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<h3>What inspired you to travel abroad?</h3>
<p>I love to travel and immerse myself in different cultures, so the opportunity to work abroad really appealed to me.</p>
<p>The allure of Hanoi's rich history and diverse traditions captivated my curiosity. The prospect of living in a city where ancient temples coexist with modern urban landscapes ignited a sense of adventure in me.</p>
<p>Along with the thought of navigating the bustling streets, sampling local delicacies, and engaging with the warm and friendly Vietnamese community was amazing.</p>
<h3>Why did you choose <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/travelgrad rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>TravelGrad</ins></a>?</h3>
<p>TravelGrad has almost a decade of experience with helping people to find work abroad. From speaking with Andrew, you can tell right away that the company is genuine and has your best interests at heart.</p>
<p>TravelGrad listens to what their applicants want out of the experience to ensure that the opportunity they choose is right for them.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1709011923/images2/interviews/Bx4nBFn8xOWl51sp7PcggOtYXGDHI7yfhfxg17t6.jpg" alt="A coastal view on a Nha Trang beach."><div class="caption"><p>Nha Trang on the coast in Southern Vietnam.</p></div></div>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Hanoi?</h3>
<p>I enjoyed Hanoi because it is a fast-paced city with a lot of energy, both modern facilities and historic parts.</p>
<p>The Vietnamese people are extremely friendly and welcoming to foreigners. They are understanding when you do not know the language and will try to help you at every opportunity.</p>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>Vietnam has many distinct locations in the country which are all easy to travel to. I took trips to Halong Bay and Nha Trang while in Vietnam and really enjoyed the experience.</p>
<p>Also, TravelGrad continually checked in with me while I was in Vietnam to make sure everything was going well, which was really reassuring.</p>
<h3>How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>Local staff were friendly and accommodating and made sure we were made to feel welcome when we arrived.</p>
<p>There were regular work events where meals and drinks were provided. I was also supported in the classroom by a Vietnamese TA at all times, and the TAs were always pleasant and helpful, making the work experience great.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1709011923/images2/interviews/D1q77uhiCkAReNiMgh9sgiePC6HNcz4xj3VHQW9b.jpg" alt="A neighborhood side street in Hanoi with lots of vegetation and a moped in the foreground."><div class="caption"><p>A side street in Hanoi–Vietnam’s capital.</p></div></div>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<p>I wish that I would have explored more places while I was in Vietnam. I went to two different cities while I was there, but there was still so much left to see.</p>
<p>If I had more time there or if I were to visit again, I would have loads of new places to explore, such as the capital, HCM city, Da Nang, and Sapa.</p>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3>
<p>I would get up around 7 am for work and do around 3 hours of work in the morning before the long lunch break.</p>
<p>After our two and a half hours at lunch, we would work for another 3 hours until the end of the work day.</p>
<p>After work, I had plenty of free time to go out to eat or go for coffee. There are so many places to spend your free time in Hanoi.</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?</h3>
<p>In my free time, I liked going to coffee shops. Vietnam has a big coffee culture, and on every street, there are loads of coffee shops–you never have to walk far.</p>
<p>Hanoi has some great food spots, and I especially enjoyed some of the local food, like Pho and Bun Cha. Many places provide international cuisine.</p>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>I privately rented an apartment while in Hanoi. The quality of the apartment was excellent, and it came with a weekly cleaning service.</p>
<p>You can rent luxury apartments for a fraction of the price you would pay in the UK there, and they will often come with additional services like linen changing and cleaning services.</p>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3>
<p>I would say to anyone who is going to start on the programme that they should come to Hanoi with an open mind and accept that things work a little differently here than back home.</p>
<p>Things in Hanoi can change in a heartbeat, and you have to be capable of adapting to this. I would also say to travel as much as possible while there.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1709011924/images2/interviews/Pw3UGGe2ygk2h9W1fkuj5hndDWaygJLan772FY1k.jpg" alt="A view of a Nha Trang beach with a sign that reads, “Monkey Island.”"><div class="caption"><p>A Nha Trang beach view from the water.</p></div></div>
<h3>Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?</h3>
<p>I would recommend this programme to anyone who is interested in traveling and who is open to experiencing a different way of life.</p>
<p>I would also suggest that anyone thinking of going to Vietnam should go with TravelGrad as they provide first-class support before, during, and after your time in Vietnam.</p>
<h3>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h3>
<p>I would say that the biggest benefit is getting to see a different way of life which is so different from our own.</p>
<p>When you travel, you will also meet some amazing people who you may not have necessarily met had you not chosen to take the trip. Travelling also gets you out of your comfort zone and will make you a stronger person.</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>I would say that my time abroad has made me a more well-rounded individual. After having taught up to sixty students at a time it really improved my public speaking.</p>
<p>I think this experience has also made me more adaptable and resilient as I have experienced the fast-paced Vietnamese work culture.</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>Travel, to me, is about immersing yourself in another culture and embracing its traditions and cuisine.</p>
<p>I think that everyone should also try to learn a bit of the local language as well, just as a gesture of goodwill. Making the effort, like learning a bit of language or customs, the locals seem to appreciate the effort.</p>


