Is IICS an educational organization or a missions ministry?
My degree is not in theology or Christian studies. Can IICS still place me?
Does IICS use individuals on sabbatical?
Can families with children be placed?
What are the options for educating my children abroad?
I don’t speak a foreign language. Can I teach my classes in English?
In which parts of the world is IICS working?
What is the IICS advantage in helping professors find placements internationally?
What does IICS offer to help me be better prepared to teach internationally?
Can IICS help make me a better professor and enhance my academic career?
Once I become a teaching fellow, does IICS require me to do anything in an ongoing way?
- Is IICS an educational organization or a missions ministry? IICS is a non-profit 501(c)3 educational organization. However, the vision of IICS is to develop leaders who think and live Christianly. So IICS is an educational service organization with a missions motive. We desire to see lost students come to know Jesus Christ and cultures renewed by the truth and grace of the gospel. Top of page
- Do IICS professors have to raise support for their salaries, or does the university pay a stipend and cover expenses? Overseas universities usually pay IICS professors an above-average salary or housing allowance, by their standards. However, due to the unstable economies and the high cost of living for expatriates in most countries where IICS works, the university salary is seldom sufficient. Working within an approved budget, IICS helps the candidate raise support through church contacts, family, friends, as well as through foundations and grants. Top of page
- My degree is not in theology or Christian studies. Can IICS still place me? Certainly! IICS needs professors from a broad range of disciplines to teach in overseas universities. Actually, most of our IICS professors teach fields other than theology or Christian studies. We are looking for individuals with graduate degrees who can teach their specialty from a Christian perspective. Math, Engineering, History and English are just a few of the requests we receive from around the globe. Top of page
- Does IICS use individuals on sabbatical? Yes. IICS prefers long-term placement. However, a sabbatical is often a good opportunity for Christians to experience overseas ministry. A placement of one academic year can still make a difference on the campus and in the life of the professor. Two-year commitments or longer are ideal, but IICS recognizes the benefits of a shorter term of service as well. Top of page
- Can families with children be placed? Many IICS teaching fellows have children still at home. The IICS philosophy is that unbelievers can get a good picture of Christianity by seeing the love of God working in a family. Top of page
- What are the options for educating my children abroad? Homeschooling, international schools or the local public schools, depending on the country of service, the language and the age of the children. Top of page
- Does IICS only place PhDs? Primarily, yes. However, in many cases, terminal degrees such as an MBA, a JD, or an MA in TESL are in high demand in universities overseas. A PhD, ThD, EdD, or a medical degree (MD, DDS, DVM) is the usual standard requirement of the universities with which IICS works. Top of page
- I don’t speak a foreign language. Can I teach my classes in English? Yes. In fact, the universities usually request that IICS professors teach in the English language. This gives the students an opportunity to learn the subject matter as well as improve their English skills. However, this is not the case at many universities in Central and South America, Francophone Africa or some European universities. Top of page
- In which parts of the world is IICS working? Around the globe. A number of the countries which host IICS professors are considered hardship posts–living conditions in some nations can be difficult by Western standards in developing or emerging nations. IICS currently has professors serving in over twenty nations. Top of page
- Why is it better to serve with IICS than to try to secure placement on my own as a professor overseas? Sometimes it seems “easier” to strike out on your own than to go through an organizational vetting process. At the same time, it is common sense to realize that, especially in any spiritual enterprise accountability and interdependence are preferable to and safer than unaccountability and independence. IICS members not only avoid “reinventing the wheel,” they enjoy the security of a team that can point out the hazards and provide prayerful, practical, and career-enhancing support. Think of IICS as a guild of Christian professors worldwide served by journeymen (staff women and men) who are dedicated to the success and spiritual/emotional/physical well-being of its guild members. This team stands ready with experience, resources, and advice to help each professor do her or his job with a minimum of nagging distractions. Top of page
- What is the IICS advantage in helping professors find placements internationally? First, IICS has a history of helping with placements in a number of countries and has teaching fellows in nearly every region in the world. This means our network is at your disposal to advise, guide, and warn. We can guide as to best practices for finding a position, evaluate possible opportunities with a second set of eyes, and point out the benefits or pitfalls in a university offer. Second, we have fellows in nearly every field, who are available to share their experience and wisdom. Top of page
- What does IICS offer to help me be better prepared to teach internationally? IICS offers human and scholarly resources to help you prepare to teach overseas. As you prepare for departure the IICS staff prays for you and helps with details that are important to your success. IICS has recommendations for spiritual and integrative preparation, and a bibliography of resources that are being updated continually. As a learning organization, our professors and journeymen, are constantly adding to our knowledge about what is going on in a variety of academic cultures. The capstone of our current knowledge is our annual Orientation for new faculty we conduct each summer in Kansas City, Missouri (USA). Top of page
- As a Christian professor I want to be a light for Christ, but I also value fellowship. How does IICS help me from becoming spiritually isolated while teaching internationally? Help begins as early as your participation in the IICS application process. Teaching with IICS internationally is more than a job due to your many fine strengths. In the application process we also find your weaknesses (everyone has them) and make recommendations about ways to utilize your strengths and improve upon your weaknesses in a location where you have the best chance to succeed. Our staff and professors are committed to your success and provide valuable prayer support. Regional teams, where such exist, provide accountability. IICS maintains relationships with trusted missions groups that are planting and maintaining local churches near where you will be teaching, thus meeting the need for corporate worship and fellowship with a cross-section of ages and levels of maturity. In addition, IICS provides ongoing spiritual help through the encouragement of pastoral staff who contact you regularly and visit you in the field. Top of page
- Can IICS help make me a better professor and enhance my academic career? IICS believes that university teaching is a high and holy calling. We believe God has called our professors to serve as the best teachers and colleagues that they can be. Our staff is committed to relieving our professors from anything (whether good things or not-so-good things) that would distract them from being excellent at what they do best—professoring. Belief in the professorial calling is foundational to personal and career growth. We want you to take time to do the research and publication necessary to be a better teacher and more valuable asset to your institution and discipline. In addition, our training and support provides excellent resources in pedagogy and integration of faith and learning. Lastly, the presence of other IICS Fellows within your field can, with the help of modern technology, provide assistance in your professional development. Top of page
- Once I become a teaching fellow, does IICS require me to do anything in an ongoing way? IICS wants to make sure our fellows are free to pursue their calling with excellence and with a minimum of bureaucratic interference. We don’t require endless reports and frequent forms. All we ask for is a bi-annual renewal of the contract that is initially signed when you are Appointed, and the completion of an Annual report at the conclusion of each academic year. We also ask that fellows attend the annual professors’ conference every other year, at which fellows may be asked to make a verbal report about their teaching assignment. Top of page
- What is the annual report that professors are asked to complete, and why is completing it an advantage of serving with IICS?Every IICS teaching fellow is to submit an Annual Report to the international office that consists of stories and significant spiritual and professional events that occurred during the academic year, as well as needs and frustrations faced. IICS Leadership carefully reads these reports, which are cause for sharing in your joys and helping overcome obstacles. We also believe it is a tremendous advantage to review accomplishments and obstacles with fellows in order to better understand what it is like to teach internationally as a committed Christian professor and thereby know how to serve IICS fellows better. Top of page
