The Fewer Things

I am so glad I chose to go through The Fewer Things programme to teach abroad in Asia. Before I even arrived I felt reassured as I was able to talk to Will and Molly from the team if I had any problems or questions. The group chat and orientation was a great opportunity to meet teachers before starting work and I couldn't have imagined moving abroad without the company of other teachers in the same boat. I am living in a small city called Chachoengsao in Thailand and it has been nothing but an authentic experience of living amongst locals, eating Thai food and (trying) to learn the language. Before arriving here I didn't quite believe in the 'mai-pen-rai' way of life in Thailand, which means 'no worries' but my experience has been both adventurous and laid back. I am only an hour away from Bangkok and Pattaya in either direction, if I want to go to the city or the beach. Overall, taking that first step of signing up to The Fewer Things from my laptop led to my whole life changing a few months later. Now I don't think there is any better feeling than the sun shining as you finish work on a Friday and feeling like you have a made a difference through teaching English, no matter how small.

I am almost mid-way through my teaching placement in Pattaya, Thailand and I am having the most amazing experience. I teach kids from ages 9 to 12 and my students have made my experience, they are the funniest children and I feel excited every morning to wake up, go to school and teach! The work/life balance I have here is the best I have ever experienced, Thailand has many public holidays so even during term time I have been able to travel! Overall I am having a blast thanks to the fewer things!

I found TFT through Instagram back in 2018, I applied very early on in the year (a year ahead of departure) and was in constant contact with them through out the whole online TEFL course and before arriving here in Thailand. The support I received was excellent and it was great to meet the other teachers in a WhatsApp group before we left, I live close by to lot of the other teachers which is nice. I was placed in the Northeast of Thailand, where most of the placements are I believe, I was attracted by this placement as I did not want to live in a big city or do a big commute, especially in this heat! I love it here, there is a very nice community of locals and other foreign teachers, It is quiet but it Is not too far from Bangkok, so sometimes we go there on the weekends or if we get a national holiday. The teaching is very fun and relaxed, we play lot of games! I would recommend this placement to anyone who is wanting a relaxed life and also eased in to living in a new country. TFT answer all of my questions via email or WhatsApp even over a year after signing up.

Thank you to The Fewer Things for providing the authentic Thai experience. The advice from Jaemi was very helpful in putting me in the right direction to have an immersive experience in Thailand. The TFT found the perfect place in the heart of the Isan region. Buriram (the city of happiness) is a peaceful city with also a lot to do. So far, living in Buriram has felt like I have been part of the local community. For example, trying out the incredible food in the street markets, visiting the weekend markets, watching Buriram United play, and visiting the historical sites. There's also a social scene where you can watch live Isan music. I have met amazing people who have helped settle me into the area. My main reasons to go on this trip are to challenge myself in viewing how another society lives and to go on an adventure to explore. From what I've experienced and seen in the Isan region of Thailand, it has an open culture in its social attitudes and it's refreshing to be surrounded by it. In terms of teaching, everything is new and it's an opportunity to learn an important skill. If I'm honest I'm still learning and trying out different teaching styles to see what works. It allows growth in confidence and you're able to keep learning whilst being able to explore. The TFT has provided a new bonus with the Clubhouse meaning you don't have to pay the programme fee again if you want to go on another placement. This allows you to think ahead in keeping your options open for the future.

TFT have been excellent from joining the course to arriving and beginning to teach in Thailand. Nothing is ever too much for Jaemi and his team and they always make sure to get back to you with efficient advice no matter how big or small your query is. They handled everything with Covid excellently and gave us plenty of updates and advice throughout our journey of applying and arriving in Thailand. Thank you for the constant support TFT and for introducing me to a new way of life and new friends!

Jaemi has been absolutely incredible! From day one he’s only been a phone call away to help with absolutely anything and everything. At first I was worried I’d wasted my money by using an agency but honestly couldn’t recommend it enough. The best thing I ever did was use TheFewerThings. The help and support you receive is insane and the pre-travel group chat allows you to make the best of friends. I’ll always be so grateful for this amazing opportunity, I really have made friends for life.

