Why did you choose to get your TESOL certification abroad?
I have never been a strong supporter of distance or online learning. I much prefer to be in a physical classroom setting, surrounded by individuals with similar tasks and goals. I also find that having the instructor there as a constant resource is invaluable. As a single female traveler, I also feel much safer arriving in a new and strange place if there is a structured program and support system there to help me familiarize myself with the culture and geography.
Why did you choose the American TESOL Institute?
This particular program had many attractive features, including a guaranteed paid teaching position after the TESOL certification course, with accommodation included, and it was budget friendly.
Why did you choose Thailand?
Cost was a big factor. I looked at going to Europe, and most of the programs were simply too expensive. I also considered heading to South America, but there seemed to be a lack of programs that offered paid positions, as most were volunteer based. Thailand seemed like a cheap, yet gorgeous place to live, and the program guaranteed a paid job placement after certification. Additionally, I had already been training in Muay Thai kickboxing for two years, and I just could not pass up the opportunity to train with native Thais. Lastly, I absolutely love spicy Thai food, and as a self-professed foodie, I knew the cuisine would go beyond my wildest expectations!
What was your favorite part about living in Thailand?
The TESOL certification course was located in Phuket, Thailand. It is such a gorgeous country, and that particular island has some of the most beautiful views Thailand has to offer. I would have to say that my absolute favorite part about the location was the people. Thai people are so warm and welcoming, and Thai culture is very peaceful. It's an easygoing, relaxed way of living that I fell in love with.
What were your housing arrangements like?
During the TESOL certification course, we stayed in a wonderful hotel right on the beach in southern Phuket. Each student was assigned a roommate, and I’m thankful to say that mine was super cool and we are still friends to this day! Everything was clean, and it was easy to get around during free time.
When I got my job placement, two other girls from my program were assigned to the same school in AngThong, and the three of us lived together in a cute little house with Western style amenities. The house had a kitchen, living room, a yard surrounded by banana trees, and each of us had our own room with air-conditioning. The best part was that the cost of this accommodation was included in the program fee!
Describe a day in the life of your TESOL program.
The TESOL training in Phuket was divided into two sessions, morning and afternoon. We discussed many pedagogical subjects and methodologies for teaching English. The third week was great hands-on experience, as each teacher had to go into a local school and teach a class. I remember being very nervous for that.
Outside of class, we often had to spend some time lesson planning, creating and engaging with the materials. During our free time, we could explore the islands, hang out at the beach, and I enrolled in some Muay Thai kickboxing lessons.
What was your favorite thing to do on your freetime?
Muay Thai kickboxing training was something I focused on during my time there. I also absolutely loved taking Thai cooking courses, and made sure to get my fill of affordable foot massages!
What makes American TESOL’s program unique?
I think the amenities that it offered made it stand out from the rest of the programs. The guaranteed, paid position after certification, the accommodation, and the cost for everything included was something I just couldn't pass up. I also appreciated the quality of the instructors, they were always helpful and available.
What was the most memorable experience you had while abroad?
Besides my adorable students, there are so many! Zip lining in the ancient forests outside Chiang Mai, hiking waterfalls in beautiful Kanjanaburi, sea-kayaking off the coast of Koh Samui, and motorbiking around the amazing island of Koh Chang! Even with all these incredible adventures, I think the most memorable thing about Thailand is the genuine kindness of the people. It is truly the “land of smiles.”
What was the biggest challenge you faced while in Thailand?
For me, Thai culture was rather contradictory and disorganized, and it was difficult for me to adjust to that. I became very tired of scams and being charged more for looking like a tourist. I would also have to say that throughout all my travels, it simply never gets easier to come face to face with true poverty. Begging is extremely common, and seeing small children begging in dirty clothes and intense heat was always hard on my heart and my wallet.
Is there anything you wish you would have done differently?
As far as my TESOL program with ATI, I don't think there's anything I would have done differently. Teaching for a local high school definitely had its challenges, and sometimes I felt like I wasn't living up to my own expectations for myself as a teacher. My expectations of both myself and my students changed dramatically from class to class, or even student to student.
I wish I would have been more familiar with the challenges of teaching in a small village community, such as lack of quality materials, varied student age and ability, and the language barrier. I definitely wish I would have created more opportunities for myself to learn some of the Thai language as well, although it's not really necessary to teach there.
How supportive was local staff during your program?
The ATI staff was amazing, always willing to listen to your needs and preferences and work with you to make your experience what you wanted. Once I was placed in a Thai high school, there were definitely some communication issues with the local Thai teachers/administrators, but the problems were minimal and everything always got sorted out in the end.
What advice would you give to others interested in completing their TESOL certification in Thailand?
In this particular program, you do not have control over the location of your job placement. For those who are considering it, there are also several other ways to find a job in Thailand. Demand for English teachers here is very high, and sometimes positions do not even require a degree or a certification, although people with them tend to get higher paying jobs. My advice would be to do your research and prioritize your goals before deciding which program is right for you.
What are the top reasons you'd want to go back to Thailand again?
The people, the incredible landscapes, the amazing food, and the inexpensive massages!
How has earning your teaching certificate and teaching English abroad impacted your life?
There is probably not a day that goes by that I don't think about what's happening on the other side of the world. Before teaching abroad, I felt intimidated and scared about traveling alone in Southeast Asia. Now that I am familiar with the region, I'm not only completely comfortable with how to get along, I am excited to get back there again and explore the amazing landscapes and cultures it has to offer. I am obsessed with traveling abroad, and am always looking for ways to get involved with the travel abroad community in my hometown, by writing travel articles and recruiting host families for international high school exchange students.
Did you experience reverse culture shock when you came back to the U.S.?
Absolutely. After spending so much time abroad, coming back to America was like entering a foreign country yet again. Every time I travel, I come home to find that I see my country and our way of life in a whole new light. The bathrooms here are so clean, the amount of open space is unbelievable, and the poverty is much less visible at home in Colorado. Traveling abroad makes me appreciate things that I used to take for granted, such as efficient administration and a trustworthy police force.