Paid Teaching Program in Thailand with TravelBud

My experience with TravelBud was far different from what the marketing suggested. Costs increased beyond what was advertised, communication became inconsistent, and the support I was promised wasn’t there when the placement became unstable. I was even routed through the special economic zone in Laos with little to no guidance, and the school they placed me with did not follow through on payments and I waited more than 8 months for a placement guarantee which made it impossible to stay in Thailand legally to wait any longer before my tourist visas expired. They would not issue a refund nor a partial refund for not getting me a guaranteed placement. What concerned me most was how quickly things fell apart after asking them basic questions. I encourage future teachers to check the Reddit reviews that cannot be astroturfed or mass flagged by their marketing team on Google to only show the good reviews and hide all the bad ones.

A few months ago, I decided to leave Canada to go teach abroad. I contacted Travelbud who helped me choose Thailand as my destination. They helped me with all the preparation stuff (documents, visa, info about the country, etc). They were always there if I had a question or needed an information to explain what were the next steps. Then, I started to work with their partner agency in-country partner (first, I didn't know I was about to work with another agency). Even if I was now preparing with in-country partner, people at Travelbud were still there to make sure everything was fine. So, after all the documents and visa preparation, packing and everything, I left home and came to Thailand. I did my TESOL course with the in-country partner in Hua Hin, and met a lot of nice people from all around the world. After a month, I left for my placement in Mahachai. I am now an English teacher living in Thailand. It's a completly crazy new experience, but I like it! I'm glad I chose that program to have the chance to live all the experiences I am living right now.

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"Put me on a sandy beach in the south, please", I so naively requested all those months ago. When I first expressed to the ever so helpful TravelBud team my desire to be placed near water and warmth, I had no concept of where or how good it would be. Through the tireless efforts of members at TravelBud, most notably Aubrey, my big post-grad tropical living dreams came to fruition- and more. While of course, the beach and blue water is delightful here in Songkhla, there is a uniqueness and warmth to the community that draws me even more than the sand and sun. Although I've only been in Songkhla a little over a week, I am already dreading the day I depart. If that day comes, that is... People here have welcomed me with open arms. From the security guard who protects my apartment at night to my most wonderful Thai teacher I share a classroom with. There is something to be said about Thai culture's infamous "friendly" nature. It is genuinely, true. I feel honored to share the English language with my students, and thankful to TravelBud for exceeding my greatest expectations. At the end of our lives, we are not going to recall all the "instagramable" landscapes we ventured to as much as we will recall becoming part of a community greater than ourselves. To me, Songkhla is somehow both of those things. Thank you TravelBud for the peculiarly perfect placement.

I grew up and went to college in the same small town. I love my home, but when I graduate from university I knew I needed to do something out of the ordinary. I needed to step outside of my comfort zone and get uncomfortable. A friend reached out to me with the same thoughts/situation and asked, "want to go teach English in Thailand?" Immediately I said yes. She sent me the link to TravelBud and the rest is history. TravelBud has been nothing but great with constant support and help. My friend and I joked with our representative from TravelBud that we asked her a thousand questions a day because quite frankly we did. Bless her soul, she responded quickly and thoroughly. It was definitely nerve-racking leaving the place I have called home for the past 22 years, but TravelBud eased these nerves. Because of this program, I was able to travel the world and parts of myself that I didn't even know existed. TravelBud has changed my life, and I would recommend this program to everyone. This is a community I want to be a part of for life! 47/10 if you are questioning doing this program, don't think, just do! Watch how good your life gets. Peace, Madeline

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I have had the best time doing my TEFL and have just began teaching abroad! I have made so many friends and created a really strong support system out here, whilst being able to immerse myself in a completely new culture! I felt really supported and guided the entire process, and really feel I made a good decision for myself!

