‘regrets’ are usually about not exploring, connecting, or staying enough, the lesson is to embrace the food, travel, community, and lifestyle fully while you’re there. Third, perspective on the trade-offs — the things people miss most (affordable comfort, food, travel, savings) are exactly Malaysia’s strengths, so value them while you have them. The collective wisdom of former teachers is simple and encouraging: go, embrace it fully, and you’ll likely look back as fondly as they do.
Common Mistakes
Arriving without sufficient financial preparation for the first months
The initial weeks of teaching in Malaysia require significant upfront expenditure before the first salary arrives: rental deposits equivalent to three months’ rent, utility deposits, transport setup, household essentials, and initial living costs can total RM15,000 to RM20,000 or more. Teachers who arrive with insufficient accessible savings experience financial stress during what is already a high-adjustment period. Ensure you have a minimum of RM20,000 in accessible funds before relocating to Malaysia, and treat this as the baseline requirement rather than an aspirational buffer.
Underestimating the complexity of the Employment Pass process and timeline
The Malaysian Employment Pass application process, managed through the Expatriate Services Division (ESD), is employer-led but requires the teacher to provide certified copies of degree certificates, a clean police clearance certificate, and medical documentation. The total process typically takes 6 to 12 weeks from submission — longer if documents require attestation from foreign governments. Teachers who underestimate this timeline may find their start date delayed, their legal right to work in Malaysia not yet established on arrival, or their first payday affected by administrative delays. Submit all required documents immediately and in certified form as soon as requested by your school’s HR team.
Not researching Malaysia’s tax and financial obligations before arriving
Foreign teachers in Malaysia have specific tax obligations including registration with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), monthly salary tax deductions (PCB), and annual tax filing by April 30. EPF contributions at 2% of salary are mandatory for most foreign teachers and require a separate EPF registration. Teachers who arrive without understanding these obligations face compliance issues and potential penalties. Attend any financial orientation sessions your school provides, and if none are offered, research your specific obligations via the LHDN and EPF websites or consult a local accountant in your first month.
Choosing accommodation based on price alone without considering neighbourhood practicalities
Rental prices in some outer areas of KL look attractive but can translate into daily transport costs that eliminate the apparent saving. Beyond cost, accommodation decisions should factor in: proximity to the school, walking infrastructure, proximity to a grocery store, noise levels, building maintenance quality, and whether the landlord is responsive and professional. Teachers who sign leases primarily on the basis of rental price alone, without viewing properties in person and testing commutes at peak hours, frequently encounter problems — from difficult landlord relationships to exhausting daily commutes — that a more considered decision would have avoided.
Isolating from the expat and local community in the first months
The first term in Malaysia can feel isolating if a teacher does not actively invest in building social connections outside of school hours. Relying exclusively on school colleagues for social interaction is a common early mistake that limits exposure to the wider Malaysian experience and makes teachers vulnerable if those school relationships become complicated. Join expat Facebook groups, attend Hash House Harriers runs, explore local interest groups through Meetup, and make a deliberate effort to know your neighbourhood. The quality of social connections outside the school gates significantly affects how satisfying and sustainable the Malaysia posting becomes.
Not reading the employment contract carefully before signing
Malaysian international school employment contracts vary significantly in the protections and conditions they offer. Key clauses to review include: the probation period and its termination terms, what happens to housing and flight allowances if the contract is terminated early, whether there is a non-compete or non-solicitation clause, how end-of-contract gratuity is calculated and what triggers disqualify it, and the terms of any diplomatic or early termination clause. Do not sign a contract you have not read in full — ask your school’s HR team for 48 hours to review the document, and consult a Malaysian employment law resource or expat lawyer if any clause is unclear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Would former foreign teachers return to Malaysia?
Overwhelmingly, many say yes — they reflect very fondly on their time and would happily return, with a notable number actually doing so (for another posting or to settle longer-term). Even those who don’t return often speak of Malaysia as somewhere they’d gladly go back to and recommend. Individual circumstances shape whether it’s practical, but the prevailing ‘I’d come back’ sentiment is a strong endorsement.
What do former teachers miss most about Malaysia?
The same things recur: the food (cheap, diverse, delicious), the affordable comfortable lifestyle and the savings it allowed, the warmth and friendliness of Malaysians, the easy cheap regional travel, and the community and friendships formed. These recurring ‘misses’ paint a clear picture of what made Malaysia special to those who taught there and have since moved on.
Do teachers regret their time in Malaysia?
Rarely — the overwhelming sentiment is gratitude and fondness, not regret. Former teachers are typically glad they took the leap, embraced the lifestyle and travel, built friendships, and saved. Their main ‘regrets’, if any, are wishing they’d explored, connected, or stayed even more — which is really a testament to how much they valued the experience.
How long does the Employment Pass process take for teachers in Malaysia?
The Employment Pass application process typically takes 6 to 12 weeks from document submission through the Expatriate Services Division (ESD). The employer manages the application, but teachers must provide certified copies of their degree certificate, a clean police clearance certificate from their home country, and medical documentation. Starting document collection early — as soon as a job offer is received — is the most effective way to avoid delays to the contract start date.
Is Malaysia a good country for foreign teachers to save money?
Yes — Malaysia consistently ranks among the best destinations globally for teacher savings potential. The combination of competitive international school salaries, low cost of living (particularly accommodation, food, and transport), and low income tax rates means most foreign teachers can save RM3,000 to RM8,000 per month after all living expenses. This compares favourably with higher-salary destinations like Singapore or the UAE, where living costs absorb a much larger proportion of earnings.
What qualifications do I need to teach at an international school in Malaysia?
Most international schools in Malaysia require a recognised teaching qualification (a Bachelor of Education, PGCE, or equivalent), a minimum of two years classroom teaching experience, and a degree in the subject being taught at secondary level. IB World Schools additionally prefer or require IB workshop certification. Degree attestation — having your qualifications officially verified — is required for the Employment Pass application and can take 4 to 8 weeks depending on the issuing country.
Do foreign teachers in Malaysia pay income tax?
Yes. Foreign teachers who are tax residents — defined as spending more than 182 days in Malaysia in a calendar year — pay income tax at the graduated resident rate, typically 7% to 15% on a standard teacher salary. Non-residents pay a flat 30% rate on all Malaysian income. Monthly PCB deductions are made from salary, and annual tax returns must be filed with LHDN by 30 April.
Ready to Teach in Malaysia?
Teaching in Malaysia offers a genuinely rewarding combination of competitive salaries, low living costs, and a unique base for exploring Southeast Asia. Whether you are researching your first international posting or planning your next career move, every aspect of the process is covered on this site — from Employment Pass applications and salary negotiation to accommodation, tax, and life in Kuala Lumpur. Browse the related guides below to build the full picture before you commit.
Similar Topics
- When Do You Become a Tax Resident in Malaysia? The 182-Day Rule for Foreign Teachers
- How to Become an International School Teacher in Sri Petaling: A Complete Guide for Foreigners
- How to Become an International School Teacher in Seri Kembangan: A Complete Guide for Foreigners
- How to Become an International School Teacher in Seremban: A Complete Guide for Foreigners
- How to Become an International School Teacher in Rawang: A Complete Guide for Foreigners
- Volunteering in Malaysia as a Foreign Teacher: How to Give Back
References
- International Baccalaureate Organisation — www.ibo.org
- Cambridge Assessment International Education — www.cambridgeinternational.org
- Council of International Schools (CIS) — www.cois.org
- Ministry of Education Malaysia — www.moe.gov.my
- British Schools Overseas — www.gov.uk/british-schools-overseas
