ASSIGNMENT 1: INTRODUCTION

[Autumn Whalen]

Hello,

My name is Autumn, and I am currently a toddler preschool teacher. I have lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia for 23 years. I graduated from Acadia University in May 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, and I hope to return next May to pursue a Bachelor of Education.

I am traveling to Thailand to push myself out of my comfort zone and experience a completely different culture and environment. This journey feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse myself in a new setting and develop as both a teacher and individual before beginning my career. Along with personal growth, I believe this experience will expand my teaching skills by exposing me to diverse educational approaches and strategies for working with young children in an international context.

While I’ve never traveled outside North America or been away for longer than a week, I’m ready to meet the challenges ahead, especially managing the time difference while staying connected with my family. For now, I’ll be in Thailand for just a month of training, which has eased my anxiety about stepping out of my comfort zone. I hope this experience will give me stories to share with my future students, along with the chance to learn a bit more about myself while traveling solo across the world.

I hope to return from this experience with memorable stories to share with my future students, new insights into global education, and a deeper understanding of myself through the adventure of solo travel across the world.

[Gwendie Burger]

Hello, my name is Gwendie, I’m from South Africa.
I studied Political Science and then a degree in Human Resource Management.
I worked for a number of years for a Bank in South Africa and then went to work in London. I stayed there for nearly two years, doing various jobs, from working for the BBC worldwide as a receptionist, to being a Silver service waitress in a five star hotel. It was during my stay in London that found my passion for travel. I love to see how different societies live, the art and history in different cities, but mostly, I love to talk to people and to hear their stories. In South Africa, I have been working in the corporate world, selling HR outsourcing services to businesses. In enjoy the diversity of going to different companies and seeing the different industries and business ideas. During Covid I was teaching Chinese children English online and found it so refreshing to deal with children, that I decided it was something I would love to do. I have been on a few holidays in Thailand and really loved the friendly people of this country. Working in Thailand will be a different experience, I expect the language and culture differences will pose some difficulty. I want to make as many friends, as possible, with the local people, and other travelers, so that I can adapt easily and quickly. I also love the fashion industry, and Thailand offers such a variety of styles and textiles, so I am really excited and would love to set up a blog, covering this. In addition to the fact that I love traveling, this opportunity will help me gain more confidence in public speaking and teaching. I experienced online teaching as very rewarding and a lot of fun, and I loved it. I really look forward to getting there and getting started!

[Anthony Dueck]

Background information about yourself
Hi there. my name is Anthony. However I have lived in Asia for over 20 years. I went to the University of Manitoba.
I still love my canadian sports like hockey and football, but love spicy food like thai curry, mexican, indian, and so on.

Why are you deciding to travel/move to Thailand?
I have been to Thailand many times, and it just feels more personable and comfortable than other countries. Love the food and the weather.

What challenges do you expect to face along the way and how do you expect to overcome them?
Well I have taught on Japan for 20 years so I am used to that, but I am expecting some cultural differences. I concider myself an observer of culture having visited over 26 countries, and I think I can adapt to any cultural isssues that occur, as long as there is good communication with me and the staff.

What do you hope to get out of your experience?
Well I have been in Asia for over 20 years, mostly Japan, but Thailand has been place I want to visit time and time again. I guess I just want a new experience of the students’ behaviours and attitudes, and see the differences in cultures from the students I have taught in the past.

[Emily Mofadi]

Hi, my name is Emily and I am from South Africa. I grew up in a small town called Bothaville in Free State province and I am 30 years of age. I completed my Bachelor of Education in 2015 and I graduated in 2016. My teaching journey began in 2015 where I was a substitute teacher and I taught foundation phase, that is where I enjoyed teaching little minds. I have always wanted to travel abroad as I have never been to any country outside of South Africa and now that I will be traveling to Thailand, I am excited to interact with Thai people, explore their wide range of Thai cuisine and explore my horizons.
My biggest challenge is to leave my loved ones behind but as an individual I have to grow my own wings.
I hope to meet exciting and welcoming people and explore their culture/traditions and lastly gain teaching experience as it will be advantageous to me.
Thank you

[Simon Kane]

Hi everyone!
My name is Simon and I am from Wales. After completing my masters in physics I now want to travel and see the world while also pursuing something I love – Teaching! Thailand has been on my bucket list for a long time, especially with its beautiful culture, amazing scenery and warm… very warm weather which for someone from the UK at this time of year could not excite me more.
Aside from the insects and sunburn which I’m sure will effect me straight away, my main obstacles moving away from home to a different country might my confidence teaching in front of children in an environment that I may not be used to. Although I have taught before back home, I’m sure Thailand will be different experience but I’m sure it will be even more rewarding. I will ensure to remind myself of how important teaching is, and how it an help to shape the lives of young people in a positive and enjoyable way and this, more than anything, is what a strive to achieve.
I hope to feel fulfilled from this experience, with a feeling of accomplishment and pride from my work as well as create memories and stories that I can hold with me for the rest of my life!