Damon Reay

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Damon Reay who participated in TravelGrad program.

Damon Reay | TravelGrad Alumni Interview

TravelGrad Alumni Interview with Damon Reay

<h3>What inspired you to travel abroad?</h3>
<p>I had not done much traveling prior to teaching abroad, so it was a great way to travel whilst gaining some teaching experience.</p>
<p>It was a good way to balance traveling with work. I liked the idea of seeing how other countries live and experiencing different cuisines.</p>
<h3>Why did you choose the <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/travelgrad/programs/vietnam-tefl-hanoi-city-190243 rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Vietnam TEFL (Hanoi City)</ins></a> of TravelGrad?</h3>
<p>I spoke to a few different organizations, but after speaking to TravelGrad on the phone, I felt the most reassured by them. They seemed very genuine and a trustworthy company who love what they do.</p>
<p>They answered all the questions that I had and just made me feel very confident that I was making the right decision for myself.</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Hanoi?</h3>
<p>My favorite part about Hanoi was the freedom to do what you want. The working hours meant you were able to travel often and go on weekends away whenever you wanted.</p>
<p>Hanoi is an affordable city, so we could go out regularly and enjoy all the sights and smells.</p>
<p>The teaching part was very balanced, and I was able to enjoy the experience both inside and outside of the classroom.</p>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>TravelGrad! They were there at every step of the way and supported me through any issues or uncertainties that I may have had.</p>
<p>They gave great advice on where to live, etc, to get the best experience whilst out there! They really made sure the option gave me exactly what I was looking for.</p>
<p>Without them, I don’t think the experience would have been as good as it was.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/qgM6A373hT8Qmki7E1uMpS9cLrXpVRpq1wcTxaD9.jpg" alt="Palm trees along Ha Long Bay’s beachfront"><div class="caption"><p>Ha Long Bay in northeast Vietnam</p></div></div>
<h3>How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>The support was great, and any questions were always met with reassurance and good guidance. There was, without a doubt, support throughout the whole duration of my stay.</p>
<p>Support could not have been better, especially for people who may worry about things a lot.</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<p>I wish that I had traveled around Vietnam more. I visited Nha Trang, which was amazing and beyond expectations!</p>
<p>Ha Long was also very beautiful and a great place to visit, so I wish I had visited more places as I’m sure I would have loved those just as much as the others. It is very easy to travel around too.</p>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3>
<p>A typical school day involved getting a grab bike to school and teaching three 40-minute lessons and, after, eating some breakfast/lunch, then heading home.</p>
<p>Since the break before afternoon classes lasts about two hours, you can spend some time at home to rest and have a coffee before the afternoon starts, which usually consists of three or four 40-minute lessons.</p>
<p>The day ended usually by about 4 pm, leaving plenty of time to visit the local sights or events.</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?</h3>
<p>I enjoyed visiting the local lakes/parks for long walks and coffee. Going on weekend trips was very fun and easy to do, including some last-minute trips.</p>
<p>We did manage to do a ten-day holiday in Nha Trang, which was so refreshing and great. It allowed us to experience a different way of Vietnam.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/COcFJvNMcU5q7jQqIDg4LUpNuQfNpDPEKj1SAdKi.jpg" alt="A classic Vietnamese dish, Bun Cha ready to be assembled"><div class="caption"><p>A dish that originated in Vietnam, Bun Cha.</p></div></div>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>I lived in an apartment, which I absolutely loved! The location was great as it had many local food places that I visited regularly.</p>
<p>The apartment itself was a really great size and included a private balcony in the bedroom. We were also provided a fresh towel and bed change every week.</p>
<p>The roof had a lovely seating area for the hot days if you wanted to sunbathe!</p>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about TravelGrad before their program begins?</h3>
<p>I would say every future participant should know that TravelGrad is definitely the best organization to go with. They will give you the most support and help and direct applicants toward the best option for them!</p>
<p>Also, I would say that when you first arrive in a new country via TravelGrad, it can be overwhelming at first, but take your time. You’ll get the hang of it!</p>
<h3>Would you recommend TravelGrad to others? Why?</h3>
<p>Yes Yes Yes! I would and have recommended TravelGrad to others. The amount of support you receive from them is phenomenal, not just up until you arrive but throughout your whole time there.</p>
<p>They always check up on you and make sure you’re satisfied with everything, and if you’re not, they will do everything to change that. They’re the best!!</p>
<h3>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h3>
<p>I think that experiencing different countries and cultures is something that everyone should experience!</p>
<p>It gives you a different aspect of life and makes you really appreciate your own country and other ones, too. The experience allows you to have freedom or opportunities that are local to the place.</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>When I first went abroad with TravelGrad, I had just graduated with a degree in business and management and was unsure about what job I wanted to commit to.</p>
<p>My experience with TravelGrad inspired my love of teaching. The opportunity to do it abroad was life-changing, so much so that I’m currently completing my PGCE in primary teaching.</p>
<p>I am looking forward to teaching abroad again to learn from other cultures and connect with its people.</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>Meaningful travel, to me, is about experiencing different cultures openly and taking them for what they are, trying local food, and enjoying different places worldwide.</p>
<p>It is important to me to not only visit tourist areas, but see how the local people really live and eat. By doing so, you can learn more roundly about others!</p>
<p>Teaching is a perfect career to do just that–learning from one another symbiotically for the better.</p>


Yasmin Hallsworth

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Yasmin Hallsworth who participated in TravelGrad program.

