The field of international education involves a variety of activities related to educating and training people around the world, including developing curricula for primary schools, creating universities in newly democratized countries, administering exchange programs for professionals to go overseas and many other similar ventures.

In general, the field takes two tracks: administrative and technical assistance. Administrators set the direction of a project, supervise staff, and create and manage the budget. Technical specialists are responsible for the actual nuts and bolts of the project—developing curricula, conducting workshops, revising textbooks and training teachers.

“Both tracks are equally interesting with many opportunities for growth,” says Sonya Anderson, a doctoral candidate at Harvard University’s International Education program. “It just depends on where your personal interest and training lie.”

The specialties may seem endless. For starters, you could choose from girls’ education, education reform, education planning and management, evaluation, management information systems, human rights education, exchange and training programs, literacy, community participation, curriculum and textbook development, and distance learning, among others.

Trends in the Field

“Girls’ education continues to be a trend in the field of international education, particularly because girls’ education is connected to promoting sustainable national development,” Anderson says. In the early ‘90s, the emphasis was on increasing access to schooling for girls and young women. Today, the focus has shifted to improving the quality of girls’ experiences once in school in order to increase their retention and completion rates.

Another movement reflects increasing community involvement and participation in educational development. Governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly reaching out to local leaders, teachers and parents when planning and making decisions about education in their communities. Educators believe this will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of education policies, since local people understand their own communities best.

Breaking into the Field

To get into international education, some experience in teaching is helpful. However, that background can take a variety of forms—either domestic or international. Some experience in developing countries, through the Peace Corps or a similar program, is important, and knowledge of a second language is always helpful.

Anderson emphasizes the importance of “having an open and flexible mind, love of travel and new cultures, the willingness to be challenged, and the ability to work with a variety of people, from local leaders and teachers to administrators and senior-level policy makers.”

A career in international education can be rewarding and provide opportunities for extensive travel to unique places around the globe. Anderson has enjoyed “meeting interesting people who are doing amazing work to improve the quality of education all over the world, along with getting tons of frequent-flyer miles.”

What are the cons? That same exciting travel can be exhausting. And if the traveling becomes frequent, time for personal relationships and family may be limited. Additionally, Anderson notes, women working in frequently male-dominated societies can face challenges.

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This article originally appeared on Monster.com.