For those of you who have considered spending some time overseas but don't have access to funds to make your dream feasible, there are options out there. As a student, you could study abroad with the help of financial aid. As an employee, you could ask for a transfer to an international branch of your company. If you're independently wealthy, you could travel whenever, wherever.
Do none of these situations apply to you? Then consider teaching abroad. English is in high demand worldwide, and getting hired as an English teacher requires only a few basics. Most schools overseas prefer English as your native language. However, if English isn't your first language, you're not necessarily ruled out- you just need to demonstrate a level of proficiency that's satisfactory to the school.
Daunted because you don't have a teaching certificate? Not to worry. Certification requirements vary by school, and many programs don't require one at all. I taught overseas for five years and still don't have any form of certification.
Not sure where you want to travel? Spin a globe. Almost every country that doesn't employ English as a native language is hiring people who are willing to work.
Can't commit to a long-term contract? Many programs will allow you to work for just a few months at a time. Summer is always a popular short-term time frame, but I also know people who use teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to globe trot year round. Teach for three to six months in one locale, then jump somewhere new. It's a great way to travel the world while earning money to pay your way. In fact, determining when it's time to repatriate back to the United States is the toughest part.

Also, many schools offer contracts that cover your housing and airfare, so your salary is a bonus. You just need to cover food and other basic expenses, which usually add up to pennies compared to American costs.
So what do you need to be a successful international English teacher? A sense of adventure, a willingness to adapt to new cultures, a flexible attitude and curiosity of the world in general. Oh, and having some sort of affinity for children helps.
But even that isn't hard and fast. People of all ages are clamoring for language lessons. You can teach to kindergartners, elementary, junior and senior high school students. Prefer working with adults? Businesses often hire teachers or hire-out for teaching services to improve their employees' English skills. If you have a background in business or medicine, you'll be in high demand. Different teaching organizations (schools, agents, companies, etc.) specialize in different clientele bases, so shop around to find the organization that's the best fit for you. And remember, you definitely get a say in who you'll be teaching.
Not a morning person? Don't fret. In addition to the traditional school day, lots of schools offer afternoon and evening lessons for both children and adults. You can even advertise yourself as a freelance tutor, allowing you to pick and choose your clients, your hours and your pay.
Still not sure you're ready to take the plunge? Want some experience before you make even a short term commitment? Consider a classroom environment to learn the basics while also incorporating hands on teacher training. Getting an ESL certificate, while not necessary for many jobs, is a great way to get started and help get over the jitters. There are ESL programs here in America. You can take classes as your schedule permits, and once comfortable start looking for jobs abroad.
Or, you can use the ESL certificate as an excuse to move yourself into the international scene. There are several reputable companies out there that offer ESL training abroad, usually lasting a month or so. And most of them offer job placement services, so once you've graduated from their program, you've got a resource to land you that first job. And trust me, once you get your first gig, others come quickly after. Teaching abroad is its own little circle in the international community, and you'll be plugged into that grapevine from the time your plane first lands on foreign soil.
To get started on your research, here are a few recommended websites:
TEFL Worldwide Prague (http://www.teflworldwideprague.com/). In the heart of Prague, this  program teaches you everything you need to know about teaching ESL. Within the month long program, you will have a chance to teach to a group of adults to get you that hands-on feel, and instructors and your class give you great, positive feedback. It sounds intimidating, but it's run in such a relaxing atmosphere that you needn't feel threatened. They also offer a comprehensive multi-country job placement program for their graduates. I've had personal recommendations for this program, and have no problem shamelessly touting it. Oh yeah, and you'll be in Prague, home of some of the world's best goulash, among other things.
http://www.daveseslcafe.com/ is another great website to visit. This is a kind of catch-all in the world of teaching abroad, and the most well-known. There are job postings, certificate program postings, a resume posting service, information for teachers, international job forums, and a very helpful staff (aka Dave Sperling). There are literally thousands of jobs posted to this website, and while Dave doesn't guarantee the postings (he gets so many it's not possible), he does stick with reputable companies. If ever a company earns a bad reputation and Dave hears about it, he follows through. And the customer response time is quick- I e-mailed him once asking what he knew of a specific company, and he responded in less than a day. Shocking considering most sites of similar volume. I highly recommended this site.
A second general site to peruse would be http://www.teachabroad.com/search.cfm. This particular site has some nice search options (by country, hot jobs, etc.) that can skip you ahead in your search if you know where you're looking to wind up. You can find thousands of listings here, too, so plan on taking some time to properly look through it.
My final recommendation is the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program). Find it at http://www.jetprogramme.org/. This program, as the name implies, is specific to Japan. I have met several people who have participated, and they all rave about it. Great people, great culture, great experience, and really great salary. The amount you can bank with this program is astronomical. You do need to commit to a year, and competition to get in is tough, but you'll walk away with a load of cash and a great addendum to your resume. Not to mention all of the cultural experiences and travel opportunities along the way. Most participants are limited to one-year stints, but after you've completed your year, jumping elsewhere is a breeze. In teaching circles, the JET Programme is considered prestigious and can open new doors for you.
Oh, as many of the salaries are listed in local currency, go to www.xe.com to equate the numbers into dollars. It's my favorite currency converter and tends to be updated to the day, if not the minute. And if you think the dollar figures seem low, remember that you'll be earning and paying local rates- don't even try to compare your income to an American salary. Cost of living in most places around the world is minimal, and a lower salary there will actually allow you to save more in the long run.
Of course, there are other high quality, legitimate programs available. The websites listed here are programs that I've either had personal contact with or have received positive references to from other teachers with direct experience. Don't allow this list to restrict your search, but I would suggest starting with these four sites to give you an idea of what's available, what kind of pay you might be able to expect, where you might want to go, and whether or not you need or want a certificate to land you the job you're considering.
Happy hunting!

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