What inspired you to travel abroad?
I have had dreams of traveling since I was a child! One motivation I had in becoming a teacher in the first place was that I knew there were many opportunities for getting teaching jobs abroad.
I have always been interested in seeing what it is like to live in another country and become immersed in a culture very different from my own. After two years of living and teaching in a rural town in Wyoming, I craved novelty and adventure.
I wanted to get totally out of my comfort zone and see what I could gain from experience.
Why did you choose TravelGrad?
A major reason was all the positive reviews I read on different sites. I was nervous at the prospect of teaching abroad, and picking a company I could rely on gave me a lot of confidence.
It was clear from my first phone conversation with Andrew that he would be helpful and supportive throughout my journey! I also liked that there was a group of teachers going, and we’d meet prior to teaching at the orientation.
It helped me and my parents feel a lot more confident knowing that I would not be alone in this experience.
Red Lotus Lake in Udon Thani, Thailand
What was your favorite part about Thailand?
It's hard to choose one thing! I have always been a big foodie, and trying new foods is one of my favorite things to do. Thailand has proved to be a foodie heaven!
It is so affordable most Thai people eat out every night because it is often cheaper than cooking food at home. The ability to afford to eat out at restaurants every night has been a major treat!
I have had some of the best food I've ever tasted here, and it typically costs less than $4. I will miss the Thai food when I leave!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Getting to experience all of the festivals, parades, and celebrations made my time here extraordinary.
In just a single semester, I got to see the celebrations for Loy Kratong, Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, and others.
Thai people know how to celebrate! At school, there would be performances and programs for each event that were incredible. I felt so privileged to be able to experience all the amazing celebrations here.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The Media Kids employees helped us through all the important parts of living abroad, such as getting a bank account, renting an apartment, renewing our visas, and getting our work permits.
It was such a relief to have them help us through that process because I can't imagine how stressful it would have been without them.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish that I would have learned more Thai than I did. I learned enough basic interactions, but I think it would have been more respectful and responsible of me to try to learn more of the language.
I will admit that Thai stumped me more than any language I have learned, but I could have used more of my free time between lessons to dedicate myself to it.
The Loy Krathong Festival
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Typically, I went to school around 7:50.
Twice a week, I would go to assembly, where the school would gather for the national anthem, Buddhist prayers, and school announcements.
Depending on the day, I would have anywhere from 2-5 classes, and on my off hours, I worked in the Foreign Language office on grading, making lessons, etc.
Every day, I had at least an hour (usually two) to get lunch and relax.
I sometimes went off campus to get lunch or coffee, but I would often eat lunch at the canteen where the students eat. The canteen had about 40 vendors who were all selling delicious food for roughly $1 or less!
After school, I would have dinner with the other English teachers at a restaurant and relax for the rest of the night or grab dessert.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I was amazed by the sheer amount of cafes and coffee shops around the city. One of my favorite things to do was checking out new cafes and reading or journaling.
There was so much care and love put into each of these cafes, and I loved finding the little hidden gems around the city.
On the weekends, I would sometimes go on trips to a nearby city. It was very easy and convenient to get on a bus here and travel to a different place, so I took advantage of that.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I was placed in a studio apartment, about a ten-minute walk from school.
The room came with a bed, desk, wardrobe, and refrigerator.
I enjoyed that my room was right next to my fellow English teacher's room. We became great friends in our time here, so it was nice to be living next to each other.
I also enjoyed the location. There were a bunch of great restaurants and cafes within a short walking distance.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Participants should know that it is normal to feel nervous, excited, and overwhelmed all at the same time. It is a big deal to move to another country and start a job there!
There is a certain level of confusion one should expect when starting work at a Thai school. For example, I had about 700 students total because I only taught each class once a week.
I was quite confused about how I would keep track of all their grades and keep the classes straight.
If you can accept a little bit of chaos and just go with the flow, you will eventually get the hang of things. Pretty soon, you will feel right at home!
The Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi, Thailand
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
I would definitely recommend Travel Grad to other people. Andrew helps make the experience stress-free, and the cost of the program is comparatively low.
From all the research I did, I believe Travel Grad is the way to go if you want to teach in Asia. I felt supported in the process, and it was so nice to know that Andrew was just a WhatsApp message away if I needed help.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I think the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is expanding your worldview. As someone who grew up in a small town in the Midwest where there is little diversity, I know how easy it is to get caught up in your "bubble."
I think it is so important to recognize and appreciate the vast number of cultures across the world and just how big this world truly is. I think if more people could come to appreciate different ways of life, the world would be a much better place!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has made me think differently about my life in America. I came to appreciate many aspects of Thai culture, one major one being the laid-back, "mai pen rai" way of life.
I came to realize that often situations in life are not as stressful as we make them out to be in America, and I learned how to approach life with a more calm and relaxed mindset.
I appreciate how there is an emphasis in Thai culture on having fun and enjoying life, as evidenced by the many celebrations and festivals. Taking on this mindset has helped me to better deal with the anxieties of daily life.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel goes far beyond just visiting a place for the perfect pictures. It is observing your surroundings and appreciating the unique aspects of the culture and the place you are visiting.
I believe a large part of meaningful travel is being respectful and showing kindness and gratitude for the people you meet on your journey.
If you only stick to the most touristy places and do not attempt to interact with the people living in the country you are visiting, then I believe you are missing out on a major part of meaningful travel.
