ASSIGNMENT 1: INTRODUCTION

[Ruby Greensides]

Hi my name is Ruby, I am going on to study Psychology at Manchester, I really like travelling and am making up for the years we couldn’t travel because of COVID. I’ve spent 2 weeks in Thailand and that was long enough to fall in love with the country and it’s people, especially it’s people

[Emily Laughlin]

Hello, my name is Emily and I am from the United States. I am a recent college graduate of Monmouth College. In college, I studied Social Science Education with hopes of being a high school history teacher. Besides history, my other true passion is in zoos. I have spent the past summers working at a zoo outside of Chicago, Illinois in their education department. The zoo is where I feel at peace. I love being outside with nature surrounded by amazing creatures and life. This I believe is my true passion and where I hope to remain eventually. In college, I took a semester long course that covered various topics related to traveling which is when the plan to teach and travel abroad began. For my final project, I chose Thailand and I spent time researching logistics of traveling as well as different ways to be an ethical and responsible global citizen. I want to go to Thailand because I think it is important to challenge yourself and be open to new cultures and perspectives. I believe this experience will not only make myself a better educator, but a better person as well. A challenge I am expecting to face during this adventure is my own self confidence. I have never left the US and so I have many fears when it comes to being in a place where I do not know the language. To overcome this fear, I am trying to remind myself that in failure, we grow. I may not always get it right, but I will always be growing. Growing is much more important than perfection. Through these challenges and adventures I will prove to myself that I am capable of doing hard things. I want to be challenged, and I want to continue growing and learning. My time in Thailand will allow me to step outside of my comfort zone and make me a better person. I am excited to meet new people who also can challenge and support me on this journey.

[Ruby Greensides]

Hi everyone, my name is Ruby, I’m 20, and I am due to start a psychology degree at Manchester next year. I’m fascinated with all things Thai: cooking, the music and the Thai people, and want to learn more about Thai culture. I don’t speak Thai, and will struggle initially to learn about Thai culture, but the rewards are potentially large for me and so I am really looking forward to starting to teach in Thailand toward the end of this month

[Sophie Hickman]

Hi everyone,

My name is Sophie Hickman, and I am 23 years old from England. I studied Russian and Spanish as a degree at the University of Bristol. Thanks to my studies and keen interest in travel, I have been fortunate enough to visit a variety of other countries including Mexico, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and a lot of Europe. However, South East Asia is an area of the world which has always fascinated me, but I have yet to visit! All of the art, history, architecture and folklore surrounding South East Asia is so unique and I can’t wait to explore it all. That’s why I am going to teach English in Thailand for 2 months and then move to Vietnam for 8 months following this. Teaching is a passion of mine, and I have been experienced in this for a few years now, so I am ready to move abroad and continue developing my experience across the globe.
I expect there will be several challenges along the way, mainly homesickness and culture shock. However, I have lived in a few countries already which are starkly different to England, so I hope this won’t be an issue. Personally, loneliness may be the biggest issue I will face, but I constantly see how friendly and welcoming everyone is in Thailand, so I am sure I will make friends quickly.
Ultimately, I hope this experience gives me continued knowledge and work opportunities in the education sphere. On a more personal level, I want to gain more knowledge and immerse myself into the culture, to become a more confident and independent person.

[Tori Becker]

Hello Everyone!

My name is Victoria, but everyone calls me Tori. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area (CA) and currently reside in San Francisco, where I’ve worked in Recruiting for the past 5yrs, and I’m currently making a career transition. Growing up as 1 of 8 kids, having several nieces and nephews, and previously working as a Nanny for 4yrs, I think working with children will come naturally to me. Experiencing different cultures worldwide has been a strong educator for me, including visiting Thailand in 2018, and I’m excited to be back and experience it in a new light.

Teaching/working abroad has been something I’ve wanted to experience, and I’m also looking forward to making this my first international journey since COVID. I anticipate the challenges for me will be adapting to a teaching role, knowing people are depending on me, and ensuring that I’m being a useful resource for the team and students. I hope to come out of this experience with a deeper understanding of Thai culture, increased social skills, and confidence in my ability to overcome the obstacles that arise while being a supportive team member, and connect with people from all over the world who are working towards the same goal.

Cheers,
Tori

[Alessia Angelov]

Hello everyone, my name is Alessia Angelov. I’m Italian/Bulgarian with a Swedish passport. I’m 29 and I speak 5 languages: Italian, English, Spanish, Swedish, German, all of them with different levels and I have some knowledge of Russian and Bulgarian langauage. I lived in Italy, Sweden(close to lapland) and Germany. I have a Master in Sport Science but I opened my self towards learning and teaching languages in the last years. Actually, I travelled in 68 country, most of them alone where my English knowledge, spirit of individualism and adapt where fundamental. I’m learning Thai language in order to get closer to the country and to the people, I practice kickboxing and I’m up to join a club in Thailand immediately (I hope to ride a motorbike because I took the licence in Italy too). I think you have to be able to find your personal routine in every place you move in order to feel good in yourself. I chose Thailand mainly for a different culture and weather. I lived with minus 20/25 degrees (some weeks) and snow for 3 years from October to May but I’m a “summer” girl and I enjoy my life at the beach with the best sunset. The main challenge will be the language but I’m excited to learn more about Thai and be able to talk with the locals. As soon as I can find a Muai Thai team I think I can manage to adapt in the country, it will be interesting to just eat Thai food, Italian food culture is extremely important as well! I hope I can bring some of my international personality to the locals, be humble, getting better in teaching and growing up even more in my self confidence.