Yasmin Hallsworth | TravelGrad Alumni Interview

TravelGrad Alumni Interview with Yasmin Hallsworth

<h3>What inspired you to travel abroad?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Lived in the US as undocumented, always felt like a bird in a cage. Once in the airplane way back to my native country, Mexico, I didn't know where in life I was heading to. I applied for jobs in Mexico, but not really something I wanted to do or live paycheck to paycheck, and started teaching English to my neighbours, and realized this was something I enjoyed doing. Moreover, I wanted to travel the world and do something new. In a meditation course in Mexico, I met people that inspired me to teach English abroad. Months later, here I am! I never expected that one day I'll end up in Vietnam or Cambodia.</span></p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://www5.goabroad.com/images/interviews/ericksammy-morales-arroyo4-1589420994.jpg" alt="Vietnamese youth with their English teacher"><figcaption class="caption"><p>After one of my teaching practice and the most memorable one.</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>Why did you choose Teacher’s Friend Vietnam?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">I did talk to three different organizations, and just the fact that I was not a native speaker and had no degree, I was shut down immediately, with no opportunity or chance at all. I came across Teacher's Friend Vietnam and set up an interview with Georgie Snape. She was very honest from the beginning about getting paid less due to the fact that I am not a native speaker and no degree at all. She gave me a sense of opportunity, that despite the fact that I wasn't a native speaker, there were ways for me to teach English abroad. She then directed me to the coordinator of the AVSE-TESOL program in Vietnam-Cambodia, who gladly accepted me into the TESOL program, with a job guarantee in Cambodia.</span></p><h3>What was your favorite part about Vietnam?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">I wanted to be surprised by everything, and I decided to stop watching videos of other people living in Vietnam. Up to this day, I miss Vietnam, especially GoVap District. My favorite part about Vietnam, Go Vap, is its people. These are the most honest people I've ever met. They are very welcoming and always go a step further to please you. I was offered fruit by the security guy who I used to see every day on my way to school, always smiling at you. I was given a red hat by a local, which I still use. I was speechless when this happened. Maybe she was worried by the fact that Vietnam is hot and sunny every day, I was not protecting my face. I think of it, and a smile draws in my face. The food is so delicious and cheap. But most important, Vietnam is full of lovely people. That is what I take with me from Vietnam.</span></p><h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">The country itself did all the work to make this experience extraordinary. Flying in three different airplanes, meeting different people and making friends with one or two, something you didn't plan, and friendship is still there. Definitely meeting Georgie in person was one of them. Moreover, she helped to make the transition easier, she was there for me from the beginning and still now, I can still contact her and she'll help me with doubts I may have. The locals were so welcoming and very honest, always smiling to you. Overall, what made my experience abroad extraordinary was all the great folks I met along the way.</span></p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://www5.goabroad.com/images/interviews/ericksammy-morales-arroyo1-1589421101.jpg" alt="Breakfast in the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Having breakfast, on the streets of Go Vap District, with my buddy Parthasingh and his sidekick Vicky.</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">TFV: Georgie was there from the beginning, as soon as I landed at the airport. With questions of how much dollars I should change, and feedback about my performance and lesson plans, and always beyond. Georgie Snapes definitely goes above and beyond. AVSE-TESOL: Very supportive, especially with this situation going on with the coronavirus, very supportive. I couldn't have landed in a better TESOL program. Furthermore, If one needed to know where to buy a cable or computer or how to obtain a sim card, or even with translations, the staff from AVSE-TESOL was there for us. They even offer you help to land you a job.