I was placed just outside of Bankgok, Thailand in a small primary school. My apartment was a 10 minute walk to school, and I had very easy access to public transportation during the weekends. There were plenty of markets and a mall very close by. So, anything I needed I could easily access. The teachers and parents were the most kind and welcoming people. They were so happy to have me and my coworkers, and were very accommodating to us. I felt right at home within the first few weeks. The TravelBud program connected me to a program in Thailand who helped me with my TESOL as well as a cultural orientation so I knew a bit of what to expect in Thai culture. I always felt very safe and taken care of with these two programs. They really do want you to have the best possible time, and are often reaching out to check in and see if you need anything. I met the most amazing people from all over the world, and still keep in contact with many of them. I miss my students dearly and wish that I could have stayed much longer. I have never been to another country that I fell in love with as much as I have with Thailand. I could not recommend this country, or program more. The memories I made, the experiences I had, and the people I met were truly life changing.

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WOW. Where do I even begin? I came to Thailand in the middle of COVID, in May of 2021. We had to postpone my trip three times, which at first I thought was an inconvenience, but as hindsight is always 2020, I see how the timing of my Thailand experience was near perfect for me. Travelbud helped me every step of the way, from answering my daunting visa questions to explaining the neverending, always-changing COVID situation to me. They helped me jump through all the hoops, no matter how high or small. They made me feel comfortable moving across the world, even though we were in the most uncertain of times. Saskia in particular helped ease my mind on several different occasions. Travelbud sets you up with a two-week orientation when you get to Thailand, where you meet other teachers from all over the world. I made one of my best friends through my orientation group. I will forever be grateful to Travelbud. My school has a lot of foreign teachers, so I had a big group of friends to travel with as well. I finished my two-week quarantine in June of 2021, and Thailand went into lockdown the first week of July. During that time, I traveled almost the entire country from top to bottom; it was the coolest thing to experience. We felt as if we had the entire country to ourselves, constantly being the only people on beaches and on islands, or in restaurants or on the streets of Bangkok. I saw Thailand in a way that only a lucky few did in 2021. This was my fourth time coming to Thailand, so it's safe to say my love for this country runs deep. The culture is unlike anything you've seen before. Thai people care about others, they are full of joy, and everything is centered around food. The FOOD... is so amazing. I hardly eat western food, and it doesn't bother me. Granted, the only western options I have in my town are Mcdonald's and Burger King... But I live so close to Bangkok, that I can go get my fix whenever I want. I was placed in a suburb of Bangkok, which I loved because I really immersed myself in Thai culture. I have so many Thai friends, and feel like I am officially Thai (Chan Khon Thai!!)! The people are the best part of this experience. Thai people and the international people I've met on my journey are relationships that will last forever. I now have places to stay all over the world. I have learned to speak a lot of Thai, even though most Thai people speak some level of English. You won't feel alone here, you won't feel helpless (at least all the time lol). The Thai people are welcoming, they make sure you are doing okay. Traveling around is incredibly easy, as Thailand has awesome transportation systems. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I have learned so much about the world and about the person I want to be through living here. I have been shaped and molded into a better Courtney since moving here. I have learned how to love harder, how to listen better, and how to have joy despite any circumstance I may find myself in. I could write for hours about the impact Thailand has had on my life. The last thing I will talk about is my teaching experience. I was SO lucky with getting placed at a private school. I only had 15 students in my first year and got to move up with them in my second year. I know my students so well, and teaching them has been the most challenging, rewarding, and joyful experience of my life. These kids are precious, and they have taught me just as much, or possibly more than I have taught them. If you are even considering moving to Thailand to teach, let this be the final push you need to go. DO IT. Face the fear of leaving your comfort zone and charting new waters in a new country. The culture shock wears off, you learn how to navigate the BTS in no time, and the heat becomes normal (just kidding, that you don't get used to). You can overcome any problem or challenge thrown your way. You have endless support from Travelbud, from your school, and from the amazing people you will meet along the way. I promise this isn't a decision you will regret. I will look back on this time in my life and be filled with such joy and love. Thailand has changed me from the inside out, and I can earnestly thank Travelbud for getting me here. If you've made it this far, thank you, and this might be your sign to move across the world. Thank you Travelbud, from the bottom of my heart. XOXO, Teacher Courtney.

