Peter holding is Teaching certificate.
Why did you decide to join TEFL Heaven in Thailand?
I had read reviews and thought that doing this whilst in Thailand would be a fantastic opportunity. I already had a TEFL from a website but wanted the chance to learn with other like-minded individuals in a beautiful environment.
Why did you choose Experience Teaching Abroad Ltd?
It seemed the best that I could find – it cost more than I was expecting to initially pay but the experience was worth every penny. You can’t buy experiences or friendship – yet I have a ton of them thanks to this course!
What makes TEFL Heaven interesting?
The people who make up your fellow trainees and the trainers. The trainees are all strong personalities who have come to the same decision as you to do the course, so right from the start you know you have a similar thinking pattern but the trainers really made it great. They knew what they were talking about and really pushed us to do what we all didn’t know we could do.
What is one thing about your program that future participants need to know?
It’s genuine. It’s soooo much fun, and you make truly lifelong friends whilst getting the skills you need to benefit so many other people (your students).
What was your favorite part about your program?
The English camp. We got to have our first teaching experience with a group of kids who were there for a three day English camp. It was honestly the best thing I have done – it gave us the confidence to teach whilst having the support of our fellow trainees and trainers right by our side. The kids are amazing! It made it worth while and really brought the whole course into perspective.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I would have done this earlier in my life.
Describe a day in the life of your program.
We would all meet in the room at 9 a.m. We would always start the day with some fun and inventive activity to get us all moving and energized. Then we would have some informal discussions about a certain topic, all the while having fun stories and input from the trainers and then relating it back to us as trainees. We’d all make a fool of ourselves (one of the best thing about this course!) many times throughout the day doing some crazy dance or song or pretending to be six year old Thai kids misbehaving or not understanding what was being told to us. We’d end the day with a beer by the pool and then usually head out to a local bar and get to know each other a bit more.
Peter out with friends
Did you experience culture shock in Thailand? What did you do to overcome it?
Yes, but not to the extent most people I know have. I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to come to Thailand, but no amount of preparation can prepare you for the real thing. I overcame things by just saying “yes” – I accepted whatever it was that was different without challenging it or trying to compare it (easier said than done) with back home. This is normal for the people over here and I’m “over here” now so I just got on with it and looked forward.
Now that you have returned home, have your experiences in Thailand affected your life?
I’m not home!!! But I am home! Hahaha! I have decided to live here in Thailand, I’ve been here for more than one year already, and have signed for another year at the same school. I can’t ever see myself living back in England. So yes – it has impacted my life in the best and biggest way possible!