</span></p><h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Nothing. I wouldn't have done anything differently. Life keeps reminding me that life doesn't happen as we planned. I met great people along the way, and every single experience was meant to be, even meeting George in person. The whole world is going through something critical at this very moment, Covid19, for that reason I am jobless at this very moment, but it is giving me an opportunity to grow as a person and waiting for the world to heal and life will follow its course. There is no one single thing I wish I would have done differently during my time abroad. Everything was meant to be.</span></p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://www5.goabroad.com/images/interviews/ericksammy-morales-arroyo3-1589421124.jpg" alt="Dinner on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Having dinner on the street of Go Vap District with friends from all over the world.</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Well, my journey just started, I just completed my TESOL course, and now we have the Covid19 going on. Before we entered into lockdown, we used to have breakfast in the early morning. Vietnamese people are up very early, 5am to 6am. There is already movement in the streets. The best part of eating in Vietnam is eating on the sidewalk. I laugh at the word "sidewalk," they are not made to walk on them. They are meant to park motorcycles, vendors set their business and restaurants set out the tables and chairs for people to eat. After breakfast, we'll head to school, until 4:30pm or 5pm. Then I'll head to the gym and eat afterward. Sometimes my classmates and I would cook and eat outside, talking, laughing, or even dancing. On Fridays, we had the chance to rent a karaoke hotel for four hours, one of the best experiences.</span></p><h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Among the things I enjoyed doing during my free time abroad was having long walks admiring everything Vietnam had to offer. From its architecture, smells, funerals, way of doing things. You'll never see in another part of the world one person carrying anything you can think of, from the whole family to a washing machine to a big bonsai on the back of a motorcycle, beauty at its best. We also used to gather together and rent a room for karaoke night, for dancing and singing, great times. Furthermore, we used to go to pools to swim in and dine out, or just walk at night. There are so many lights at night in the streets of Vietnam, that walking at night became a great activity to do before going to bed.</span></p><h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">I was at a house with eight rooms. Every room had a bed, AC, a wardrobe, a desk, and a chair — to do your work in — own bathroom and shower, and pretty lights. We all had a common kitchen, and shared a refrigerator. There were four refrigerators, which you would share with another classmate. Some rooms had balconies, some didn't, it was a matter of luck. The house comes with wifi included, so in your free time, you can definitely watch a movie on Netflix, or call your loved ones through a video chat. The Internet is pretty good and reliable, never had a problem with it.</span></p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://www5.goabroad.com/images/interviews/ericksammy-morales-arroyo5-1589421163.jpg" alt="International English teachers having dinner"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Spending time outside of our accommodation, having dinner.</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">You can plan as much as you want, but you'll never know what life has waiting for you. If you are going to take on this adventure, take it with its pleasant and unpleasant things. This is a four-week program, you'll be shocked by all different minds. What's more, your mind will be challenged in a short period of time. You'll hate it but you'll love it in the end, very rewarding. AVSE-TESOL has all the tools to help you succeed as an English teacher. They'll work with you and give you all the tools you need to prepare for your lesson plans, to simple things like getting a line or how money works. Shout out to Mary and Miranda for all the help and support.</span></p><h3>Would you recommend Teacher’s Friend Vietnam to others? Why?