Coming to Thailand has been a life changing experience. As a human creature we're designed for migration/movement and the sedentary lifestyle I was growing restless of needed a change. I've never felt happier. During the process many stresses can occur and if it wasn't for the fewer things team and Jaemi specifically I might've caved to the stress. Thankfully everything worked out and has been greater than I could've imagined. Great people, great food and beautiful weather and amazing students too.

I’ve been in Thailand just over a month and I can say it’s definitely the best decision I ever made ! From the minute I applied, Jaemi was available to message if I had any questions / concerns. It can feel overwhelming and complicated sorting documents etc to move to another country but the support from TFT has been amazing and it’s really reassuring knowing they are just a message away at any time of day, and they will really try their best to help you - I probably asked Jaemi , Will or Molly about 58385 questions before I arrived in Thailand and every time they were always so willing to help which helped massively!!! TFT also organise group chats before you start, so that you can make friends and even organise flights together, this definitely made the whole experience a lot less daunting for me before I came. I would definitely recommend it as a solo traveller as it is super social and easy to make friends - for example me and a lot of the friends I made during orientation live in different areas of Thailand, but we still see each other at the weekends as we can meet up in big cities So far I have really enjoyed my time teaching in Thailand and I can’t thank TFT enough for making it happen !! I’ll never forget my time here and I’ve definitely made friends for life :)

I have loved being placed in Maha Sarakham. It's a really quiet city, while also having a nice variety of places to eat and a good night life. My chief complaint would be about having to go through MediaKids to get to this school. I would prefer to have been hired directly by the school for a number of reasons. Mainly, MediaKids requires us to do separate grades, lesson plans, and attendance for them to be turned in at illogical times within our schedule. Jaemi was great to work with, and has been excellent to me. Having to go through MediaKids instead of getting to work directly for the school has been an unnecessary amount of stress and extra work.

Going abroad on your own can be a daunting experience, but The Fewer Things helped me feel supported and prepared to take on this new experience from day one. From visa help to getting you into group chats with fellow teachers going abroad, the fewer things really guide you along before arriving and even once you are placed if needed. They were always quick to answer questions, as well as honest and encouraging. I was placed at an elementary school in the city of Chaiyaphum and I can genuinely say that I have had the best experience and love the community and friends I have made here. If you want to have a smooth transition and put your mind at ease about choosing the right program to go teach abroad with, I would definitely recommend The Fewer Things.

Having been to China with The Fewer Things a couple of years ago, I got back in touch with the guys there to see what my options were to keep travelling. We settled on Thailand and it was great to see the comparisons between the programmes and placements, I worked in a public school in China and now in Thailand too! Everything was more or less the same in terms of support and guidance and I could not have done either trip with out them, it is really top class support! I was a bit worried about the transition from a big city placement to a smaller town like the ones in Thailand, but it has been a breath of fresh air from every aspect and I love my life here! I would recommend this programme 100%

I had been toying with the idea of teaching abroad for a few years with no direction on how to make it happen. I stumbled across The Fewer Things on Instagram and I’m so thankful I did! It can be a daunting process moving to a new country however The Fewer Things helped ease the process from start to finish. Jaemi, Molly and Will will inform you well in advance about vaccinations, insurance and documents that you need to prepare before you move abroad. They also check in regularly on WhatsApp which is lovely when you’re so far from home. What I particularly liked about working in Thailand through The Fewer Things, is that you can be based in a location that is far different from the Thailand you see on social media. I am based in Isan in north east Thailand. It has been wonderful immersing in this unique culture in a part of the world that I probably never would have visited unless I was placed here. There is a good work life balance and the students here are a joy to work with. Thai people are so friendly and welcoming, and I have always felt safe and happy since moving here.