Alumni Interview with Laila Oskouie

What inspired you to go abroad?

I have always been inspired and intrigued by Thailand, even as a young girl. I've always thought it to be such a beautiful and happy place to be. After finally getting the chance to backpack Thailand for a month following my university graduation, I instantly fell in love. After that trip, I was desperate to find a way to get back to Thailand to live there and delve into the culture even more than when I was simply a tourist

Why did you choose MediaKids?

I was very new to the world of teaching English abroad. I knew nothing about how to apply for a job, what legal documents were required to stay in the country, or really just how to get started at all.

I had a friend who recommended MediaKids to me, so I applied. After speaking with them, I realized they literally did everything for me, and it just made my transition from the US to Thailand seem very easy and seamless.

What was your favorite part about Thailand?

The relaxed nature of the people and everyday life. Coming from the US, we are very by-the-books, schedule-driven, and stressed out every second of the day. Thai people are literally the exact opposite. It was so relaxing and freeing to be part of a culture where small things just don't matter. They live by the motto "mai bpen rai" which basically is Thailand's version of hakuna matata.

What made your experience abroad unique?

I chose to teach in the small countryside town in the northeast of Thailand, which made my experience abroad very different from so many others, but arguably so much better. I was one of three foreigners in my town (the other two being MediaKids teachers), and I was basically a local celebrity in the town.

I got to actually witness authentic Thai culture first-hand, because I was often included in their daily practices, holidays, activities, and ceremonies. Traveling is a big part of our culture nowadays, but not many get to see a country "off the beaten path" like I did, and I will always be grateful I made the decision to do so.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

They did EVERYTHING! The paperwork involved in being a teacher in Thailand is meticulous and confusing, but the Thai consultants do it all for you. We were initially welcomed with an orientation course, which set us up for success for the semester because we learned all about Thai culture, language, schools, and even had teaching workshops with the curriculum consultants.

The Thai consultants organized accommodation for us, so I had a place to live as soon as I got there. And any time I ever needed anything they were just a phone call away. Even in my small town, I never felt alone and knew I always had someone to call whenever I needed some support.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I renewed for another semester with MediaKids, but I switched schools to be in a coastal city near Bangkok. Theoretically, it should have been more fun than a small town. But it actually was not.

The cost of living was much higher, the city lacked Thai authenticity, I was not as warmly welcomed by the Thai teachers and students, and all the friends I made through MediaKids were far away due to the fact that most of their school placements were in the area where my old school was located. So I wish I would have stay in northeast Thailand rather than switching over.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

A typical day involved waking up around 6:30 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. and then walking, biking, or taking local transportation a short distance to your school to arrive by 7:45 a.m.. The first thing you will do is attend the school's daily morning assembly, which includes the national anthem, prayer, and announcements from the Director or teachers. You may have a couple classes in the morning and afternoon with lunch around 12:00 p.m., and then you can go home at about 4:30 p.m. and have free time for the evening.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

After school I often grabbed dinner or drinks with the other MediaKids teachers either at a local restaurant or the local market. I befriended some of the Thai teachers as well. They often drove me around the area to see the local sights, ancient ruins, and the beautiful nature that surrounded the area.

We also played sports, went to the gym, ate, or had drinks together. On the weekends, I always had plans set up with the friends I made through MediaKids. We would plan to meet in each other's towns, which were anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours away from me. 

On long weekends we made plans to travel around Thailand to see places like Ayutthaya, Bangkok, or the beaches.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

I lived in a shared house with one other MediaKids teacher. My accommodation was actually unique because it's not common for teachers to have a shared house; most teachers will be in private Thai-style apartments. But we were so lucky because we had a kitchen (uncommon in Thailand), a large TV, a spacious common area, a huge patio, and it was just a really beautiful home with a short 10 minute walk to my school. 

My favorite part about my house was that it was right next to a small farm with cows and chickens, and sometimes the cow would peak his head into my window which was hilarious. Coming from a huge city in America, it was such a hilariously amazing experience for me and I loved it.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

It's important to note that there is no placement fees for MediaKids, however, teachers are expected to support themselves for most things. 

For example: flights, transportation to orientation and to your town, visa run (only the visa fee is reimbursed but not the whole visa run), and one-month of personal expenses (teachers are paid at the end of the month). So the trade off for no placement fee is that you just have to cover your own expenses.

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

My time abroad has certainly impacted my life greatly. I am much more patient in my daily life, and I don't get stressed about things so easily. Learning about and being part of a culture that is nearly opposite from the one I grew up in has changed my outlook on life for the better, and teaching in Thailand was the best gift I could have given myself.

Would you recommend MediaKids to others? Why? 

Yes! It's great for first-time teachers. It's true you can find better salaries elsewhere, but the areas where the pay higher salaries are just due to the higher cost of living. Plus, you will not get the support that MediaKids provides, which is essential for first-time teachers and can make or break your time in Thailand.