ASSIGNMENT 1: INTRODUCTION

[Leigh Black]

Hello!!
My Name is Leigh, I’m 51 years of age & I’m from Scotland (UK). I have a BSc in Mechanical Engineering & I have worked in the Oil & Gas Industry for over 30 years, in the work shop, offshore & in the office. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to work in countries including Azerbaijan & Poland. It was during my years working overseas that my eyes were opened to different cultures & people there are across the world & understood the importance of speaking English to the people of these countries.
I have also travelled in Asia across Laos, Vietnam & Thailand the latter of which I have been many times since. Again during these travels I realized even more so the importance of learning English. In these countries, speaking English can provide so much more career opportunities in fields such as hospitality, medicine & engineering.
I am so excited in the opportunity I have given myself to teach English to students in the hope that I give them a chance for any future career they may choose.
I’m looking forward to embracing the Thai culture & meeting lots of new people both in & out of class.

[Leigh Black]

Hello!!
My Name is Leigh, I’m 51 years of age & I’m from Scotland (UK). I have a BSc in Mechanical Engineering & I have worked in the Oil & Gas Industry for over 30 years, in the work shop, offshore & in the office. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to work in countries including Azerbaijan & Poland. It was during my years working overseas that my eyes were opened to different cultures & people there are across the world & understood the importance of speaking English to the people of these countries.
I have also travelled in Asia across Laos, Vietnam & Thailand the latter of which I have been many times since. Again during these travels I realized even more so the importance of learning English. In these countries, speaking English can provide so much more career opportunities in fields such as hospitality, medicine & engineering.
I am so excited in the opportunity I have given myself to teach English to students in the hope that I give them a chance for any future career they may choose.
I’m looking forward to embracing the Thai culture & meeting lots of new people both in & out of class.

[Thomas McAlinden]

My name is Tom, I’m 25 and I’m from the north of England. Throughout my life I’ve tried my hand at many different jobs and roles but felt little satisfaction from many of them, so then it dawned on me, why not use the subject I actually excelled at in school (English) to forge a new life and career for myself as an English teacher in Cambodia. I had spent countless hours researching and reading about Cambodia in order to make my decision and I’m glad I did, it’s such a beautiful country boasting a rich heritage and a friendly, inviting culture. From this experience I’m hoping to better myself as both a human being and a professional in a fast paced and ever changing environment, during my training in Thailand I hope to become a teacher not only I, but my future students can be proud of and hope to make a positive and lasting impact on their lives. I don’t expect this journey to be easy by any measure, nor do I want it to be, I’m ready to face any challenges that may come my way with a smile on my face and a real eagerness to learn and adapt.

[Maranda McBride]

My name is Maranda McBride and I reside in North Carolina, USA. I hold a background in Industrial and Systems Engineering and serve as a university professor, teaching Operations Management courses in a College of Business. Throughout my career, I have developed a strong appreciation for global engagement, both academically and personally. As a former Study Abroad Coordinator for my college, I developed and led multiple faculty-directed programs in various countries. Additionally, I frequently travel internationally for conferences and for pleasure. In 2023, I received a Fulbright award to conduct research in Australia for four months – my first extended stay abroad – which significantly broadened my perspective.
My decision to pursue a teaching experience in Thailand is rooted in both professional and personal motivations. While I have visited Thailand in the past for a structured wellness retreat, I did not have the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the culture. I am now seeking a more meaningful and independent experience that allows for deeper cultural engagement. In preparation, I completed a 120-hour TEFL certification in 2025 and am eager to apply the instructional strategies I have learned in a classroom setting.
One of the primary challenges I anticipate is the language barrier. Effective communication is essential for cultural exchange and limited proficiency in the local language can present obstacles. To address this, I plan to rely on adaptive communication strategies, patience, and cultural awareness. My certification in Cultural Intelligence has equipped me with tools to navigate cross-cultural interactions thoughtfully and respectfully, which I expect will be valuable in overcoming such challenges.
Through this experience, I hope to achieve both personal growth and meaningful impact. I am motivated by a desire to equip students with English language skills that can expand their educational and professional opportunities. At the same time, I look forward to learning from my students and the broader community. I also hope to share aspects of my own culture in a way that fosters mutual understanding and challenges common stereotypes. Ultimately, I am excited about the opportunity to engage with students in creative and dynamic ways while contributing to their development and expanding my own global perspective.