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Starting off with Georgie Snape, from Teacher’s Friend Vietnam, she'll give you peace of mind to every question you might have before embarking on this adventure. She'll hand out a kit with things you have to do prior to coming to Vietnam, and will always look to the best of your interests. For example, I thought I had to buy a ticket back to Mexico to prove that I exited the country. She helped me save hundreds of dollars by buying a bus ticket for $10 USD. TFV will be with you from the beginning to the end of the program and beyond.</span></p><figure class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 50%;"><img style="" src="http://www5.goabroad.com/images/interviews/ericksammy-morales-arroyo2-1589420955.jpg" alt="After peer teaching practice"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Picture after my first peer teaching practice. I had the great opportunity to meet Georgie Snape from TFV. Life has been very good to me, I am blessed.</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">You get out of your comfort zone. One gets to tolerate what is different and learn to accept it, for instance, smells you aren't used to,&nbsp; the way people behave, which one might consider rude, they don't. Another benefit is you get to be alone, and get a period of me-time and grow from within. Moreover, you get to meet great people along the way, either at the hotel, at the airport, inside the airplane, locals from the host country, you name it. You never know who you are going to meet next. Also, one learns other ways of living. For instance, ways of using the restroom. Toilets come with a hose for you to use, I would like to install one of those hoses into my own bathroom back at home. New customs such as taking off your shoes to enter the house, a business. Karaoke nights every night, it is normal, people even invite you to sing. The way they hand out things to you, with one hand, with two hands. Most important, learn to adapt to change. Unconsciously, one emerges in a new environment, adopting and accepting new ways of everything we are accustomed to, they become part of you. In the end, you get to see another perspective of life, the world.</span></p><h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Living abroad gave me time to face some unforeseen obstacles. The first one being food, food didn't look that appetizing, or I didn't know what was in it, due to lack of ability to speak the language and ask. In the end, I ended up loving Vietnamese food. Now I am more open to try new food despite the fact of how it looks or smells. Also, I think I can tolerate things, events that I can't understand at the moment. At first, you see everything so different, you go through culture shock, but as time goes by, you realize that we aren't so different after all. One thing that surprised me was that I became more connected with my family, due to the fact that they were worried about me. It became a ritual to contact them every day, despite the fact of the tremendous difference of time zone. There was also time to send out a message, It got me closer to my family being far away, in the other half of the world. Teaching English at WWIS made me realize how much I have been blessed my whole life. Students at the school have nothing more than a whiteboard to learn. While they are learning they are hearing all the noise from outside, plus they have no AC, it is hot. Nonetheless, I found brilliant students, focused ones, and willing to learn. For this reason, more than ever I am aware that I am blessed and have more than I ask for.</span></p><h3><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">What does meaningful travel mean to you?</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">I am taking with me all those faces I came across, from locals to classmates, to roommates, to students, to teachers, every single one shaped me to what I am now. Meaningful travel means to give back to the community where you end up, not just take from them, but to give back as well. Instead of bragging about what countries you have visited and how many monuments have you take pictures with, instead, give back and grow along with them. One time, I had the chance to go back to the same school where I did one of my teaching practices, and I decided to visit the class I taught days before. As soon as they saw me, they welcomed me and the class became a pandemonium, they were happy to see me as I was happy to see them. They made an impact on me, and I think I made an impact on them as well. That is what meaningful travel means to me.</span></p>