[Simon Kane]

Hi Heather,
I’m looking forward to meeting during the program! I studied at Leeds so I’m sure it would be great to work together!

[Karlijn Exters]

Hey Everyone,
My name is Karlijn. I am 25 years old and from the Netherlands. For the past 5 years I have lived in England. 5 Years ago I started studying Tourism and Hospitality management at the the University of Plymouth and never left after that. The decision to move to Thailand and teach English was not a very difficult decision to make. I love to travel the world, get to know people everywhere and most importantly get to know other cultures. While travelling will give this insight a bit, in my opinion the best way to really get to know the locals and their culture is to be in one place for a longer time and what better way to learn about the daily life than to become part of it. Especially teaching will give such a great opportunity by sharing my own knowledge while learning from them at the same time.
One of the biggest struggles I think I am gonna face is to adapt to being a teacher. I have been a volleyball coach for several years and done some tutoring but to actually stand in front of a class will be an entirely different experience. Also, coming from the UK I am sure getting used to the weather in Thailand will be a challenge in the beginning but I cannot wait for some nicer weather.
With this experience I hope to learn so much about the Thai culture, see a lot of the country and at the same time leave an impact at the student’s with my teaching.
I cannot wait to meet everyone!

[Fallon Furey]

I hold a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Psychology from Acadia University, where I developed a strong foundation in understanding human behavior, mental health, and well-being. Throughout my academic career, I balanced rigorous coursework with full-time work as a waitress, which taught me resilience, time management, and adaptability.
I am interested in moving to Thailand to explore a new cultural landscape while pursuing a career in teaching. Teaching in Thailand offers an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young learners while immersing myself in a vibrant culture, language, and community. Additionally, I value personal growth and adaptability, and living in a new country will allow me to expand my perspectives and develop skills that align with my interest in fostering connections and promoting well-being.
Adapting to a new culture, language, and way of life can be overwhelming at first. To overcome this, I plan to approach the experience with curiosity and humility, seeking to learn from locals and colleagues. Participating in cultural activities and taking language lessons will help me integrate more seamlessly.
As a new teacher, I anticipate learning how to effectively engage with students whose educational backgrounds and expectations might differ from my own. I plan to overcome this by embracing professional development opportunities, collaborating with colleagues, and adapting my teaching methods to meet students’ needs.
Living far from loved ones may lead to feelings of homesickness. I aim to maintain strong connections through regular communication while also building a supportive community in Thailand to balance these emotions.
Navigating visa applications, work permits, and settling into a new living situation can be complex. To address this, I intend to thoroughly research and plan ahead, seeking advice from others who have gone through similar transitions.
I hope to gain professional teaching experience that allows me to inspire and connect with students while making a meaningful impact on their education. Additionally, I want to develop intercultural communication skills and broaden my worldview through immersion in Thai culture. Personally, I hope to grow in resilience, adaptability, and independence as I navigate life in a new environment. This experience will also align with my long-term goals of contributing to education and well-being on a global scale, providing me with the skills and insights necessary for future opportunities.

[Isabel Clissmann]

Hi everyone,
My name is Isabel, I’m 26 years old, and I’m from Ireland. I went to an international school growing up and I have always enjoyed traveling, which inspired me to take an online TEFL course shortly after graduating in 2022. Since graduating from university with a degree in History and Political Science, I have worked in the tourism, heritage, and charity sectors, but to date I haven’t had the opportunity to work as closely with local communities as I would like. For this reason, teaching in Thailand appealed to me as a great opportunity to give back to a community while also learning about another culture and exploring a new country. The fact that Thai food is so delicious was an added incentive too!
While I have moved abroad by myself twice before (once to Austria and once to Slovenia), this will be my first time living and working in an Asian country which I expect will bring its own unique set of challenges. Communicating across the language and culture barrier is one area I expect to struggle with, but I am hopeful that by taking Thai language classes and immersing myself in local culture, I will gradually overcome these challenges and make the most of my time in Thailand. This will also be my first formal teaching job, so I am both nervous and excited about the new challenges teaching will bring.
I hope that this experience will teach me about Thailand, its language, culture, and beautiful landscapes. I also hope to make meaningful connections with new friends, colleagues, and the children I teach, and to make the most of this cultural exchange.

