What inspired you to go abroad?
An old colleague of mine moved to Bangkok to teach English and recommended it. He was having a great time, the job was much less stressful than what we were doing in the US, and he was still saving while traveling to these awesome beaches. I finished my TEFL Hero 120-Hour Online TEFL Course in July 2024 and then moved to Bangkok at the beginning of the year.
Why did you choose your specific organization?
I work for the same school as my friend. He recommended the school and said they were really supportive. They helped me find an apartment in Bangkok that was close to the school and fit my budget. They also helped provide me with my visa and other things that I hadn't done before, such as applying for a work permit and local health insurance.
What was your favorite part of your host country?
I still live in Thailand, and my favorite part is traveling. We get a lot of holidays as teachers - the ones during the school year are paid, but the summer holiday is unpaid - so I found a summer school program that I could work at during the summer to help make ends meet. Thailand has so many great places to visit - like the mountains up north and the amazing beaches and islands. I live in paradise.
Beach in Phuket
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
I think it's extraordinary that I was able to go from working in sales to teaching English within a year! I didn't know this option existed until I had seen my friend do it - and I don't think I will ever go back to working in sales. I may not stay in teaching forever, but this was a really good launch pad to living in a new country and all the opportunities that exist outside of my bubble.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The HR at my school was super awesome. They collected all my paperwork and helped me apply for my visa as well as my work permit. This was my first time traveling outside of the country, so I was really nervous about the whole process. I've read about stories of schools or shady companies not providing the proper paperwork to live and work in Thailand legally, so I'm so grateful that I work for a reputable school.
What's one thing you wish you had done differently during your time abroad?
I would have saved a bit more money if I had known I would make this move so soon. I had some money saved, but not as much as I would have liked to cover all the moving costs. I ended up borrowing money from a family member to help cover the deposit for my apartment (but I've paid them back). There were a few other sneaky start-up costs that I hadn't anticipated, such as furnishing my apartment and a scooter.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I get to my school at 7:30 AM. It's a 15-minute scooter ride from my home. Depending on the day, I teach either two or 340-minute classes in the morning and then the same thing in the afternoon. I teach students oral English from grades 1-3. When I'm not teaching, I am prepping for my classes. At 4 o'clock, I pack up and leave work. Then I go to the gym and grab dinner with my friends or order takeout.
First time seeing the islands!
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
I love how so many people who move to Thailand all want to hang out and do things together. People always seemed so busy with work back at home, and nobody would want to go out and grab a drink after work or go somewhere fun on the weekends. I meet with my friends like 2 or 3 times a week, and we go out to get food and drinks - and none of it breaks the bank.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I have a one-bedroom apartment in a high-rise building just outside of the city. My school is in the suburbs, so I don't pay as much as if I were living in the middle of Bangkok. The apartment is brand new and has new amenities and a balcony with a cool view from the 19th floor. Before moving abroad, I had roommates, so it's awesome to have a place to myself.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Since I've heard some horror stories from other teachers who were placed at shady schools, I would definitely double-check the school or program you are going to teach for. Make sure they are giving you the proper work visa that you require to teach and live in Thailand legally. I'd also advise against paying money to a school for any of the visa paperwork.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
Absolutely. I love my school. I have recommended an opening to my friend, since the school only has 2 English teachers at a time. Oftentimes, good jobs like this are by word of mouth. Once you move to Thailand for a job, you can always meet people and network until you find a job that is a better fit for what you need.
Can't beat this food!
What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
I think it's good to experience other cultures and perspectives and to become more well-rounded. Since moving abroad, I have friends from 5 different countries, and when we all hang out, it's cool to see everyone's differences. Like how we all grew up, what we all believe, and what our goals and dreams are.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I am not living back at home, but I have visited my home once since moving to Thailand. It's cool to share my travels and adventures with my friends and family back home. They are now more interested in traveling and want to come visit me. When I first moved, my family was concerned about my safety and health, but now they see that life can be great in other places, too.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means being present where you are visiting and open to learn from others and from where you are visiting. I try to learn a bit of the local language when I visit a new place and see important landmarks. I do my best to be a respectful traveler and to leave a place better than I've found it.
