ASSIGNMENT 1: INTRODUCTION

[Kaitlyn Rouse]

Hello! My name is Katie Rouse and I will be teaching in Thailand for the first half of this summer. I am an elementary school teacher in Denver, Colorado. I have my BA in English and my MA in Education and Human Development. I am looking forward to learning more about the beautiful culture and history of Thailand first hand. I am also hoping to make friends along the way. I believe the language barrier may be difficult, but I am ready for the challenge! I am hoping to travel to different parts of Thailand on the weekends.

[Kaitlyn Rouse]

Hello Aromi,

In which summer program will you be participating? I am an elementary school teacher as well. What grade do you teach? I am looking forward to possibly meeting you soon!

-Katie

[Jared Yuille]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jared and I’m from Durban South Africa. I have been teaching for a number of years and Thailand has always been a place that I have wanted to live in. The warmness of the people and food are two of the things that stood out for me when I visited a few years ago. Having lived abroad before I know that language barriers and adapting to some of the ways things are done will be the most challenging aspects of living and working in Thailand.

[Harvey Millar]

Hi there! My name is Harvey Millar, and I am a 24-year-old Elementary School Teacher living in Dallas, Texas! I was born in England, and when I was 13, I moved to the United States with my family, and have lived here ever since! I am an avid adventurer, educator, actor, singer, and model! Last year, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (EC-6), and have never looked back! My love for teaching expands beyond just the classroom, which has now led me to the Summer Teach Thailand Program! I have decided to take on this adventure because being reduced to only the 4 walls of a classroom can become overwhelming, and the idea of expending my horizons for a summer and getting to see a different side of the word has always been a dream of mine, and now I am so excited that it is finally coming true! One of the main challenges I believe I will face is the culture shock, as when I was younger, I had already experienced a big switch in my lifestyle in the UK to the US, and it was a lot to take on! To overcome this challenge, I plan on using the resources available to me, such as my colleagues, the locals, and the rest of the XploreAsia team! I hope to learn new things about myself, and enhance my teaching skills, experience another culture and country, and make life-long friends!

[Emma Shapiro]

Hi everyone! My name is Emma Shapiro and I’m 26 years old. I am from Northern Virginia, near Washington DC. I just graduated from George Mason University with my BA in Geography and will go back to GMU in the fall to continue my MS in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences. Most of my professional experience is in education and customer service. I love to teach children and adults. I might pursue a career in secondary education teaching geography, and so I’m looking forward to gaining classroom instruction experience this summer. Previously, I’ve worked as a small-group tutor for children of all ages tutoring English, history, basic math and science, SAT/ACT verbal prep, study skills, etc. I’ve also been teaching 4th grade at my synagogue for the past four years and have worked as a camp counselor and teen mentor. Additionally, I worked at Starbucks for four years as a shift supervisor and instructed dozens of employees as my store’s main trainer. My former boss at Starbucks is from Bangkok, as were several of my coworkers, so that is really where I was first introduced to Thai people and culture!

I’ve wanted to travel to Thailand for a long time to experience the friendly culture, delicious food, and to immerse myself in the Thai way of life. Also, I love to scuba dive and hope to dive in my free time. I love to travel and had the opportunity to live in Brazil with family friends for six months as a child, but I have never been to Southeast Asia before. I expect that culture shock, the language barrier, and the time change will pose significant challenges this summer. I plan to mitigate these challenges by researching Thai culture, etiquette, and language; maintaining relationships with my friend and family and building new relationships with colleagues; and by adopting a positive attitude. This summer, I hope to push my personal boundaries, further develop my instructional skills, and have a great time meeting new people!

[Skye Miller]

Hey everyone! 👋 So excited to share that I’m planning on teaching abroad in Thailand! I’m a 23-year-old from the US, and honestly, the idea of experiencing a completely different culture while doing something meaningful like teaching just feels like the perfect adventure for me right now.
I’ve always been drawn to the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Thailand. Plus, the opportunity to immerse myself in a new way of life and connect with people from a different background is something I’m really looking forward to. I stumbled across some amazing stories online, people shared incredible insights into living and teaching in Thailand – it totally solidified my decision!
I’m definitely anticipating some challenges, like the language barrier (hello, youtube!😅), adjusting to a new climate and food, and maybe even feeling a little homesick at times. I’m planning on tackling the language bit by taking some extra classes and practicing as much as I can. For the cultural adjustments, I’m hoping to stay open-minded, do lots of research, and connect with other expats and locals for support and guidance.
Ultimately, I hope this experience will help me grow as a person, broaden my perspectives, and give me a deeper understanding of the world. I’m excited to learn about Thai culture, make lasting connections, and hopefully make a positive impact on my students’ lives.

[Shaun Goosen]

Hi everyone,
My name is Shaun Goosen. I’m 27-years-old and was born in Durban in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa. I completed high school in 2016 and went on to earn my Bachelor of Journalism degree from Rhodes University in 2021. Since then, I have worked as a freelance sports journalist, primarily focused on rugby union, as well as a sales representative for a chilli sauce company called Cheeky Chilli Sauce.
I’ve decided to move to Thailand to experience the rich cultural heritage of the country, and grow as an individual. Work is also hard to find in my home country and I am looking forward to the teaching opportunities Thailand has to offer.
I’m expecting to face many challenges in Thailand; from the language barrier to the new ways of life and society. However I am an open-minded person and am sincerely looking forward to accepting these challenges head on and doing my best to align myself with the Thai culture.
I hope to become a more well-rounded individual during my time in Thailand, and am looking forward to meeting new people and learning about different cultural traditions.
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sincerely,
Shaun.