Ericksammy Morales-Arroyo

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Ericksammy Morales-Arroyo who participated in Teacher's Friend program.

Ericksammy Morales-Arroyo | Teacher's Friend Alumni Interview

Ericksammy Morales-Arroyo - 2020 Program Participant

<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>During my last year at university I became involved with the Center for Community Service, simply because I was looking for a work study job. I became involved with their Alternative Spring Break program and joined them for a week in Jamaica helping to build a playground at a primary school, while also teaching kids their lessons for the week. Although the adventure lasted only seven days, it left a gaping hole in my heart. The hospitality and graciousness of the Jamaican people of St. Elizabeth opened my mind to a whole world that I didn't know existed.</p>
<p>Having never previously been out of the country, I came home from that trip knowing that I couldn't just graduate from college and get a job, or work up some sort of corporate ladder. I had to get on a plane and see what else was out there; it is an insatiable desire that to this day still runs through my bones.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto1-thornley-1479796875.png" alt="International teacher eating dinner with Vietnamese students"><div class="caption"><p>Home cooked meal with (and by) my students.</p></div></div>
<h3>Why did you choose Teachers for Vietnam?</h3>
<p>It takes a lot of research to find the right program. Upon graduating college, I didn't have an income or savings to provide for much. I knew that the right program would have to be inexpensive and supportive, since I had a minimal amount of travel experience. It would be a plus if the program offered a stipend or living costs, but as I quickly began to see, many required an expensive application fee without a lot of the added benefits I had hoped for.</p>
<p>I was drawn to going to Asia, but I was quickly becoming discouraged about the entire idea. Then I found Teachers for Vietnam. With a small application fee, they promised airfare reimbursement, health insurance, living quarters, and a comparable stipend for the area. Financially, it ticked off all of the boxes and no other organization compared. But I didn't know anything about Vietnam, and it didn't dazzle me as much as Thailand or Japan, both of which have robust, but costly, English teaching programs.</p>
<p>Weeks later, I had still not found another program that offered as much of a hand and as much as a safety net as Teachers for Vietnam. I began correspondence with their Director and was pleasantly surprised as the responses were personable and timely. I quickly began to realize that this organization fit all of my requirements and then some, and I decided to take a chance on a country that I knew nothing about.</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Vietnam?</h3>
<p>After years of experience and travel behind me now, I can say that Vietnam remains my favorite country. The hospitality of the Vietnamese consistently amazed me - a white girl who couldn't speak the language, drive a motorbike, or even stand to look at chili peppers. On paper, Vietnam and I were a far cry from a perfect match, but I was welcomed with open arms anyway. Not a day went by where I felt unsafe, not taken care of, or unsupported. I received wedding invitations, trips to students' hometowns, a ride to the doctor after a small bike accident (with no one who spoke English), and medicine when my stomach was acting up.</p>
<p>Although ultimately failing to learn one of the (seemingly) most difficult foreign languages, the sing-song speak quickly became music to my ears and I picked up on words well enough to get by, and started nonverbal relationships with others when words failed (like the toothless lady on the corner who sold me <em>bánh chu?i chiên,</em> my favorite after school snack). This level of kindness and welcoming from others was something that I never experienced in America, and I was grateful every day to be surrounded by so much love in such foreign surroundings.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1710999701/images2/interviews/852EFySCMf4g6bkqXbrFTv0WGzyQAt9PI9lPeF1k.png" alt="International teacher with primary students in An Giang, Vietnam"><div class="caption"><p>Primary students in An Giang, during a 2015 visit representing Teachers for Vietnam</p></div></div>