[Maranda McBride]

Hello, Leigh!
I wanted to respond to your post because we share several similarities. I am also in my 50s and have a background in Engineering; however, my degrees are in Industrial Engineering. Like you, I have traveled abroad extensively, though I have not spent more than 10 days in any Asian country. While I am an educator, I have not previously taught English or worked at the pre-college level, so this will be a new experience for me as well. I am especially looking forward to both teaching younger students and immersing myself in Thai culture.
I hope we have the opportunity to meet in person.

[Jeffrey Martin]

Hello,. My name is Jeff. I’m a high school Social Studies teacher and soccer coach from Madison with a passion for history, culture, and international experiences. Ever since serving overseas earlier in my career, I’ve always wanted the opportunity to teach abroad and experience another educational system firsthand. This summer, I’m excited to take part in a teaching program in Thailand that allows educators to teach internationally during summer break. I’m looking forward to learning from a new culture, connecting with students from a different part of the world, and bringing those experiences back into my classroom.

[Temprest Myers]

Hello everyone!

My name is Temprest, I’m from Minnesota, USA currently residing in Baltimore, MD. I’m 33 years old and hold a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism and Communications and currently working on my Masters degree in special education. I have worked with children/youth from various different roles and environments. I’ve worked in special education as a teachers assistant. I’ve worked in group homes as a mentor, I worked in juvenile detention centers with troubled youth. I also have worked throughout Baltimore City Public School system as an Art Teacher.

I’ve decided to move to Thailand because after visiting in 2023, I fell in love with the culture and the people. I don’t expect any challenges other than language barriers and adjusting to the weather.

What I hope to gain from this experience is new friends, community and connections. I plan to stay a few years so I’d like to learn the Thai language as well.

[Irene Guercia]

Hi, my name is Irene and I’m originally from Italy, although I currently live in Spain. I finished my Master’s degree in Secondary Education and I have experience teaching languages both online and in person. I speak Italian, Spanish and English, and I really enjoy working in multicultural environments and helping people communicate with confidence in another language.

I decided to move to Thailand because I’ve always been passionate about discovering new cultures, meeting people from different backgrounds and stepping outside of my comfort zone. Growing up in a military family, I moved often and learned from a young age how to adapt to new environments and situations. Because of this, living abroad feels very natural to me, and I see this experience as both a personal and professional opportunity for growth.

Of course, I know there will be challenges along the way. Adapting to a completely different culture, language and lifestyle can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially at the beginning. However, I believe that being open-minded, flexible and patient helps a lot when facing new situations. I also see challenges as part of the learning experience and an opportunity to grow stronger and more independent.

Through this experience, I hope to grow as a teacher, gain confidence in an international classroom and build meaningful connections with students and people from around the world. I also hope to learn more about Thai culture, improve myself personally and create memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

[Vivien Szalaki]

Hello Everyone!
My name is Vivien Szalaki, and I am from Hungary. I am 38 years old and hold a Master’s degree in Law. I have also studied English and American Studies and am currently writing my BA thesis. I love languages and learning about new cultures.
In 2019, I spent a few months in Thailand and really liked my time here. I have decided to return to Thailand because I would like to become more immersed in its culture and continue my English teaching career.
I know that the biggest challenge will be the language barrier, and at the beginning, the weather. But I am sure that in a few weeks/ months, I can adapt to the weather. As for the language barrier, I am planning to learn Thai, so in time it will no longer be a problem.
From this opportunity, I hope to gain valuable teaching experience, personal growth, and many unforgettable memories.