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I found the program to be very beneficial. Originally I was going to do everything myself, but decided to go through the program to have extra support and guidance. I found that it was a very worthy investment, as the support team was well-organized and helpful in getting me acclimated and prepared for my experience. The support with logistics, paperwork, bank accounts etc. is facilitated and also the cultural orientation was valuable. Meeting so many other people was a great way to start my time abroad, as I made friends and developed a network from the start. While there is room for improvement, I found overall the experience to be smooth and helpful. My teaching placement worked out for me and I am happy where I was placed. It was a pretty seamless process and I have been enjoying and learning much in my time here. Originally I wanted to be in a bigger city with a lot of ex-pats, but my placement turned out to be in a small area. I decided to just trust in the process and it turned out that I had a great experience. I still made friends and had a life-changing experience. I think that you might grow and learn more being outside your comfort zone. If you're new to teaching abroad and you want a strong support network to help with all the logistics and also as a way to meet others, I think this program is a strong option.

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Thailand has been a dream. When people ask when I’m coming home, I joke that I may never come home. There are so many incredible things about teaching abroad. The people you meet, the places you go, the food! Thai people are always shocking me with their kindness even in small interactions. The kids you teach are by far one of the best parts. It’s so exciting to see them learn and improve and also have fun at the same time. TravelBud was extremely supportive both before I left and now that I’m here. I know that they’re available for any sort of issue I have. When I first got to my placement school, I was experiencing a bit of culture shock and they replied quickly to me and spoke to me. They’re so kind and only make the experience better.

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I cannot recommend teaching abroad with TravelBud enough! I only had 3 months available to teach abroad, so TravelBud provided me the option to take my TEFOL course online instead of abroad to maximize my experience in such a short timeframe. This allowed me to take part in a cultural orientation, then get placed at a wonderful school that took me in and made me feel at home in no time! TravelBud gave me the chance to make lifelong friends, teach a wonderful group of students, travel around to neighboring countries/cities, and to even join a local soccer team! If you are considering teaching abroad, TravelBud is the best way to feel safe while expanding your boundaries every single day! They ensured I was placed at a safe and wonderful school, checked in on me several times, and ensured my experience abroad was no less than extraordinary!

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Teaching abroad with TravelBud has been one of the best things that I have done! After graduation I really wanted to dedicate at least a year to living and working abroad, however, while the options were endless, not many programs were as reassuring as TravelBud's. From the initial application, right towards the end of my placement, I was constantly supported by TravelBud's staff. The preparation process, document legalization and packing for the program was simplified as I had 24/7 contact with one of TravelBud's members of staff via WhatsApp. Once I arrived in Thailand, I started my in-class TEFL, which laid foundations for my teaching placement. I learned how to manage classroom behavior, explain difficult concepts only using English and I took classes about Thai culture and history. I felt that the program really prepared me for my placement and helped me understand the Thai culture and how organizations operate in Thailand. Other than that, the experience allowed me to be immersed in a culture that is so different from mine and experience working in one of the most valued professions in Thailand.

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I am currently living and teaching in Thailand after completing my TravelBud TESOL course and placement, and I am having an absolutely amazing time. The cultural orientation and course fully prepared me for life in Thailand, and I felt very ready to being life as a teacher here. I was able to gain experience in the classroom through my TESOL, which made me feel more prepared for teaching than those I have met that went with online certifications. I also made amazing, life long friendships through TravelBud that I have maintained throughout my time here. We have been able to travel together, both during and after the course, and have experienced many of the amazing things that Thailand has to offer. Teaching in Thailand is an amazing, life changing experience and working with TravelBud makes the process very easy and even more rewarding.

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I have always had the passion for travel and culture and working my 9-5 job back in the U.S. did not allow me to travel as much as I wanted to and it seemed like all I did was work, work, work! I finally made the decision to go abroad and get my TESOL certification to experience a totally different lifestyle and culture and I am BEYOND thankful that I made this decision. It was scary at first and challenges still arise while I am abroad but overcoming those challenges really strengthens you as a person! I work with age 6-11 and they have taught me so much in the 6 months that I have been in Thailand and I cannot wait to see what the next 6 months brings! I would 100% recommend teaching in Thailand and I wish I would have done it sooner myself!

