What inspired you to travel abroad?
After graduation, I really thought it was a now-or-never time to make a decision to move abroad and explore different opportunities while I had no commitments back home. I really wanted to experience living in a culture that is different from mine, get some valuable work experience, and see the world.
My home in Thailand was surrounded by rice paddies and mountains.
Why did you choose your TravelBud?
I chose TravelBud because of the 24/7 support it offered. I was assisted with everything from the moment I applied right until the last day of my placement. The program also offered an in-country TEFL course with two-day work experience at a local school. This allowed me to get insight into the job before I even started it and prepare for my placement.
What was your favorite part about Thailand?
Thailand has some of the tastiest food I have ever tried. Papaya salad, green and red curries, and fried rice were just some of the dishes that I had on a daily basis. By being placed in the Northern region of Thailand, I had the chance to try Khao Soi noodles, which are only available in the North!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The ability to teach in a government school made the experience extraordinary because I was thrown straight into the deep end of the Thai culture. I had very little contact with foreigners and no Western comforts, such as Western food, and as a result, I had a very authentic experience of living in Thailand.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
They were incredibly supportive. I was frequently reassured that they were there to help me if I were in need and they always made me feel very welcome.
Wai'ing is a common way for students to pay respect to their teachers in Thailand.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish that I took my time to learn the Thai alphabet. While I managed to learn a fair amount of the language, it certainly would have been a lot easier if I learned the alphabet first.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I would start my day very early as I had to be at school by 7:30. I usually taught four lessons a day and I had 3-4 planning hours during the day on top of that. I was determined not to bring my work home so I made sure I completed all of my work during the planning hours so that I can enjoy the things that my town has to offer. Because of the fixed routine, I was able to pick up new sports, such as yoga and Muay Thai, which I never committed to back home because I didn't feel like I had the time.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
In my free time, I started practicing Muay Thai and yoga. They are very affordable in Thailand and it was a great way to meet new people. One of my aims while living abroad was to become more active and I definitely feel like I achieved that.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
Accommodation in Thailand is very different from the typical accommodation in the West. It's very common for apartments not to have kitchens as it is cheaper to buy street food for every meal of the day. My apartment was a studio apartment with a small kitchenette area and a balcony. It was all I needed and it was very cheap.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
The program involves teaching in a local school. It is not a vacation program where you work for a few hours a week and then travel whenever you want. You are a real teacher expected to work the way a real teacher does. It is important to understand the commitment before the program starts because one of the issues that Thai schools are facing is high staff turnover as a lot of people are promised unlimited travel opportunities.
Would you recommend TravelBud to others? Why?
I would certainly offer it to others. I think the program is the best way to immerse yourself into a culture that is different from yours and you can actually make a lot of impact on the people you work with.
Working in Thailand was a great way to experience culture.
What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
It opens your eyes to different ways of living. Thailand is a collectivist culture that differs from the individualistic culture we have in the West. They put emphasis on different values than we do which really opened up my eyes.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I feel like I have so much more to talk about with people and I now have a stronger CV with international experience that many companies are looking for these days.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means exploring different places, gaining insight into different ways of living, and most importantly having a positive impact on that place. Whether that is community work, teaching or simply responsible tourism, it is important to make sure the places you visit benefit as much as you do from your presence.