[Melanie Moon]

Hello! My name is Melanie Moon. I am 44 years old and felt that I needed a change in my life. For many years I was simply just in an undecisive state of my life. I graduated high school in 1998. I went into the workforce right after thinking my path in life would follow soon. Unfortunately, my destined path never revealed itself. I continued to work for various companies as a customer service representative or a technical support agent dealing with several different tasks. I even thought maybe nursing was my calling and later went on to college to pursue an associates degree but realized after being excepted in to the nursing program that I did not have a passion for it. When I was younger I always had a passion for Asian cultures and wanted to travel to various countries. I would hear someone mention teaching English abroad and always thought that would be a wonderful experience. I thought about checking out the requirements to follow this type of career path but never knew where to teach English. Several months ago i befriended a person in Thailand who also mentioned teaching English there. I begin researching and learning about Thailand and realized I would love to visit and maybe begin my journey in the land of smiles. I know that a challenge that i will face is due to no bachelor’s degree which is required in many schools especially public schools. I will have to apply to more schools and will not be able to make the same amount of money then someone with a degree. I am a passionate and determined person that along with my amazing personality I’m sure I can overcome this difficulty. I would love to get a sense of belonging and feel needed. I believe that teaching English to young children or even adults that could possibly give them opportunities in this world would be a great way to feel like I have a purpose in life.

[Victoria Kennedy]

Hi my name is Vicky and my home country is Scotland. I travelled a lot as I was growing up and have been lucky enough to live in some amazing places like NZ, Australia and England.

I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a teacher, but I always knew I wanted a career that involved helping people. When I finished University I started thinking about how much I loved learning and education and that transpired into me starting teacher training, which turned out to be the most challenging but rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

After teaching in mainstream secondary school England for 3 years I decided to move home to Scotland to be closer to family. I also wanted to give myself a new challenge/ adventure before properly settling in Edinburgh. I missed travelling and I’ve always wanted to visit Thailand as it seemed so beautiful and I thought teaching in a completely different culture would be an amazing opportunity!

I think the biggest challenges, aside from teaching in a completely new country! Will be missing my family and our dogs. But I think keeping myself busy at the weekends and making new friends will help with homesickness. There are so many things that I’d like to do while in Thailand (like visiting an elephant sanctuary) I know it’s a once in a lifetime trip.

What I really hope to get out of the experience would be successfully becoming part of a new community, helping children to learn, challenging myself in a new environment, making memories and discovering more about myself along the way.

[Lindsay Hickok]

Hi everyone, I’m so excited to begin the course with all of you!

My name is Lindsay, and I’m from Palm Springs, California. I attended the University of California, San Diego, and majored in Archaeology and Linguistics, with a minor in and ASL.

I recently left my tech job in San Francisco to officially pursue a career in education (& teaching abroad). Prior to that, I served in AmeriCorps for two years, teaching and counseling at a middle and elementary school. I absolutely love working with students of all ages and backgrounds. I’m really excited to jump back into the classroom and receive formal training with Culture Route and Xplore Asia!

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, taking care of animals (especially dogs), going to concerts, swimming, and checking out the latest breweries and restaurants around town.

The goal after this course is to teach English in Thailand! I’ve never traveled there before so if you have any recommendations please let me know. I’ve always loved Thai food and culture and hear it’s a great place to live.

I’m sure I’ll miss certain aspects of my life while in Thailand, especially being close to family. One way to (hopefully) still feel connected is to do weekly calls together.

As for the experience teaching, I’m excited to jump in and teach any level and age — whatever is most needed.

Looking forward to teaching in Thailand soon and meeting all of you at orientation 🙂

[Tori Becker]

Hi Lindsay,
Thanks for sharing. I can relate to your situation – leaving your tech job to pursue a career in education. That’s awesome!
I’m in a similar boat – leaving behind a 5-year Tech Recruiting career, myself.
When Does your program start?
Cheers,
Tori

[Derek Garrish]

Greetings!!! My name is Derek. I am from Tampa, Florida. Currently living in North Lake Tahoe, CA. I graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a B.S in Economics. I used to have my own cabinet manufacturing business for 10 years. As I grew tired of that industry, I decided I wanted something a little more fulfilling in my life, which is why I decided to take this course. The thought of living and teaching abroad excites me.

I have not taught English formally, but am excited to embark on this journey. Mainly I am excited to learn again and to challenge my brain.

My hobbies include skiing, ice hockey, and beer league softball. Love dogs!!!!