[Isabel Clissmann]

Hi everyone,

My name is Isabel, I’m 26 years old, and I’m from Ireland. I went to an international school growing up and I have always enjoyed traveling, which inspired me to take an online TEFL course shortly after graduating in 2022. Since graduating from university with a degree in History and Political Science, I have worked in the tourism, heritage, and charity sectors, but to date I haven’t had the opportunity to work as closely with local communities as I would like. For this reason, teaching in Thailand appealed to me as a great opportunity to give back to a community while also learning about another culture and exploring a new country. The fact that Thai food is so delicious was an added incentive too!

While I have moved abroad by myself twice before (once to Austria and once to Slovenia), this will be my first time living and working in an Asian country which I expect will bring its own unique set of challenges. Communicating across the language and culture barrier is one area I expect to struggle with, but I am hopeful that by taking Thai language classes and immersing myself in local culture, I will gradually overcome these challenges and make the most of my time in Thailand. This will also be my first formal teaching job, so I am both nervous and excited about the new challenges teaching will bring.
I hope that this experience will teach me about Thailand, its language, culture, and beautiful landscapes. I also hope to make meaningful connections with new friends, colleagues, and the children I teach, and to make the most of this cultural exchange.

[Rose Capo]

Hello everyone I am Rose 🙂 I graduated with my Masters degree from the University of Florida this past May and am excited to embark on this new journey that I have fantasized about for a long time now! I earned my TEFL certificate during undergrad, and fell in love with the idea of Thailand, as this culture is known for its warm hospitality and being the “land of smiles.” I am also a teacher at heart, and cannot wait to finally pursue something that has been on my mind for so long. I do expect to face a lot of culture shock along the way, but I know that moving to a new place is always going to bring its challenges, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Plus, my best friend Simon will be coming with me which gives me so much relief! I hope to immerse myself fully into Thai culture and learn from the Thai people so that if/when I eventually move back to the States, I can take their invaluable life lessons with me.

[Rose Capo]

Isabel,

That is so impressive that you have moved to two countries already by yourself! I hope you make meaningful connections and gain more confidence in teaching once you embark on this new journey.

[Justin Thomas]

Hi! My name is Justin, I’m from Dallas Texas, but I was born and raised in New Orleans Louisiana. If you know about them, you know both places have very different cultures. I worked the last 10 years for a banking company that eventually laid the branch I managed off. I decided to take the course because I wanted to have something I could do to earn extra money online while traveling to different countries. I have no intentions to teach in Thailand, but I came to Thailand to take the course because it is my favorite country to stay in thus far. But there are many more countries I would like to spend some significant time in and also other skills I aim to acquire. My dream has always been to see as much of the world as I can.

So here, in Thailand I expect to begin my journey. I expect to have to learn to adjust to living in a different culture and to be comfortable with uncomfortable situations. I also expect to make friends and life long acquaintances. And to maybe teach some people to speak the “Kings language,” as my grandma used to say.

[Alexander Harvey]

Hi,
My name is Alex, I’m 24 and I’m mixed race (English and Thai). I finished my English literature and language degree at Reading University this year and decided to take part in this programme because I always wanted to be a teacher as a career and living in Thailand has been where I wanted to be for my future. The main barriers for me would be the language, as I’m already familiar with Asian (specifically Thai) culture but lacking communication with locals would make it difficult. I want to overcome this by taking language lessons whenever possible to try to be able to speak confidently as soon as possible and further immerse myself within the local community. I hope to meet many great people in this program and have a chance to experience the different facets of teacher life in Thailand!

[Mirela Badica]

My name is Mirela and I am originally from Romania, however I have also lived in Norway for several years and now I am based in Exeter, England. I have a degree in Psychology and Criminology. I have decided to join this programme because I think it will better myself as a person but also in my professional skills. Because of my background of moving around, it sparked an interested in culture and language thus I am very eager to experience that in Thailand whilst also helping others achieve their own goals in school. What I usually find challenging at first is the cultural shock and social life being bare. It will be my first time in Asia, so I am sure there is a lot to learn and explore. However, I know I will accommodate to the culture eventually and I am a little bit of an extrovert thus meeting new people from Thailand all over the world should come fairly natural. I hope by the end of this amazing experience to have gained professional skills to transfer to my next work opportunity and most importantly to have better myself as a person and who knows, maybe have another place to call home.
Excited to meet everyone and get started with this experience.

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