What inspired you to go abroad?
I always had a dream of working and living abroad. Throughout my 20’s this was always my goal, but I always found a reason not to. Shortly after I turned 30, I stopped making excuses and took the steps necessary to make this dream a reality.
China living
Why did you choose SEE TEFL?
First and foremost, the location. I had been to Chiang Mai on vacation a few years prior and fell in love with it. When I heard there was an exceptional TEFL course in the city at SEE TEFL, it became a pretty easy decision as to where I would get my certification.
What is your favorite part about Thailand?
I just love Thailand in general; everything from the culture to the laid back attitude. Chiang Mai is the epitome of everything I love about Thailand.
What made your experience abroad unique?
Mai pen rai! The Thai culture is so easy to fall in love with. The country is made up of very happy, laid back people. The land of 1000 smiles certainly lives up to its name. I felt so welcomed.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
They helped me with finding a place to stay for the duration of my course. They aided me in extending my visa when I needed it. They also have a plethora of local contacts for assisting you in finding a job.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish I would’ve stayed in Thailand to find work. I quickly found a job (with the help of SEE TEFL) in China. Though I love my job and do enjoy China, I greatly miss being in Thailand.
Class trip to Doi Inthanon
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
For the first two weeks we split time between lectures/tutorials on teaching methodology and in class teaching practice with feedback from one of our several instructors and fellow classmates. The second two weeks was filled with six teaching practices in real Thai classrooms. We spent most of our time lesson planning and creating the materials needed for each lesson. We were closely monitored by the instructors there who were always available to answer questions and give us constructive feedback on our lessons.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
Traveling in and around Chiang Mai to see the sights. I made several friends at SEE TEFL and spent most of my free time with them.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
I stayed at a nice hotel that was perfectly placed in between the school and the Old City of Chiang Mai, so I was within walking distance of pretty much everything. There also was a great pool there as well.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
It’s an intensive program. You’re going to be very busy, especially the last two weeks, but if you work hard and embrace the constructive feedback and the teaching methodology, you’re really going to be ready to walk into a classroom and teach right away.
Beautiful Sydney, AUS
How has your time abroad with SEE TEFL impacted your life?
I’m still abroad, and do not plan on going back home any time soon.
Would you recommend SEE TEFL’s certification program in Chiang Mai to others? Why?
Yes! The location, the staff, the course itself, and the brand new building it’s in. It’s really hard for me to find a negative about it. The only thing I’d say is to be ready to work hard. You get out of it what you put in. If you think you’re going to be able to coast through this course, it might not be the place for you.
If you want a place that’s going to set you up for success in teaching English abroad, you’ve found the right place.
What was the hardest part about getting TEFL certified abroad?
The hardest part was leaving my old life behind. This lifestyle isn’t for everybody. You lose touch with friends and loved ones very quickly, but you also find that everyone who really cares about you is always going to be there to support you, even from across the globe.
Teaching in China
You’re now living and teaching in China. What has surprised you most about life in China?
How modern and built up it is. Outside of Beijing and Shanghai, I really didn’t know what to expect from the other cities here. I ended up in a city of 6,000,000 I had never heard of and it’s every bit as built up and modern as most major American cities, if not more so.
If you could teach abroad anywhere, where would you teach?
Ultimately my heart will always be in Thailand. The laid back lifestyle, just can’t be beat. Unfortunately, financially it’s hard to sustain. If I was still in my twenties, I’d gladly be making just enough money to get by in that amazing place. But as I get older, a need to start saving money, and no place it better for that then China.
