With the globalization and internationalization of education, many teachers from Asian countries pursue their professional development in English-speaking settings. However, there seems to be scarce research on these teachers' expectations, lived experiences and identities in these contexts, and how their personal experiences influence their views and teaching when they return to their home countries. Using interviews and email correspondences, the current article examines the perceptions and personal experiences of three teachers of English (from Vietnam, China and Taiwan) who studied in Australia. Among others, findings suggest that the participants negotiated their expectations, lived experiences and sense of identity in different ways regardless of the degree to which their experiences in Australia matched their expectations. As teachers of English, they were constantly reflecting on the suitability of applying the teaching methods learned in their local teaching contexts. When they returned to their home countries, all of them found it useful to share their personal experiences of living and studying abroad with their students. Their strategic and practical application of what they had learned and/or experienced in Australia assisted them in having new options in dealing with teaching and learning issues in their home countries. This article hopes to shed light on aspects that may influence the growth of teachers of English.