What inspired you to go abroad and why did you choose MediaKids?
I had an empty nest after my son left home to go to university. So I began looking for a new opportunity, and I was referred by LanguageCorps Asia to MediaKids.
What was your favorite part about Thailand?
The people of Thailand were very kind, hospitable, polite, generous, and they had a lively sense of humor!
Cambodia
What made your experience abroad unique?
I was placed in a small village where I was the only Western woman, so the locals got to know me well and were very welcoming.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff checked on me frequently to ensure that I had all the resources necessary to teach lessons. They also were very helpful when it came to obtaining visas and work permits, walking me through the process step-by-step, and transporting me to the necessary government offices.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish I would have had more time off in-between teaching contracts so that I could have visited the neighboring countries, such as Vietnam.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
I would leave my apartment around 7:00 a.m. and ride my bicycle to the school where I taught. Along the way, I would wave and greet locals. I was lucky enough that my route went past a Buddhist monastery, so many of the young monks would shout out greetings as I rode past.
Once arriving on the school grounds, I would stand outside with the students at their morning assembly, during which announcements were made and the national anthem was sung. After the assembly, I would grab my supplies from the faculty office area and go to the classroom to teach.
Each day I taught five to six classes of around 50 students each. The classroom environment was quite rustic, with only chalkboards to write on and no air conditioning. At lunchtime, I ate traditional local foods in the school cafeteria with the Thai teachers in my department.
After teaching lessons during the regular school day, I would participate in extra activities after school, such as advising student groups like the debate team, tutoring individual students, or teaching language lessons to fellow Thai faculty members.
In the evenings, I would ride my bike back to my apartment and do physical exercises in my room. After showering, I would go to the night market and purchase items for dinner. I'd bring my takeaway dinner back to my apartment and do lesson preparation for the next day of school.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoyed riding my bike around the village and exploring the sites. I had friends that worked in a small city that was 2 hours away by bus, so sometimes we would take the bus to visit each other.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in studio apartment with tile floors and a queen sized bed. There was a small counter and sink in the kitchenette area, along with a mini fridge. The bathroom was an open, "wet" layout with no shower curtain. It was spacious and had a shelf on which to set toiletries. The only hot water available in the apartment was from the shower nozzle. I liked the spaciousness of the floor plan and the neighborhood, which had several eateries and shops nearby.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Be prepared to be a positive representative of your home country. Your behavior will be scrutinized by the entire community, both in and out of the classroom. It's important to set a good example.
How has your program abroad impacted your life?
I'm still working abroad and enjoying the lifestyle. That first jump into working overseas helped me gain the confidence needed to make a career shift into living and working outside of my home country.
Would you recommend MediaKids to others? Why?
I would recommend MediaKids for anyone looking to teach in Thailand. They are a highly respected company and the staff takes good care of its teachers.
