What inspired you to travel abroad?
I studied law and always dreamt of having my own law firm. I am an admitted Attorney and after I finished what I had to, I left the industry and went into corporate. It was super busy and stressful and I decided to take my gap year, go abroad, travel, and earn and save money so when I return to South Africa I can open my own firm.
Nonetheless, after my first month abroad, I knew that I will not return to South Africa soon. I did not want to wait for someone to travel with me. I always asked friends to join me and they always had excuses so I decided to take a leap of faith, close my eyes, pack my bags, and go!
Be your own happiness
Why did you choose TeachTEFL?
I chose it because I felt comfortable. Not only with the course, but with the team as well. There was never a day that I felt that I am just a number with them. Furthermore, the course is accredited and that was what I was looking for.
I was not looking for a pop-up TEFL course that did not have any value or meaning. Nor that I could not learn from. I wanted to learn and improve myself as a teacher. The course is also affordable compared to other courses. It was not expensive at all.
What was your favorite part about South Africa?
The expats. The culture. The food. The country itself was just super amazing! Everyday brought something different and every weekend was a new adventure, so I cannot exactly say what my favorite part was—but I knew I loved every moment of it.
Even on the days when it was not all fun and games, I could relate to other expats far from home. The people made it worth the while. So, I guess I can say the expats living with me in a host country far from home were my favorite part.
Also, the people from my host country were really welcoming and friendly. That is a big part of living abroad.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Traveling. Learning. LIVING! Not having an 8:00-4:00 job anymore. Not sitting in an office, looking at a screen. Working in corporate can be very stressful and I felt that at 26, I did not want to work and work and work. I actually want to live as well. I want to experience it for myself.
I did not only want to experience it through YouTube or other peoples photos and stories. I wanted to make my own. To write one and to have an adventurous life. And my students as well. Wow. Never in my life did I imagine that a 4-year-old could bring me so much joy. The kids were simply amazing and with each hug and smile, it made it extra worth it.
Meet my lil’ friend
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
There was always a support system, be that via email, WhatsApp, or phone call. There was never a time that my questions were not answered nor explained. When I received feedback on an assignment, it was clear and I knew where and how to improve, or what needed to change.
They have always returned or responded to any and all enquiries I had. It was never a problem to get feedback or to learn from them as well. They also explained to me why they would approach a scenario in the way they did because we all have different viewpoints on something.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Absolutely nothing! WOW the stories I have to tell. I lived to the fullest. I traveled every time I got the chance or the opportunity. I did not wait for someone to travel with me. I booked a ticket, packed my bags and I went!
Never did I feel that I needed to wait for someone's approval or need to travel. I just lived my life the way I wanted to and I will never change anything because I learned, I lived, and I loved. Well, maybe I would have traveled more—but 16 countries in two years is a lot!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I woke up, then met a friend for a cycle trip or exercise, or went for brunch with friends. Then I worked on my business or sometimes I studied when I had assignments due. Around noon, I got ready for work, went to work, and prepared for my classes.
We would have dinner break at around 5:00 p.m., and after I taught my kids while having fun at the same time. I finished work around 8:00 p.m. and then went home. Sometimes we went out for drinks, or I would just relax at home, as I worked Wednesdays to Sundays. My weekends were Monday and Tuesday.
Pretty fly for a Mai-thai
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Travel. Travel. Travel. There is never a dull moment of experiencing a new country and culture. Even learning from your new friends who became your family, and about their culture and how they do things back home.
It was a constant learning process, evolving as a person and finding yourself. I enjoyed working on myself. Focusing on myself, my studies, my future, and my business. I enjoyed the fact that I had time for myself, for the things that I like and want to learn about and explore.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
It is absolutely worth it. I will forever encourage people to do it. Travel! Teach or work abroad if you can. Live your life to the fullest and live your best life. You only get one chance to do it. Explore and learn as much as you can about the world.
Have your stories to tell. Not just other people's stories. It doesn't matter if there are mistakes or mountains along the way. At least you will have amazing views while you face your mountains. It is not always easy to live in another country and far from your family and loved ones, but it sure is worth it.
Would you recommend TeachTEFL to others? Why?
Yes, I would definitely. Purely based on the facts stated above. The team is super amazing. Friendly and welcoming and always willing to help. Never did I feel like a number or just another income for them. It was a learning process and the program made me evolve as a teacher.
It made me learn new things which at the end of the day, makes you a better teacher for your students. You can never learn enough and the course sure gave me the necessary tools to achieve my teaching goals.
Finding Nemo
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Living! I cannot say this enough—live your life! Do not wait for other people to travel with you or a travel buddy. Pack your bags, quit your job, and go. You can always fall back on your experiences.
You cannot fall back on pub-crawling or living in a hostel with total strangers and taking daring adventures when you are 70 or 80 years old. Do it! Do not wait for the "right time". Make it the right time! Also the experiences you get to experience. It is so worth it. I cannot say this enough.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I am actually not living in South Africa or home. I was home for a few months, packed my bags, and moved to a new country again. This time I convinced my fiancé to travel with me and my best friend and her husband.
It is all about the journey and what you want to achieve with your life. You cannot achieve your goals sitting home and wishing you did this or that. Follow your dreams, go buy that suitcase, and book that ticket. You will not be disappointed in the journey. At the end of the day, it is what you make of it.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Once again, to live and to experience. I want to learn when I travel. I want to experience life as a local. I want to taste the food. I want to learn the lingo. I do not want to live in a fancy hotel or resort and not experience a city or the village around me.
I want to see what is going on. I want to taste the food and learn a new word. Laugh with a stranger or smile to a stranger. I want to make a difference not only in my life but in the lives of those around me as well. I want to take amazing photos and share them with the world.