I found my experience with TravelBud to be unique, and exhilarating. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity I was given here in Thailand. I have been teaching for approximately 4 months at this point in time. I have hiked to temples in caves, I have gone swimming in the ocean, I have attended multiple football games (Go Buriram!), and had the fortunate opportunity to share meals, coffee, and stories with people in this wonderful country. Everything began with a fantastic support team that helped with getting visas, and ensuring we were fully prepared for this experience. We were in constant contact with a representative from Travelbud the entire time while we prepared for this immersive opportunity. The process of applying for a visa and getting degrees notarized is EXTREMELY tedious and I am so grateful to have had TravelBud to help with each step of the process. So much mailing, and waiting, without the assistance I would have been lost, and quite frustrated by the process. From there the experience went by so fast, beginning with a 1 month TESOL program in Thailand. They picked us up from the airport, and we were able to make acquaintances with several like-minded personalities that have the same desire, and motivation to leave their homes and come to teach English in Thailand. From Bangkok we traveled to the location we would spend the next month, Hua Hin Thailand. Home to the King's Summer Palace, where you will meet countless new, and amazing people, including some incredible local people. This was a fantastic place to begin the journey simply because it is used to foreign tourists, but not to the point of being over-saturated. The English proficiency is high enough that you aren't completely and utterly lost you will use this time to make some friends with local Thai people, and truly break out of your shell an incredibly useful skill in your endeavor. The TESOL course provides you with the framework to be a successful teacher, and the instructors are all ex-teachers, or sometimes even current teachers themselves within Thailand. During the course you will gain a new mom, known as แม่ "Mother" in Thai. As well as make many new and beneficial additions to your circle. With a full month of immersive instructions, and a great opportunity to begin your immersion into Thai culture you are given the chance of a lifetime to show your worth, and to show yourself just how life changing this experience can be. Use this month as an opportunity to delve into places far outside your comfort zone, this is your chance. You will get hands on experience teaching in a school, as well as have the opportunity to be surrounded by wonderful dogs to help relieve stress while finishing up the course. With guaranteed placement you can rest easy about where you will end up being placed. While you don't find out where you are placed until the last few weeks of the one month course, it really shouldn't matter. They do their best to place you where you wish to be placed, but you are here to experience a new culture, to see a new part of the world, and to change the lives of hundreds of children. I assure you, wherever you end up being placed, it will be the experience you want as long as you are willing to jump in. I requested the North originally, preferably close to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, I am now located in one of the less tourist traveled areas known as Isan. I am grateful that I am here, I feel fortunate that my request wasn't carried out. Being here has afforded me countless opportunities and things I never expected, and would not have been able to get in the North. So wherever you end up, don't fret. Just ride with the experience, take it easy, relax, and "Mai Bpen Rai"(It's okay… everything is okay… don't worry). Cheers, and enjoy your new life as a world-citizen.

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After graduating university, I knew I wanted to deviate from the traditional path of finding a 9 to 5 and settling down. Nowadays, there is an abundance of online teaching abroad sources to help you get started. I did extensive research trying to find reputable company to go through. TravelBud really calmed my nerves about all the logistics of moving abroad. I currently teach first grade math, English, and health and am loving it. There is something really special about the culture, language, and people of Thailand. I would definitely recommend teaching abroad to anyone who is interested in stepping out of their comfort zone and experiencing culture.