[Victoria Swanwick]

Hello everyone,

My name is Victoria and I live in the South East of the UK. I currently work as a training manager in the health and social care sector but have had the desire to experience working as a teacher in Thailand for many years. I decided that this was the year to fulfill that goal!
I think that the main challenges for me will be adjusting to a whole new environment in Thailand and learning a new language and way of life. I think that going into this experience with an open heart and mind and a determination to do my best each day will enable me to surmount these barriers.
I’m really looking forward to meeting new people, exploring a new culture and creating value within the local community by teaching.

[Katelyn O’Gara]

Hiya everyone! My name is Katelyn O’Gara. I’m 22 years old and from west Ireland. I’ve just completed my undergrad, which incorporated 4 years of studying English and Geography. My plan was always to go into teaching, but have recently decided to change age groups and pursue teaching at a primary level. TESOL gives me the opportunity to get some classroom experience and travel stories while I prepare to enter my masters degree.
Backpacking Thailand has always been a popular thing to do in my area during the summer before you graduate. My friends and I were meant to be doing this, but because of money they all backed out. Teaching in Thailand is my safest bet to travel alone, as there is clearly many of us going, while also getting to really immerse in Thai culture and teach them just as much as they will teach me.
I am most excited about getting more classroom experience. I have previously been a classroom assistant and also involved with some sports coaching with underage teams back home, but I’m quite excited to play that role again and adapt to the TESOL classroom. I’m also excited to meet everyone!

[Brandon Pretty]

Hello,

My name is Brandon. Prior to this, I served for six years in the US Army as a Cavalry Scout and then as a Civil Affairs Specialist, the latter job bringing me into contact with a host of aid and teaching related programs. I graduated university with a BA in International Relations specializing in Asia and worked with Hazara refugees from Afghanistan for several years before doing a short stint as a legal instruments examiner.
Thailand was my second option, and I am generally interested in teaching. I think it will be a good place to test whether I can be a great teacher and thrive in a classroom environment. I also believe Thailand would be a decent location for my wife to find a job and for both of us to learn another language.
The challenges I expect to face are pay issues with whichever school decides to hire me, ensuring my wife’s visa is attainable, and getting a straight answer on where my housing will be in relation to the school. From speaking to others and my own experiences, this seems to be the most common issue that many new English teachers come across due to either poor communication or the belief that these teachers will only spend a single year, and are therefore expendable.
I hope to be able to prove to the school that I am not expendable, a great teacher and to provide a proper education for students. I understand the difficulties in learning a new language and how a boring classroom environment can make that all but impossible. I want to be able to thrive as an instructor and to make school a more exciting place.

[Dermot Fagan-Hall]

Hi everyone! My name is Dermot, I’m 22 and I’m from the United Kingdom. I will be arriving in Thailand next month to start my 6-month teaching programme – I can’t wait! I was fortunate enough to work with Xplore Asia in 2022 on summer break. On that 6 week programme, our group worked across many different schools in Thailand. After this experience, I knew that I wanted to work with children abroad! In summer 2023 and 2024 I worked in an international summer camp in Pakostane, Croatia, and last winter I worked as a Ranger for the Santa’s Lapland team in Lapland, Finland. I put all of this down to how much I loved my first time working away in Thailand – this is why I want to come back. The people you meet when you put yourself in these environments are so important, they make you feel at home which is vital when leaving your friends and family at home. The people of Thailand are so warm and welcoming and I can’t wait to return to the land of the smiles.

[Katelyn O’Gara]

Hi Dermot,
nice to meet you and see someone round the same age heading over to Thailand in the next month. While I’m doing the 2 month summer teach programme, I’m sure we’ll see each-other at orientation. Amazing that you already worked with Xplore. Love Croatia as well and nice to know there’s a summer camp there, I did my Erasmus semester there and seen so much of the country – might go back for that!
Best of luck!
Katelyn

[Victoria Swanwick]

My name is Victoria and I live in the South East of the UK. I currently work as a training manager in the health and social care sector but have had the desire to experience working as a teacher in Thailand for many years. I decided that this was the year to fulfill that goal!
I think that the main challenges for me will be adjusting to a whole new environment in Thailand and learning a new language and way of life. I think that going into this experience with an open heart and mind and a determination to do my best each day will enable me to surmount these barriers.
I’m really looking forward to meeting new people, exploring a new culture and creating value within the local community by teaching.

[Adriel Adibi]

Hello,

My name is Adriel Adibi and I’m an experienced marketing manager from Texas, United States. I have my bachelor’s degree in Business, Communication, and Psychology, I’m a certified health and physical education teacher, I’m a former professional & collegiate soccer player, and I have my soccer coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation. I have previously taught English in Thailand and it was one of the best experiences in my life. The country and the people were amazing. I got to teach and also studied muay Thai. During my time off, I had the opportunity to travel the country and visit some famous, historical sites. I look forward for the opportunity to teach again and to see more of the world.

[Casey Brady]

I’m Casey from the United States of America. I’m about to travel to Thailand, and I’ve always been intrigued by the friendly locals, the rich heritage, the delectable food, and the scenic sights of this nation. I’m looking forward to experiencing everything firsthand.
As much as I look forward to this experience, I also recognize there will be obstacles. I expect to experience culture shock and homesickness, and have a hard time adjusting as a picky eater. Being a little shy as well, putting myself in an unfamiliar situation may be challenging initially. These challenges are a means of personal growth, however. I will overcome them by keeping an open mind, taking small daily steps toward developing a taste for trying new things, and reminding myself that it’s acceptable sometimes not to be comfortable — it’s a sign of growing. I also hope to remain close to family and friends from home for support while developing new ones in Thailand.
Through this experience, I would like to expand my palate, be adventurous, taste new things, and immerse myself in Thai culture. I also want to learn the Thai language, become involved in the local community, and challenge my comfort level daily. Above all, I look forward to both personal and professional growth from this experience.

[Author]

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