ASSIGNMENT 1: INTRODUCTION

[Zara Dove]

Hi! My name is Zara, I’m 20 and from London, and have just finished my second year at the University of Oxford, studying Classical Archaeology and Ancient History. I have decided to take part in the programme because it’s an amazing opportunity for me to be able to go outside of my comfort zone and experience new things by being completely immersed in a new culture, while also gaining teaching experience. I’ve been to Thailand before as a tourist and loved it, and I’m excited to visit again in an entirely different context. I think that adapting to a different lifestyle as well as the language barrier will be challenging, but with an open mind, communication, and willingness to learn, it will be an interesting and exciting learning curve. I’m really looking forward to meeting new people, building a greater global understanding, and having a memorable and impactful experience!

[Natan Ornadel]

Hi, I’m Natan. I’m 20, I live in London and I’ve just finished my degree in History and Economics at Oxford University.

I’ve always enjoyed teaching (as a mathematics tutor), learning languages and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, so this programme with Gotoco was a no-brainer! I’ve also been keen to travel for a while, and I’m especially attracted to Thailand due to its cuisine and its reputation for being so friendly and welcoming. I’m also incredibly excited to train Muay Thai in Thailand.

I’m expecting to face some challenges with language since I don’t speak any Thai, though I’m hoping that I will pick some up over the duration of the programme. Further, I have never taught primary school age children so this will be a new challenge, however I hope to overcome this by keeping myself open to new teaching methods and approaches.

Above all, I am hoping to complete the programme having gained a greater appreciation for Thai culture beyond what is typically observed by tourists. I am also hoping to gain a deeper understanding of what teaching English as a second language is like and whether this is a career path I wish to pursue further.

[Ashley Forde]

Hi everyone, my name is Ashley, I am from London and I recently finished my Film and Television degree in the University of Hertfordshire. In terms of film, I am mainly interested in camera work and outside of film I also like photography. I’ve always loved to travel and immerse myself in new experiences, cultures and adventures. I love meeting new people and getting out of my comfort zone. This opportunity will allow me to gain transferable skills such as leadership, cross cultural communication, organisational and so much more. Though I haven’t taught or worked with groups of children before, I recognize that this endeavor may present challenges and moments of overwhelming uncertainty. However, I firmly believe that the overall experience gained through Gotoco will be both rewarding and life-changing.
During my time at university, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Singapore. This marked my first extended venture outside of the UK, and it was a transformative experience. It deepened my appreciation for Asian cuisine and culture, leaving me with an insatiable desire to explore further. I had the pleasure of visiting Thailand once before and was enthralled by the warm-hearted people, delectable food, and breathtaking scenery. Now, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to live in Asia once again, immersing myself as a local.
What truly excites me about this program is the prospect of making a meaningful impact. Teaching English abroad allows me to contribute to the lives of many young individuals. English, as a universal language, serves as a gateway to new possibilities for these students. Being a part of this process will undoubtedly be a fulfilling and enriching experience for both them and me.
I am genuinely thrilled to embark on this incredible journey and eager to contribute my skills and passion to this remarkable programme.

[Ashley Forde]

Hi Atthachai,

Your decision to participate in the English teaching programme through Gotoco in Thailand is truly commendable. Wanting to give back to the country of your birth and assisting children in preparing for our ever-changing, globalized world reflects your dedication to making a positive impact. Undoubtedly, stepping into the role of a teacher will present personal challenges and new responsibilities. However, your mindset of taking one breath, one step, and one day at a time demonstrates your resilience and ability to overcome obstacles. It’s inspiring to see your commitment to personal growth, both in shouldering these responsibilities and navigating the mental and emotional challenges that may arise. Your determination to improve your confidence while traveling abroad is admirable, and I have no doubt that you will flourish in this new environment. Wishing you the best of luck in your course, and may it be a fulfilling and transformative experience for you and the children you’ll be teaching. Keep embracing every opportunity and making a difference one step at a time!

[Emily Hare]

Hello I’m Emily. I’m half English, half German. I was born in Berlin, brought up in North Wales. I took a gap year before starting university where I inter-railed around Europe and did a ski season in the French alps. This was really my first taste at travelling. I then completed 4 years at University in Liverpool doing my Engineering Masters, and knew I wanted to go back for more. I left Europe for the first time and came to Asia, which is where I am currently!
Thailand has a large culture, beautiful landscape, and offers ways of life very different to the western world which I find inspiring and want to grow to learn better.
Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and learning a new role always comes with its challenges. However I believe as long as you give it your full attention you’ll be able to overcome these challenges.
I hope to really make an impact on the future of the children I teach, to open up doors and opportunities for them by bring them the English language. The ability to
Speak English today – especially with tourism is irreplaceable, and I would love to know I made a difference to the future of theses children and subsequently families by supporting them in this way.

[Liesel Taylor]

Hey everyone! My name is Liesel and I’m 24 from the south coast of the UK!
After finishing my studies at the University of Sussex 2 years ago, and completing my BA Degree in Media and Communications, I have spent the last year working in Marketing and Hospitality. I have travelled across the United States, Canada and Europe and am excited to venture out into Asia!
I have decided to undertake a volunteering experience as a Camp Counsellor for Xplore Asia to travel Thailand, meet new kinds of people, experience a new culture and help teach English to children.
I expect to encounter challenges that will better myself, in terms of language barriers and cultural differences. I intend to take on these challenges by immersing myself into Thai life and learning whilst also teaching!
I hope to meet amazing people, try new foods, and spent my 8 weeks discovering more about myself and what aspirations I have for a future career! Looking forward to this adventure 🙂

[Edvinas Cesnulis]

Hello everyone!
My name’s Edvinas but everyone calls me Ed. I’m originally from Lithuania and I study politics in the UK. I have finished my first year of a two-year master’s degree program at the University of Oxford. This summer I will teach children English in Thailand. I’m super excited about this opportunity and I want to learn as much as possible before actually coming there. I think the most challenging thing will be the language barrier. As long as you treat others equally and with respect, this barrier can be overcome. With nowadays’ technologies, it’s way much easier to communicate with people who don’t speak your language. I hope to interact with locals and find out about their daily life as well as religious or yoga practices more.

