What inspired you to travel abroad?
To explore everything that's out there. To experience, live, eat, breathe, and speak like different people.
Why did you choose Australia Vocational Skills & Education?
Oh boy...To teach English abroad, this is truly the best way to get started. Not only do you officially get qualified but you also receive a ready-made package to get you started. Jane, the resourceful oracle at Australia Vocational Skills & Education (AVSE) made sure everyone of us got a job before the end of our program.
Having fun with students
What was your favorite part about Cambodia?
I loved the tanned, beautiful faces in Cambodia, specifically Phnom Penh. People were warm and interested in everything you had to say. The tuk-tuks were a super fun and cheap way to get around.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The transport app (Passapp) is incredibly reliable and I was amazed at how easily I could get around. I met people outside the group because there's a really fun expat community out there. They made my travel experience extraordinary because they knew the secrets of the city. Go to pubs/coffee bars and you'll find your own crowd.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Local staff were very much involved in the program and they wanted our teachers to teach in the school. Fortunately, two of the teachers wanted to because they loved the school.
Staff photo
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have stayed longer and taught in Phnom Penh.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I woke up, got ready, and went for classes. We had a new topic everyday, everyone had to teach a warm-up at the beginning of the lesson. We had lunch at the school canteen, interacted with the adorable kids, and I still miss them so dearly. We continued classes, and then went home and hunted for dinner. I usually had dinner at the canteen in the mall next to our place. The food was super yum and cheap. There’s also a cinema in the mall, which is shockingly good. It’s clean, cheap, and comfortable (I watched A Quiet Place there). During the weekends, I went out to the city and explored.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Chatting with locals, using the translation app, using khmer for directions and ordering food, and meeting awesome expats and locals who spoke English (still friends with them to this day!). The cuisine is naturally interesting, and the pools are luxurious and very affordable. We went to the islands to explore different sides of Cambodia too, went to the beach, did some pool handstands, went to the gym, etc.
Nazia and her students
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We stayed at a two-story hostel. All the teachers stayed close to each other, which made it easier to find people to hangout with and wake up early with to get to classes. I also really liked that it was a five minute walk from the school.
What is one thing every future participant should know about AVSE before their program begins?
They should know the culture and state of the city and country that they are applying to in order to avoid having any culture shock. They shouldn't expect other people to behave or treat them the way they're used to, because cultures vary everywhere you go.
Would you recommend AVSE to others? Why?
Yes, most definitely I would because of three things: First, the program was organised very well, and there was a good structure to the lessons. We had adequate presentation time and we were evaluated constantly, which improved our performance with time. Second, the staff are truly helpful. They assist you with your new resume and kickstart your job hunt by actively working on it with you. Third, the included accommodation makes it much easier to stick close to your school and have company when you need it.
A rooftop view
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
You make lots of new friends, you bring new recipes home and you become more accepting and open-minded.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I'm actually not home yet! I've embarked on my second teaching trip which is in Kazakhstan. I would never have imagined being here if the awesome staff at AVSE didn't speak of the endless possibilities of going to many more countries besides the others already on the list. It wasn't easy getting into something here but the effort and time paid off. This country is absolutely fascinating.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To create meaning out of an experience, you need to step back, listen to the quiet and the loud, feel the rawness of your surroundings, and immerse yourself into everything completely unfiltered. If you don't, you're just passing by and making assumptions without truly understanding. Meaningful travel means to understand everything about your surroundings and involving yourself in a culture to a native-level, and there's nothing more beautiful than to bring people closer and learn from each other!