I am wrapping up my year of teaching in Northern Thailand with TravelBud's Teach in Thailand Program. This experience has made me more independent, expanded my thought processes, and made me more culturally sensitive. Their in-class TESOL was one of the best parts of the experience. Having the TESOL geared toward the country I'd be teaching in was incredibly valuable. Being taught by instructors who had actually taught in Thailand was nice. The practical application camp days at the end of the course were super insightful as to what we could expect as teachers. I also really liked the cultural orientation. It was nice to have so much explained to us before we went off on our own to our various placements. I was also pleased that TravelBud was able to place my friend together. If you're looking for someone to take the major stressors off of your shoulders for an already nerve-racking move, TravelBud is the people to do it. They walked me through all the admin stuff (visas, documents, etc) and all I had to worry about was focusing on my new job and home!

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TravelBud has been the most supportive, warm and family like agency I have ever worked with. They gave such a personal touch to getting me ready with my Thailand experience and always gave attention to personal details when checking up by phone call or email, which made me feel like I wasn't just a number. Both the staff and founders have gone out of their way to make sure we were looked after, supported, happy and if not happy a plan was always made. I have to say a HUGE thank you to Saskia and Liam, you have been incredible. However, my experience as a teacher and with my school was one of the books of "where not to go". This was not TravelBuds fault AT ALL and even though it was a terrible situation I pushed through and in the end I learnt more about myself and my strength, so for that I am grateful. "What makes you cry now, will make you laugh later"

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There have been many steps and sometimes overwhelming moments from the time that I began my journey until the moment I am in now. With that said, there isn't a doubt that I am where I want to be. Travel Bud has made that happen. I have experienced the challenges of moving across the world, the constant process of relocation, the foreign members of society, the living environment, the students I teach, the people I meet, and the joy it has all brought me along the way. I am humbled everyday and constantly learning about myself and thankful that I am able to help others. Sometimes that might be on a very small scale, but it is something. Ultimately, life is simple here, stress is free, and joy is constant.

Writing a review about the best decision you have ever made while trying to not get overly excited and sound completely biased is a tough ask, but here is my attempt. The first step in making the decision was when I met with Peter from TravelBud in a coffee shop in Stellenbosch on a Saturday morning. He was off the clock, it was weekend, but he took time out of his own personal life to meet up with me and chat about moving abroad. This was even when he knew I was not completely convinced about moving abroad and that I was in contact with other agencies on top of this uncertainty. He wanted to make sure I had all the information to be informed before leaving, even if I didn’t choose his agency TravelBud. An incredible gesture considering we live in a world where profit is the bottom-line. His stories amazed me, they were exhilarating, frightening and hilarious all at once and from this point on all I could imagine was sitting down with my future kids and grandkids and telling them my own tales. I wanted similar experiences; I was completely sold on that day. His raw honesty and enthusiasm was enough to change this eternal skeptic. To clear up any confusion you may have, TravelBud are essentially your agents before you get to the country of your choice. They help you with the paperwork and hassle of visas, booking flights and provide you with priceless information you need before you jet off. Once you get to your destination, you’re handed over to your agency in that country. That is the norm with every agency, but TravelBud continued to provide support and information, even going as far as to place an employee within our city for the duration of an entire month while we completed our TESOL. No other agent did that, not one, but TravelBud went the extra mile and ensured that we were eased into a new culture and had some form of a support structure as we adjusted to life in our new homelands. They checked in and kept an eye out during the nervy placement process. Furthermore, they organised a fantastic group dinner, study groups, TESOL support and a number of other awesome excursions for us during our free time, which helped with meeting more likeminded people and in the end, form friendships with people from all over the globe. These come in handy when you travel around and need a place to crash in either your own new home country or further abroad! If you are in two minds, you need only speak to one of the amazing team members and hear about their priceless memories and experiences. I recommend TravelBud as your choice to lead you into your new life, they have the perfect balance of professionalism and fun/friendly/warm that you need, a mould you can use for your own approach as a teacher. Take the plunge, you really won't regret it.

I was very unhappy at hime , hating my job, my life, etc. Travelbud were the first point of contact to my new life and have been a reassuring presence throughout. Would highly recommend them. They have checked in with me regularly since I have been here, spoke to me on Skype when I was wortied I wouldn't be able to make the move work and have provided a solid foundation for my new life here. Very approachable and understanding staff.