College Times staff writer Jack Cahill has just embarked on his very own LoveTEFL adventure in Thailand. Check out his blog and the video of his progress so far...
For more information on LoveTEFL's Thai internship programme or to find out more about teaching English abroad, go to www.lovetefl.com
Ten days ago, I left the rainy shores of Ireland to come and teach English in Thailand. I had never taught anyone anything before, nor ever been to Asia, so I was pretty anxious about embarking on this new journey. With butterflies in my stomach and 28kg in my suitcase, I departed my comfort zone in search of sun, sand and adventure.
When I arrived in Bangkok, I was greeted by a member of the LoveTEFL staff, who brought me to our hotel in Ayutthaya to meet the other interns. I was comforted to discover that everyone else was as nervous and excited as I was, and it was easy to make friends because we were all in the same uncertain boat. That evening, we ate dinner and went for a walk around the local area, before giving in to jetlag and crashing for the night.
The next day, we had orientation. This included talks about cultural sensitivity, teaching practice and some basic Thai language lessons. Listening to the advice of experienced English teachers living in Bangkok was really beneficial and certainly helped to settle our nerves.
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That night, we went out to a Thai BBQ, transported to and fro in rave tuk-tuks! The next day, we moved to the amazing Pung Waan Hotel, where we basically spent the day lazing by the pool and eating. We were then sorted into groups and brought to our respective schools. This is where I would be living and teaching for the next 6 weeks!
The first day was quite daunting, as we arrived at the school and met the principal. My teaching partner and I were shown to our accommodation, in the centre of the school, and told we were teaching both primary and secondary students... I had honestly never felt more out of my depth!
However, the moment we met the kids, our fears dissipated. They were so happy and excited to meet us, their enthusiasm was so infectious that we immediately felt welcome. After singing “heads, shoulders, knees and toes” in front of the entire school (yes, that happened!), we were given timetables and shown to our classes. Having survived that ordeal, teaching for 6 weeks suddenly didn't seem quite so daunting!
It’s difficult to describe the atmosphere in this place. Looking into a sea of smiling faces – both students and teachers – is something I'm wholly unaccustomed to. I've been received with genuine and heartfelt goodwill everywhere I've been! This seems to percolate through a culture which thrives on generosity and beaming smiles!
One of our trip advisors made me realise that everyone has a reason for enrolling in this programme. Something at home has prompted us to pack up and head off into the unknown. It could be an itch to travel and teach, an urge to discover a new culture unlike our own, or a general disillusionment with your life at home! Whatever it is that makes you feel like you want to explore the other side of the world, I recommend you do it! You'll meet some truly amazing people and it will totally change how you think about the world. Good luck and happy travelling!
