What inspired you to travel abroad?
I love to travel and immerse myself in different cultures, so the opportunity to work abroad really appealed to me.
The allure of Hanoi's rich history and diverse traditions captivated my curiosity. The prospect of living in a city where ancient temples coexist with modern urban landscapes ignited a sense of adventure in me.
Along with the thought of navigating the bustling streets, sampling local delicacies, and engaging with the warm and friendly Vietnamese community was amazing.
Why did you choose TravelGrad?
TravelGrad has almost a decade of experience with helping people to find work abroad. From speaking with Andrew, you can tell right away that the company is genuine and has your best interests at heart.
TravelGrad listens to what their applicants want out of the experience to ensure that the opportunity they choose is right for them.
Nha Trang on the coast in Southern Vietnam.
What was your favorite part about Hanoi?
I enjoyed Hanoi because it is a fast-paced city with a lot of energy, both modern facilities and historic parts.
The Vietnamese people are extremely friendly and welcoming to foreigners. They are understanding when you do not know the language and will try to help you at every opportunity.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Vietnam has many distinct locations in the country which are all easy to travel to. I took trips to Halong Bay and Nha Trang while in Vietnam and really enjoyed the experience.
Also, TravelGrad continually checked in with me while I was in Vietnam to make sure everything was going well, which was really reassuring.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Local staff were friendly and accommodating and made sure we were made to feel welcome when we arrived.
There were regular work events where meals and drinks were provided. I was also supported in the classroom by a Vietnamese TA at all times, and the TAs were always pleasant and helpful, making the work experience great.
A side street in Hanoi–Vietnam’s capital.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish that I would have explored more places while I was in Vietnam. I went to two different cities while I was there, but there was still so much left to see.
If I had more time there or if I were to visit again, I would have loads of new places to explore, such as the capital, HCM city, Da Nang, and Sapa.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I would get up around 7 am for work and do around 3 hours of work in the morning before the long lunch break.
After our two and a half hours at lunch, we would work for another 3 hours until the end of the work day.
After work, I had plenty of free time to go out to eat or go for coffee. There are so many places to spend your free time in Hanoi.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
In my free time, I liked going to coffee shops. Vietnam has a big coffee culture, and on every street, there are loads of coffee shops–you never have to walk far.
Hanoi has some great food spots, and I especially enjoyed some of the local food, like Pho and Bun Cha. Many places provide international cuisine.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I privately rented an apartment while in Hanoi. The quality of the apartment was excellent, and it came with a weekly cleaning service.
You can rent luxury apartments for a fraction of the price you would pay in the UK there, and they will often come with additional services like linen changing and cleaning services.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
I would say to anyone who is going to start on the programme that they should come to Hanoi with an open mind and accept that things work a little differently here than back home.
Things in Hanoi can change in a heartbeat, and you have to be capable of adapting to this. I would also say to travel as much as possible while there.
A Nha Trang beach view from the water.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
I would recommend this programme to anyone who is interested in traveling and who is open to experiencing a different way of life.
I would also suggest that anyone thinking of going to Vietnam should go with TravelGrad as they provide first-class support before, during, and after your time in Vietnam.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I would say that the biggest benefit is getting to see a different way of life which is so different from our own.
When you travel, you will also meet some amazing people who you may not have necessarily met had you not chosen to take the trip. Travelling also gets you out of your comfort zone and will make you a stronger person.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I would say that my time abroad has made me a more well-rounded individual. After having taught up to sixty students at a time it really improved my public speaking.
I think this experience has also made me more adaptable and resilient as I have experienced the fast-paced Vietnamese work culture.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Travel, to me, is about immersing yourself in another culture and embracing its traditions and cuisine.
I think that everyone should also try to learn a bit of the local language as well, just as a gesture of goodwill. Making the effort, like learning a bit of language or customs, the locals seem to appreciate the effort.
