Alumni Interview with Emily Warren

What inspired you to travel abroad?

I was working a 9-5 corporate job and just not feeling totally fulfilled in my life. I was making great money, had all the nice things I wanted, but felt like there was so much more out there for me. I internally knew that I needed to take a risk and decided to quit my job, give away all my furniture, sell my car, buy a backpack and start travelling. I went to New Zealand on a working holiday visa and had very little money when I got there. I joined the WWOOF (willing workers on organic farms) community and things took off from there. I was able to travel all over the country trying new things and meeting the most amazing people. Those memories will stay with me forever!

Why did you choose TEFLPros?

I had read amazing reviews about TEFLPros online and intuitively it just felt right for me. I contacted Joc and she was so quick to respond to any questions I had (and I had a lot!). She was so friendly and helpful, and the fact that she herself had taught abroad made me feel at ease. I just knew that this was going to be a great fit for what I wanted to experience. At the time that I heard about the program I was living up in Cambridge Bay Nunavut so there was a very quick turnaround from when I got home, completed my TEFL and left for Thailand. Joc was there for me all through the process which was amazing!

What was your favorite part about Thailand?

I was living in a very small town two hours North of Bangkok and the people there were SO friendly. I was always greeted with a smile or a wave, and if I ever needed anything people always tried to help me (even when there was a language barrier). I loved experiencing new foods and my host family often took me to different temples and explained different cultural practices to me. One day a friend of my host family picked me up (I had no clue where we were going) and I ended up at a Thai wedding! No one there spoke English but everyone had huge smiles on their faces and were showering me with food and delicious treats. It was such a cool experience to be part of a traditional Thai wedding!

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

The personal growth I experienced was phenomenal! I found myself really stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things that I would have NEVER done at home. I allowed myself to be vulnerable and embrace whatever was presented to me. I spent three days at a temple for a meditation experience where there were over 300 people. We slept on the wood floor, and hardly anyone spoke English. I also learned to ride a scooter which is something I had been scared of trying in the past. I ended up loving it so much I rented my own scooter to use as my personal transportation to and from school. One of my favorite memories was taking ice cream to a local elementary school at Christmas time and giving it to all of the kids. The smiles on their faces were absolutely beautiful!

Did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

Yes!! The Thai teachers that I worked with were always helpful to me and made sure I had all the things I needed. Even the school principal was always checking on me and seeing how I was doing. The local family that I was staying with were fantastic! They went above and beyond to make sure I was safe and taken care of. They included me in many different local activities and events that they were going to. If I ever had questions I could contact the Thai English teacher I worked with and she would help me immediately. I never felt alone even though I was traveling on my own. That's one of the greatest things about travel.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

If I was to do it again I would have worked a bit harder to learn the language. I learned enough to get by, and also had my google translate app, but I think you are able to connect on a deeper level if you can speak the native language. I would have been able to communicate a lot more with the people in the town where I was living and do more things on my own. I also would have volunteered longer at the dog pound I was at in Phuket. I went there on my way back to Canada and wished I would have had more time there.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

I would wake up and have coffee on my porch that overlooked the rice fields. I would then get ready for work and drive my scooter to the school. I usually taught between two to four classes a day so if I had a break in between I would either help any students that needed extra assistance or I would go home for a short break. After I was done with school for the day I would sometimes take a ride to a local market to buy some delicious food or a local temple that was near where I lived to watch all the monkeys! I would often eat dinner with my Thai family (my host was an AMAZING cook) and then spend my evenings catching up with people from home and preparing my lessons for the next day. The days always FLEW by!

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I loved to visit local markets and explore the area I lived in by walking or by scootering. Sometimes I would take a bus to Bangkok and meet up with some friends I had made and we would go to various events around the city. The travel community is great because you connect with tons of like-minded people that are all wanting to do the same thing, have fun experiences! I found it super easy to make friends and still remain friends with many of those people today. I also would recommend renting a bike as a means of exploring, as it's great exercise and allows you to see different parts of your area in a fun way.

What type of accommodation did you have? 

I was renting a room at a Thai family’s house, but I had my own bathroom and kitchen. (It was separate from their home). I had a huge porch that overlooked the rice fields and had the BEST sunsets! My room had a/c and a comfy bed. I loved that I always felt safe. My accommodation was clean and bright. I woke up to the sounds of local birds which was always a treat! I think feeling safe and secure was the most important factor for me as a traveler living abroad and I loved having the Thai family right beside me.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

“Make sure you have a confirmed start and end date, and that you are aware of everything related to your visa”.

Depending on where you are working and where you are from there will always be different rules and regulations. Just do your research and ask ALL the questions. It's better to be more prepared than not. Make sure your cell phone is unlocked internationally so you are able to get a sim card for that country. When you are flying into the country you are going to make sure to have all the information of your program and where you will be staying written somewhere. We tend to rely on our electronics that sometimes won't work and you will need that information readily available upon arrival.

Would you recommend TEFLPros to others? Why?

Yes!! Joc and Whitney from TEFLPros were out-of-this-world, amazing! They were always so quick to respond to any questions/issues I had and super kind and patient with me. When I was completing my online TEFL course they were always so encouraging and helpful. Joc even met up with me on my first day in Bangkok and gave me a ton of great tips and advice on living in Thailand. I had looked into taking a TEFL course many times prior but always was so overwhelmed with how many different companies there were and how to choose the best one. I am so happy that I took it with TEFLPros and it is an accomplishment that I am very proud of.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?

Travelling abroad is such a fantastic way to grow as a person. You will step out of your comfort zone all the time and really have to learn to connect with yourself. You meet so many amazing people that you will share epic experiences with and friends you will have for life! I am not the person I was before I started travelling. It has given me so much confidence in myself and really made me see what is truly important in life. I see the world in a completely different way and I have such a respect for all the different ways people live.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

My time abroad has given me a new appreciation for the "little things" in life that I usually missed. A sunset, a small kind gesture, a smile. I feel I was very focused on myself and on getting through the week to the weekend before I went traveling. Now I take moments to stop and appreciate how grateful I am for what I have in my life, and how beautiful life really is. It's easy to get caught up in what we "don't have", but after travelling and seeing how little others have and how happy they are I have a new appreciation for my life and the world around me.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Travelling on purpose. Not just travelling to collect passport stamps, bragging rights or Instagram selfies, but to really experience the culture and embrace what is around you. Being kind to yourself and to others. Mistakes will be made and unexpected things will happen and that is all part of it. It is respecting the rules and the culture of where you are, it is diving in even when it might feel uncomfortable. This is how you will grow and expand as a person. 

“Be yourself and always follow your intuition”. 

It will be your best guide on your adventure.