Teach Abroad for 1 Year

This was truly a beautiful experience—one I’d recommend to anyone, whether you’re an aspiring teacher, healer, artist, or any other walk of life. It may terrify you, intimidate you and possibly make you question your life choices, but I assure you, you will not regret it. To have the ability to step out of your comfort zone is in itself a blessing and what better way to learn more about yourself than by being an English Teacher. I had a 6 month contract at Colegio Victoria in Costa Rica where I covered for another teacher who was on a maternity leave. I've already had experience as a teacher but this type of role was completely new to me for 2 main reasons. I found myself teaching an older age group, despite having little experience with that level, and a subject I wasn’t very versed in: American Literature. It pushed me well beyond my comfort zone! So I decided to dig deep as I usually do. With my background in Art as a 2D animator I connected the dots and realized the similarities between literature and 2D animation. The concept of creating fiction in any medium has always been innate to me and the appreciation of a well-written story has always been present with me. When my workload felt overwhelming I used Ai tools to assist me in the Literature Analysis as well. I felt accepted by the students and staff because I was upfront about my learning curve and although I faced challenges, I decided to make the best of it. Currently, I am still in Costa Rica living with my girlfriend (a fellow teacher) and may even consider becoming a resident here.

Doing my TEFL and placement through Xplore Asia in Costa Rica was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The team was so supportive from day one — organized, friendly, and always there to help, whether it was with lesson planning or figuring out how not to get lost on my way to class. The TEFL course was way more engaging than I expected. The instructors made everything practical and fun, and by the end I actually felt confident teaching English (which still surprises me). The placement they found for me in Costa Rica was perfect. The school was welcoming, the kids were hilarious and full of energy, and the staff made me feel at home instantly. Outside of teaching, the experience was just as incredible. I met so many amazing people in the program, and we explored beaches, waterfalls, and little local spots I never would’ve found on my own. I genuinely felt supported the entire time — not just professionally, but personally. If you’re looking for an adventure, real cultural immersion, and a program that actually cares about you, I can’t recommend Xplore Asia enough. Costa Rica became a second home for me, and this program is a huge reason why. 💛🌴✨