What inspired you to begin your own teaching abroad experience?
I was a business and international relations student at USC and I didn’t study abroad. When graduation approached, I was unsure of what my next chapter was in life and it felt like something was missing.
A friend and classmate mentioned her plan to teach abroad in Thailand and I loved the idea. We actually had planned to go together initially, but I decided to postpone my trip to pursue a job that I felt was right at the time. We kept in touch, speaking several times a week, and it was clear she was having an absolute blast. When asked whether she recommended I go to Thailand, her answer was always a resounding “yes!” Heather’s story really was a deciding factor for me.
How did this lead you to founding Journey to Teach Abroad?
My experience teaching abroad was transformative––traveling a beautiful country, meeting and truly connecting with amazing people, and teaching valuable English skills to children who need it. It was bliss. I took my newfound passion for teaching abroad to the next level when I became a trainer for a TEFL certification course. I loved it. Watching anxious trainees transform into confident teachers in just one week left a lasting impact. After I returned to Los Angeles, I felt so passionate about helping others discover what I experienced, that I started Journey to Teach Abroad. After some research, I learned there wasn’t a simplified process for teaching abroad that came anywhere close to my vision.
Overlooking the beauty of Ang Thong National Park in Thailand
In what ways do you continue to impact Journey to Teach Abroad participants?
I characterize myself as a teacher, leader, and now an entrepreneur. Throughout these experiences, I have learned genuineness drives success. And so does being present for the trainees, treating them with empathy, and doing whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable and excited for their journey ahead. I’m devoted to this job and I’m looking forward to the future.
What makes Journey to Teach Abroad (J2) unique?
We pride ourselves on being unique––there is no other course out there like ours! We are an interactive one-week in-person course in Los Angeles geared towards post-graduates. We guarantee employment. The entire curriculum is based on simulating what life is truly like in the classroom, such as learning concepts and utilizing them in class activities. The course is culture-specific to the land of smiles: Thailand. We integrate its culture in all lessons––including a focus on adjusting to life in Thailand. And lastly, we place you in a job that you essentially design for yourself. You can request and receive your teaching preferences (i.e. age, level, and location).
Enjoying noodle soup with my 6th graders
Why is it essential for future teachers to become certified before their experiences abroad?
Teaching abroad is about enjoyment, having fun, and embracing life. I believe that nothing about this experience should be scary. I never want anyone to feel uneasy about teaching in the classroom and living abroad. A TEFL certification––J2 in particular––provides the preparation and confidence to take advantage of the full package: teaching, living, and exploring.
What are the biggest takeaways you hope participants walk away with from J2?
From the J2 course itself, trainees will watch themselves improve in very little time. They will develop confidence for life in the classroom, abroad, and beyond. And the time abroad will be a life changing experience that they’ll remember and cherish forever.
My hope is that it will teach them the world is theirs––the idea that they can accomplish anything anywhere in the world.
Smiling in my hometown near Los Angeles
Why is Thailand an ideal location for teaching abroad?
Thailand holds such a special place in my heart. I truly believe Thailand is the best place to teach English––and not just because it is so cheap! First of all, Thailand is universally recognized as the Land of Smiles. The country’s culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism, its religion. Not only are people kind and approachable, they genuinely want to practice their English. Secondly, Thailand has a large community of foreign teachers. It is nice knowing you’re not alone and that you have a community to share your experience with.
Thailand is aesthetically stunning. The country has every type of terrain––mountains, beaches, metropolitan cities, small towns, and the countryside. The country is easily accessible and the accessibility even extends to neighboring countries, like Vietnam and Cambodia. Lastly, Thailand is the best starting point for teaching abroad. While teaching in Thailand is not a career, it is an exciting experience that isn’t stressful. When you compare it to other countries like China and Japan, where it tends to be more serious, I consider the teaching job in Thailand to be casual. All in all, Thailand has the makings of an incredible country for teaching English.
What makes teaching abroad a good tool for meaningful travel?
Meaningful travel is characterized differently by everyone. For me, traveling isn’t about hitting the tourist destinations and saying you’ve conquered a city in three days. Traveling is about immersion––entirely within a culture and embracing the rawness of your surroundings. The best way to do that is to dive into it (with a little help from J2:) ). Teaching abroad provides this, and so much more.
Making true connections with international and local friends
Why is it important to travel and experience new cultures?
I actually think travel and cultural immersion should be mandatory (if only that was possible!). Cultural immersion is so enlightening and the value derived from it will benefit yourself and others, too.
Interestingly, like many religions, the Buddhist tradition tells us that generosity is at the forefront of our purpose here. In order to commit ourselves to others, the first step is to explore and embrace ourselves, and immersing yourself in new cultures inherently gives you a better understanding of yourself. While abroad, you find yourself in situations that teach you to expect the unexpected and to embrace uncertainty. As for me, after my time teaching abroad, I am comfortable moving into the inevitable ups and downs of life with more ease than ever before, because I have this unforgettable experience to look back on.
Are there any new projects or developments you are working on at J2 that we can expect to see in the future?
Yes! At the moment, our 2019 courses are culture-specific to Thailand. In the near future, we plan on expanding domestically to other U.S. cities and rolling out culture-specific courses to more countries that trainees will be guaranteed teaching jobs at.
What I haven’t told many people is our plan to add courses focused on teaching English to hospital employees and corporations of different sizes. These courses will also be country-specific and will guarantee job placements abroad.