What inspired you to work for XploreAsia?
In 2013, I was a participant on the XploreAsia program in Thailand. I had such an incredible experience, and I truly believed that it was an incredible opportunity to give back to those that also wanted to take that big leap to teach overseas.
My experience teaching overseas was incredibly rewarding, not just professionally, but, much more so, personally. This is why I know that the experiences we offer can be truly life-changing.
Me during my very first course as an instructor in 2014!
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Don't prepare so much! Live in the present, taking each day as it comes. Over-preparing can really spoil some of those welcome surprises you get when traveling.
That being said, I would tell myself to embrace spicy food from day one! It would be easy for me to say that 'I should've done this sooner', but, for me, it was the right time. It is important to take the leap, as the longer you leave it, the further away that opportunity may truly feel.
Why should someone choose XploreAsia over competitors?
There are so many organizations out there that can provide some form of teaching overseas experience. What makes us different is our post-placement support which never ends, as well as our lifetime placement guarantee for degree holders, across our entire placement network (all countries)!
Also, we take the time to get to know everyone, and we're very much involved in supporting each person in taking those first steps into the classroom. There is so much to list here, but, with us, you can expect a friendly support network from day one, lots of fellow travelers to make lifelong memories with, and an organization that never gives up on you.
When I was a teacher, I volunteered to teach English at the local hospital. So many great memories.
What is XploreAsia's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to provide enriching, life-changing, cross cultural adventures. We guide our teachers on a transformative adventure that not only broadens their horizons, but truly impacts their lives and the lives of those they come into contact with.
Our cultural immersion experience for the first week prepares all of our teachers to truly maximize their time teaching, and, most importantly, live in a different culture.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
We believe that our participants experience significant personal growth through this experience. Not only do our teachers have lifelong memories of their experiences, as well as many new friends, they will know that they've made a lasting impact on their communities. Ultimately, our teachers will know they've made a difference.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Experiencing the world, going outside of your comfort zone, is one of the few experiences we can have that genuinely challenges us, enabling true personal growth. If you would've asked me this before I traveled, I wouldn't have been able to offer this response.
However, now that I have experienced it, I encourage everybody to travel and teach overseas. It's hard to put into words, but it will be one of the most significantly impactful things you do in your lifetime.
We try not to take ourselves too seriously here!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means stepping outside of being a tourist, to truly experience another culture. We live in an incredible world, and we should strive to make cross-cultural connections. Meaningful travel is not a visit, it's a genuine experience. Every culture has much to share, I believe it's our responsibility to do so, at the same time as learning from each other.
How is your company handling Covid protocols? What should participants know about your Covid readiness? How are you assisting participants with navigating the new travel landscape?
We adhere to all guidelines across all of our host countries to ensure that teachers and staff alike are protected and well-informed regarding what they should do. Ensuring our teachers have the support they need, at any time, is the most important element of what we do each day.