<h3>What made your experience teaching abroad unique?&nbsp;</h3>
<p>I lived in Can Tho, a large city in the Mekong Delta that's not quite as traveled to as HCMC or Hanoi, but larger than nearby rural towns, such as An Giang or R?ch Giá. Without having to live in the hustle bustle with other tourists or feel lonely in an isolated town, Can Tho provided the best of both worlds, plus easy access to either. Can Tho also gave me easy access to the famed floating markets, and being on the Mekong River brought academic and professional researchers that as an English teacher in another city, I probably wouldn't have encountered.</p>
<blockquote>My mind was constantly opened to new ideas, new people, and new places, with every corner of Vietnam welcoming me with open arms.</blockquote>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>My local Teachers for Vietnam contact in Can Tho was An, and I couldn't have survived the foreign transition without her. She helped me get a phone and SIM card, showed me how to exchange money (at a gold store for the best rates!), where to shop for food, plus Vietnamese phrases to stay away from if you can't pronounce correctly (in order to save me immense embarrassment). If I had a question, she answered right away, and if I needed help translating, I could hand a stranger my phone and trust that she was handling the situation from afar. As time went on, my students became close allies in helping to support me as well, but An became, and to this day remains, a close friend.</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</h3>
<p>If I could do anything differently, I'd spend even more time with my students. I knew as a teacher I'd be influencing lives, but I had no idea how much my students would influence mine. I was proud of myself for going above and beyond to spend time with them outside of the classroom; whether they came over and cooked dinner, took me home to meet their family, or beat me on the soccer field, I knew I was having an experience that was more unique than others teaching in a bigger city, where it can be easier to spend time with other foreigners and attend more expat events, restaurants, or bars.</p>
<p>But, sometimes I just wanted to be by myself, take a break from speaking broken English, constantly putting a smile on my face even if they days were hard, and being someone constantly looked up to. A weekend alone, on the road, or with other foreigners was a refuge. And I stand by that as sometimes being a necessity to living abroad. But as soon as I came back to America, I sorely wanted more time with my students. Another trip to a pagoda, a wedding, a new year's celebration, or anything to immerse me in a strange culture. If I could go back today, I'd spend as much time as possible with my students and local community.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto3-thornley-1479796996.png" alt="Students at Can Tho University"><div class="caption"><p>Class photo shoot at  Can Tho University</p></div></div>
<h3>Describe a typical day in your life in Vietnam.</h3>
<p>A typical day consisted of waking up early (it's way too hot to sleep in) and riding my bike to university for an early morning class. The school closed during lunch hours, so I would either go to their computer lab to work on grading or lesson planning, head to a coffee shop to do the same, or go home to rest, and of course eat lunch. Typically I'd teach another class or two at university in the afternoon, and if I was lucky, have coffee or dinner with students after class.</p>
<p>Occasional nights were spent at a private school in the countryside, where I taught English on the side. On homework days, I'd have grading to do, and often spent time with other foreign teachers grading, grabbing delicious dinner, or making a American meals with the ingredients we could find, if we were so craving.</p>
<p>Days off offered immense flexibility; travel to different towns, spend time with students, lesson plan and grade, explore the city, or stay home and watch the pirated DVDs of <em>Friends</em>. And lots of reading thanks to a communal bookshelf in the teachers housing. Teaching was a priority, but exploring was top second, tied with taking care of ourselves in a faraway land and binge watching TV, if that was necessary.</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time most?</h3>
