Alumni Interview with Tanya Davis

What inspired you to go abroad?

I wanted to become a more confident and self sufficient person.

Why did you choose XploreAsia?

To help me adjust living in a foreign country and give me the support system that they provide.

What was your favorite part about Thailand?

The people.

What made your experience abroad unique?

I adjusted living in a small rural city with no other foreigners and ended up two years later becoming a strong part of the community there.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

They were very good and acted as an advocate on behalf of us as teachers getting us the right job.

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

I wish I had done this years ago!

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

Wake up, get to school for 7:30 a.m. and participate in assembly which is usually from 8-8:30 a.m. and then start my first close around 9ish. Usually I would teach between three to five classes a day with many breaks in between.  School days usually would finish at 3:30 p.m., although as a teacher we were expected to stay until 4:30 p.m. Then I would drive home on my scooter, get changed and start my Muay Thai training for 6 p.m. After Muay Thai I would go and visit friends either at a coffee shop or one of their houses for dinner. We would either listen to music or drink beer!

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

I got very involved with Muay Thai and loved it.

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

Accommodation was good, clean, cheap, and comfortable.

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

Don't let your fear of coming out your comfort zones prevent you from doing this.

What was the hardest part about earning a TEFL certification abroad?

There wasn't. It prepared me so much more than the online TEFL ever could have.  As I had paid to complete the TEFL certification online whilst still in the UK six months before, but I didn't feel confident.  After completing the TEFL abroad I was 100 percent confident in my abilities to teach!

What surprised you most about Thailand?

How kind people can be towards one another and you as a foreigner. In the two years I lived there I didnt even so much as boil an egg! I made so many friends within the local community that I had invites for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week! Plus the food was so incredibly cheap that if I wanted to eat alone I could go to a buffet restaurant and spend less than 200 baht with a bottle of Chang!

How difficult was it to communicate with locals?

Very difficult, but you just got to get on with it and try and make the most of every situation. So even if you're laughed at that's fine laugh as well. Try and see the funny side of things.  ‘Don't be serious' is a common saying in Thailand and its good to follow it as everyone is relaxed out there.

Use resources if you have them and take comfort in knowing even things like google translate get it completely wrong. Google translate can be pretty hilarious actually. With my Thai friends we would use mimes trying to act it out what we meant, pictionary, google images, etc.  Just be creative! It can actually be pretty fun trying to guess what each other are saying and have a conversation over a few beers!

Sometimes it can be frustrating too but don't get mad, it won't get you anywhere! I got laughed at most times when I tried to order food in the restaurants in the first few months.  Often they would not bring me anything or get the order completely wrong.  However, gradually it does get better and easier!

What is one thing you wish you would have known before earning a TEFL certification abroad in Thailand?

There's nothing I wish I had known except that I would end up earning it abroad! I wasted money obtaining the online certification by transferring onto the TEFL certification abroad in Thailand but i'm glad I did.  It reached all of my expectations and more!

If you could go abroad again, where would you go?

I am now going on to teach in Colombia for five months and then travel South America for 12 weeks after the semester is over. My future plans are to then return to the UK to spend time with my family and save some money, then back to Asia to teach in Vietnam.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of earning a TEFL certification abroad is?

You gain experience in the classroom as well as by interacting with your tutors and classmates. Something that doing the certification online can't give you! You will also find you make many friends which is good as it is important to have a support network wherever you are!

Do you have any packing tips for individuals headed to Thailand?

For girls definitely tampons and a small hot water bottle, deodorant or any body products (most Thai products will have whitening agents in them). A stamp or stickers to put on students work in school (Thai students love being rewarded with stars or ticks). Alarm clock. Bluetac or velcro is good to take as you can use it in the classroom to hold your flashcards on the wall with!

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

Yes I'm going back to live in Thailand again next year after I have travelled and teached in Colombia this year.

Would you recommend XploreAsia to others? Why?

I highly recommend it as this would have been a stressful experience had I not had XploreAsia's help!