[Edvinas Cesnulis]

It’s lovely to have more people from Eastern Europe! I’m from Lithuania and I love Polish cuisine. Thai food is very different from our national food but I’m pretty sure we both will enjoy it. But it’s not about the food only, haha. The people in Thailand are known to be very friendly. I’m sure we’ll have a great time with Gotoco and the entire teaching experience in Thailand. Hope to meet you in person very soon.

[Niamh Walters]

Hello everybody, I’m Niamh! I’m a politics student in the UK, and I am embarking on a 9-week trip to Thailand to teach English to children. For one, Thai food is easily my favourite cuisine and with a rich culture, friendly people and fascinating language, I genuinely could not be more excited. While I completely expect the language barrier to become an issue at some point, I am fully dedicating myself to practising and learning as much of the language as I go, both beforehand and hopefully while I’m there. I hope to come out of this experience as a more independent, well-informed and confident version of myself, not to mention equipped with invaluable teaching experience that I intend to carry with me in potential future teaching endeavours.

[Lucy Dwight Beaumont]

Hi everyone, my name is Lucy!
I just finished my first year studying French and Arabic at University of Oxford. Over the summer, I will be travelling to Thailand as a part of Gotoco’s programme, where I will be teaching English in Thailand. Obviously I love to travel, and explore new languages and cultures, and teaching abroad has always been a goal of mine.
I feel like my main barriers will be adapting to a new culture and language so different to those that I am familiar with, and travelling to a new region that I am rather unfamiliar with. I will overcome this through opening myself up to the experience and getting to know people from a range of backgrounds and cultures, which will support me throughout the process.
I hope to develop a true understanding of Thai culture and history, as well as learning some of the language along the way, and having a profound impact upon the lives of others through my English teaching, inspiring others and also receiving inspiration from them.
I am so excited to undertake this journey and develop my skills along the way.

[Rosie Drury]

Hi! I’m Rosie and I have just finished my first year studying Anthropology and Archaeology at Durham University.
I was born in China but was adopted and raised most of my life in England, specifically Manchester, and have not travelled much since so am really looking forward to travelling to Thailand! I will be travelling to Thailand for 10 weeks over the summer to complete Gotoco’s programme to teach English as well as travelling around the country.
I love to explore new cultures and see how they are reflected in the area’s behaviours, beliefs, and material culture of the area so travelling to Thailand will be a great experience! I am really looking forward to this experience because of Thailand’s rich culture and the opportunity to teach English to students and hopefully make a positive impact.
I expect my main challenges to be adapting to the culture, especially being unable to speak Thai, but I will try to overcome this barrier by learning Thai and trying to immerse myself in daily life with locals. I hope to be able to improve the student’s English skills in a way that will encourage them and provide opportunities they may not have access to otherwise. I also hope to better understand and appreciate Thai culture and traditions.

[Rosie Drury]

Hi Jessica, I agree the time away from home will also be challenging for me, especially as Thailand is so far away and the time zone is so different! I also hope to get to know everyone and build a sense of community which will hopefully make homesickness much easier to manage!

[Adam Ali]

Hi everyone!

My name is Adam, I’m 23, and I just graduated from university. I eventually want to go back and get my master’s, but I want to see the world a bit before I do. I was born and raised in Canada but will be moving to Thailand for a year to hopefully try out a few life changes while I’m young and experience new things. So I decided to take a course in teaching and teach English there. The biggest challenge I’m going to have moving to Thailand is leaving my family behind, but they have assured me that they’ll be fine and want me to live my own life. What I hope to get out of this experience is a newfound appreciation for a vastly different culture as well as experiencing all of the beauty Thailand has to offer.

[Cristina Strahle]

My name is Cristina Strahle-Villagomez. ​I grew up in Ecuador in a city called Ambato, approximately a three-hour drive south of the capital city, Quito. While Ambato is unique in that it has a reputation for being full of fresh bread, fruits, and flowers; its culture is rather homogeneous. Most of the residents of Ambato speak the same language, share similar values, and come from many of the same ancestors. I moved to the United States at the age of sixteen to pursue my professional career.
One of the reasons to travel to Thailand is to learn more about its culture and traditions. As a language teacher, I understand the importance of understanding and appreciating other people and their practices.

One of the obstacles I might encounter could be due to my language barrier. I have never learned Thai and although sounds fascinating, I find it very difficult to imitate.

I hope to meet wonderful scholars, share my culture and language with others, and make meaningful connections with other team members.

[Niam Prisaca]

Hi, my name is Niam and I am a 19 year old Chemistry student at Durham University. I am originally from London and have fortunately had the privilege of being able to travel across the world from a young age.
I am travelling to Thailand as I am drawn to the country’s rich culture and warm hospitality, as well as the idea of learning to adapt to living in a rural area. I look forward to the challenge of teaching younger students, especially with the language barrier.
Out of this experience I want to personally grow and make memories, as well as develop my teaching skills.

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