[Mikayla McInnis]

Hello everyone, my name is Mikayla and I am from the United States. I am Jamaican and Trinidadian and I am so excited to travel to Thailand because I have always heard amazing things about it and I love to travel myself. I expect to face challenges with the language barrier. I do not know any Thai, however, I will do my best to learn common phrases and greetings to make my experience a smoother process. I hope to gain more appreciation for different cultures more than I already do, I hope to meet lifelong friends and colleagues after this is all said and done. But most of all, I hope to encourage the hearts of the learners and people around me.

[Nirel Dede Christianti]

Hi, I’m Nirel and I’m from Jakarta, Indonesia. Jakarta is a big modern city with convenient public transportation, and it’s a melting pot where you can meet people from all over Indonesia as well as foreigners from many different countries. Because of that, I feel like Bangkok has some similarities to my hometown, I haven’t gotten the chance to visit but that’s what I heard from other people, the public transportation is really helpful, so I think I would still feel close to home and within my comfort zone in some ways.

Living in Thailand would also bring exciting new challenges for me, especially the language barrier. Since I cannot read Thai yet, I know it will encourage me to learn basic phrases, how to communicate in daily life, how to buy things, and how to adapt more independently. I think this experience would help me grow as a person and become more open-minded.

This would also be my first experience living abroad, so I hope I can learn more about myself, experience a different culture, make new friends, and gain valuable life experiences from living in another country. I’m also very excited about the opportunity to continue learning and improving my teaching skills. I would love to refresh and strengthen my knowledge of classroom management and teaching methods. If I get the chance to teach outside my home country, it would be an exciting opportunity for me to apply the skills and knowledge I gained from this course.

[Zachary Pedersen]

My name is Zachary Pedersen, and I’m originally from Australia. I’ve always had a restless curiosity about the world, and after years of thinking about it, I finally took the leap and set off to explore Southeast Asia. Right now I’m traveling through the region, currently based in Nha Trang, Vietnam, and loving every chaotic, beautiful, humbling moment of it. Growing up in Australia gave me a comfortable life, but somewhere along the way I realised comfort wasn’t the same thing as fulfilment. I wanted to challenge myself, experience different cultures firsthand, and do something that actually made a difference not just to me, but to the people around me. That pull eventually pointed me toward Thailand and toward teaching English. Teaching feels like the right fit for this chapter of my life. Thailand has a strong demand for English teachers, and the idea of working directly with students helping them open doors through language genuinely excites me. It’s not just a job opportunity; it’s a way to embed myself in a community, give something back, and build a life with real meaning in a country I’ve been drawn to for a long time. That said, I’m going in with my eyes open. The language barrier is probably my biggest concern Thai is notoriously difficult, and I know I’ll make plenty of mistakes. I plan to tackle this head-on with a language course and by pushing myself to practice with locals rather than hiding in expat bubbles. Navigating the visa and work permit process is another hurdle, but I’ve already started researching and connecting with people who’ve done it before. The expat and teaching community in Thailand is huge, and I plan to lean on that network heavily in the beginning. What do I hope to get out of it? Honestly, everything. I want to grow as a person, develop real teaching skills, and experience Thai culture from the inside rather than just passing through as a tourist. I want to wake up somewhere that challenges me and inspires me at the same time. And if I can help a few students along the way feel more confident in English and more connected to the wider world that would mean more to me than anything I left behind at home.

[Joshua Cabanlong]

Background information about yourself
I’m Josh and I’m 37 years old. I’ve had many jobs over my life and look forward to my new adventure.

Why are you deciding to travel/move to Thailand?
To gain my TESOL certification so that I can teach English in Cambodia.

What challenges do you expect to face along the way and how do you expect to overcome them?
Language barriers may be one of the challenges. Technology will be helpful as soon as i download google translate on my phone.

What do you hope to get out of your experience?
Learning about new cultures and mindsets.

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