<p>Teaching was a unique opportunity to learn from the Vietnamese community, but my free time was a brilliant way to take advantage of the abroad experience. Spending quality time with students outside of the classroom offered a new perspective on their lives and how they lived day-to-day. Traveling to nearby towns and countries, I was able to see a part of the world most folks I knew had not yet explored. In-between semesters I was fortunate enough to take a solo backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and my life is forever changed by those experiences.</p>
<p>The best way to fill my free time was playing soccer with my students, singing karaoke with my new friends, bargaining at the local market, and other activities that made me uncomfortable, nervous, and vulnerable; that's when the real work began.</p>
<h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>Teachers for Vietnam set me up in university housing, in a row of apartments next to other foreign teachers and students. Aside from a lack of air conditioning (which they now provide) it had all of the basic amenities I needed: running water, fans, cooking supplies, door locks, wireless internet (although spotty), and even a bicycle! I loved being in a gated community both with other foreigners and other Vietnamese who were employed by the university. It created a small community that I felt safe in.</p>
<p>I sometimes ran laps around the neighborhood (as a form of exercise which not many understood) and saw kids playing tennis or basketball, families cooking dinner, and the most beautiful sunsets. One day (although not the norm) I even came home to a monkey playing in my front yard! Because of the diversity of the University property, I had the opportunity to have two roommates from Germany, then two from Thailand, and even time to live by myself for a few weeks. Words of wisdom: always, ALWAYS, pick the upstairs room if you live in the Delta and you suspect your house may be susceptible to flooding!</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/interviewphoto4-thornley-1479797030.png" alt="An Th?i, Vietnam"><div class="caption"><p>Island traveling to An Th?i</p></div></div>
<h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?</h3>
<p>Living in a foreign country is not always easy, and living in a developing economy such as Vietnam, especially in the Delta, provides unique struggles that not every program can foresee or handle from afar. If you are flexible and patient, the Executive Director can and will do anything he can to help you assimilate, help manage your relationships with faculty, or anything else you may need, but the program can't control the timeliness or productivity of said faculty or school. Some struggles will be easily solved and other will be learning opportunities, but the individual has to be willing to see them as such.</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>After I returned to America, life as I know it had changed, but my surroundings remained the same. Sure, I had missed parties and birthdays, and I was "behind" in my career or dating life compared to my peers, but my friends were very much living the same life and mine had changed in a way I couldn't explain. Although there were times in Vietnam where I sat online for hours to chat or Skype with friends and family I sorely missed, I now missed my friends and family abroad.</p>
<p>I couldn't imagine going back to life pre-Vietnam, although I tried. I went back to my city, lived in the neighborhoods that I loved, and even rekindled an old flame, but I wasn't the same person. My mind had been expanded to encompass more of the world than I had previously understood, and I did not want to stop learning. I ultimately enrolled in graduate school, earning a master's degree in nonprofit management - a career which I continue to this day - and found new cities, travel opportunities, passions, and love.</p>
<blockquote>My time in Vietnam and work with Teachers for Vietnam made me hungry for the world, and eager to do good in it.</blockquote>
<h3>Would you recommend Teachers for Vietnam to others? Why?</h3>
<p>Absolutely, without hesitation. Teachers for Vietnam provided me with the support, both financially and emotionally, that I needed to succeed on this journey and I would do it again in a heartbeat.</p>


Samantha Thornley

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Samantha Thornley who participated in Teachers for Vietnam program.

Samantha Thornley | Teachers for Vietnam Alumni Interview

Teachers for Vietnam Alumni Interview with Samantha Thornley

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