My goal is to teach in Thailand, and then Vietnam. Who knows? If I find fulfillment, then I just might try to teach in as many places that I can.

One challenge I expect to face is culture shock. To overcome this challenges, I will learn more about the culture and try to adapt as well as possible.

I hope to positively impact the lives of the students that I am going to be teaching. I also hope to be a positive role model, and a leader in the community that I live in. I hope that students can look up to me and remember the things I have taught them.

[Tatiana Christensen]

Hi! My name is Tatiana, I’m 19 and from the south of England. I finished my a-levels in the summer, and am currently taking a year off before going to university to study politics and philosophy. I have wanted to go to Thailand since my year 8 tutor told me he lived there for a year, the country and culture sounded amazing and so different from anything I’d ever experienced before. While I’ve been lucky enough to travel around Europe to see family I have never been to Asia so am excited to go somewhere completely new. After completing the teaching course I plan to travel around south east Asia with one of my best friends. I chose to do this specific course because I wanted to do something other than just backpacking and be able to live in an area for a while. I also wanted to do something on my own before my friend joined me; this was the perfect opportunity to gain independence and learn life skills while also getting to meet new people and create life long memories. I think the main challenge for me will be being in a completely new country away from my family and friends for an extended period of time, as well as navigating a language that is completely new to me.
I can’t wait to meet new people and travel around Thailand seeing areas that I may not have gone to otherwise.

[Mutlu Güven]

I am a 28-year-old Turkish mechanical engineer with 5 years of professional experience,
currently residing in Eskişehir, Turkey. My family consists of my mother, a homemaker, and
my father, a retired tradesman. I also have two sisters; one is an English teacher, and the
other is a civil servant.
I completed my primary and high school education in Bolu, graduating at the top of my class
from the Computer Department of Anatolian Vocational High School. Subsequently, I
pursued my studies in Mechanical Engineering at Kocaeli University.
Throughout my career, I have actively contributed to the development of significant national
projects, including leading the efforts in the production of Turkey’s first heat pipe. In
addition, I have provided various vocational training sessions to numerous workers. My
expertise extends to advanced skills in Mathematics and Physics.
Discovering my passion for teaching, I decided to delve deeper into this field. I conducted
research on teaching programs and courses, exploring potential locations for teaching. Based
on my findings, I chose Thailand, a country with a unique culture, and decided to enroll in a
TESOL course. This decision will allow me to explore diverse cultures, enhance my teaching
skills, and gain new experiences.
My career goal is to acquire experience in different fields, broaden my horizons by exploring
various cultures, and improve my English proficiency. With the aim of sharing my knowledge
in Mathematics and Physics, I am excited to take this TESOL course as the first step toward
achieving my goals in the field of education. I aspire to become a knowledgeable and skilled
mathematics teacher, advancing and excelling in the teaching profession.
Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction.

[Duygu Yilmaz]

Hello, I’m Duygu, a 25-year-old from Türkiye who has dedicated yourself to the field of English language teaching. I pursued my degree at Anadolu University and am currently working as an English teacher, both online and face to face. Driven by a passion for education and a curiosity about different cultures, I’m eager to take my teaching skills beyond borders. My goal is to become an English teacher abroad and immerse myself in a new cultural experience.

Thailand has captured my interest as the destination for my next adventure. The rich history, vibrant landscapes, and warm hospitality of the country are calling to me. I envision this journey as not only a professional growth opportunity but also a chance to experience life in a completely different culture.

Of course, I anticipate there will be challenges along the way. Adapting to a new work environment, overcoming language barriers, and immersing myself in Thai customs might pose difficulties. However, I approach these challenges with a resilient spirit and an adaptable nature. I see each hurdle as an opportunity for personal and professional development.

Through this venture to Thailand, my goal is to gain a deeper understanding of Thai culture, refine my teaching methods in diverse settings, and build meaningful connections with my students and colleagues. This experience is about more than just expanding my career horizons; it’s a holistic pursuit of personal growth, cultural enrichment, and the creation of lasting memories. I am excited and ready to embark on this remarkable journey, bridging cultures through the universal language of education.

[Rheanna Kollaard]

Hello everyone, my name is Rheanna!
I am 24 and from Canada! Born and raised in Ontario along with 6 siblings. I have been working in my degree of Architectural Technology for the past year and a half. For the most part I loved it however, I have a dream to travel while I am still young.
I am really looking forward to teaching in Thailand and getting to meet a lot of like minded people. Growing up with many little siblings I appreciate the opportunity to teach and make memories. This will be my first big trip so knowing I will be apart of a team definitely helps with the nerves but I am also excited to see how it will change/inspire me. I grew up in a fairly small town which made me eager to see the world. What really interested me is Thailand’s strong culture and how it is reflected through it’s beautiful architecture.
I know that there will be some tricky parts, like getting used to a new way of teaching and feeling a bit homesick. I will try to stay open-minded, talk to other teachers and make friends. This way, I hope to grow as a person, learn a lot as well as make a positive impact on the lives of the people around me!

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