Assignment 1: Introduction

Hi everyone,
My name is Kiri, I’m 20 and I’ve just finished my second year studying Sociology and Education at the University of York. I decided to take part in this programme because of the opportunities it provides for gaining teaching experience as well as allowing me to travel- combining two of my greatest passions. I’m really looking forward to using my prior experience working with children through my volunteering within schools and clubs in England, within Thailand and embracing a new culture and way of living. I think the main barriers I’m likely to encounter during my time are adapting to using another language which I am unfamiliar with and potentially homesickness but I believe that these barriers can be overcome through time.
Whilst doing my Education degree, I have learnt lots of theory and it will be interesting to see how the approach is similar and different within Thailand, I am hoping this experience will solidify for me that I do want to become a teacher and use skills I learnt to travel and teach at the same time. I’m really looking forward to making the most of this experience and getting to teach students as well as meeting new people from diverse backgrounds and hopefully making some new friends and amazing memories.

Hello,
I’m Mohammed, a soon-to-be graduate from Scotland. I’m 22 years old, and I have decided to travel to Thailand because I’d like to leave my comfort zone, and learn more about Thai culture. I have always heard from others how great Thailand is and I would like to experience that first-hand. I’m excited to begin teaching, as it will allow me to improve my presentation and communication skills, and I’m also really excited to begin learning Thai and building relationships with the locals.
I expect that language barrier may be a challenge at the start, however, I plan on tackling this challenge by focusing my efforts on learning Thai, so that I can connect with locals on a deeper level.
By the end of the programme, I aim to have a good understanding of Thai culture, the country, and the language, and I aim to have made some good friends along the way.

Hi everyone. My name is Konrad and I’m from Hertfordshire in the UK. I graduated from the University of Sheffield last summer after studying Journalism there for three years. I then went on to travel South East Asia for two months, visiting Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. This was a fantastic experience for me and I fell in love with that part of the world, Thailand being a particular highlight. However, I ended my trip feeling as if I had only scratched the surface of the countries I visited so I am going to teach English in Thailand in order to truly immerse myself in the culture and also give something back to the community there. Teaching will be a completely new experience for me and is nothing to do with my degree so I am sure it will be challenging at times, particularly due to the language barrier. Nonetheless, I am very excited to tackle this head-on and hope to have a basic understanding of Thai by the time I arrive at my school. I am most looking forward to simply meeting new people and making new memories, while hopefully leaving behind a positive impact on the children I teach.

Hello Everyone! My name is Salah, I’m 22 years old and I’m from London, England.

As a recent university graduate, I find myself brimming with excitement as I embark on a new chapter of my life in Thailand. The allure of immersing myself in a vibrant and richly diverse culture while pursuing my passion for teaching English has always captivated me. I have long cherished the idea of teaching abroad as an adventure that would offer me the chance to broaden my horizons and gain invaluable experiences. In this journey, my primary goals extend beyond imparting knowledge; I aspire to forge lasting friendships with individuals from all corners of the globe and delve deeper into the intricacies of teaching in an international setting. I also eagerly anticipate the opportunity to discover new perspectives, learn from different educational systems, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Hello, my name is Poppy. I have recently graduated from Newcastle University with a BA (Hons) in History and Politics. I am from the UK and have grown up there, however, I have also lived in Uganda in Africa and enjoy travelling to different places worldwide. My reason to take part in this programme stems from my love of travelling and the amazing opportunity to explore new cultures and meet people from all sorts of backgrounds. I am excited to fully immerse myself in Thailand’s culture and learn the language, customs and rituals of the people there. I am also looking forward to teaching children in Thailand, as an older sister myself, I love to tell stories to younger children and make teaching a fun experience for them and for me too! I think the biggest barrier that I will have to overcome is the fact I am solo travelling for the first time which can be daunting however being in the programme relieves some of that pressure. I am really looking forward to meeting the rest of the team and pushing myself to face new challenges within the programme. I am hoping to gain more knowledge of the culture of Thailand as well as learning the language and I am grateful to be gaining key teaching skills that I will be able to use in the future. I can’t wait to join the programme and meet everyone.

Thank you and all the best,

Poppy

Hi! My name is Lilli Bou and I’ve just finished my second year studying History at the University of Bristol! Born and raised in England to a White British father and British-born Chinese mother, I have had a multicultural childhood that I think, and hope, has enriched my perspective as an individual of mixed heritage. Travelling has always been vitally important to me. While I am lucky to have relatives around the world, exploring other unfamiliar cultures, languages and foods has always been fascinating and incredibly exciting! I love taking photos to capture the memories, and always enjoy visiting local markets to try the street food! Thus, Thailand is the next perfect destination!
Since the age of 13, I have taught piano to young children (ages 6-16 approx.) and always enjoyed teaching, finding it incredibly rewarding despite the long hours which are ultimately made worth it when a pupil achieves a graded certificate or just has that “eureka” moment when they finally understand a tricky rhythm or a complicated scale. Joining Gotoco’s English teaching program, I wish to expand upon my teaching skills, seeing if I enjoy the experience and could potentially put these skills to use career-wise for the future! I also wish to do something proactive in the local communities I will be joining, and hopefully aid my school’s children in increasing their English skills! To experience the local culture first-hand will be an extraordinary adventure that I cannot wait to begin – but I realise it will be challenging, especially with the language barriers and my personal confidence. I hope to embrace these however, taking mistakes in my stride and pushing forward to learn from them, adapt and persevere. I also hope to meet more people, make some friends/colleagues and experience new customs and foods on the journey together! I cannot wait to get started, and feel like this is the start of something special!

Hello,
My name is Pavan, and I am a final year student studying engineering in Scotland. I have always been fascinated by different cultures and the personal growth that comes with stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
I have decided to travel to Thailand because I believe that exposure to different cultures is a valuable way to broaden my horizons and enhance my personal development. Thailand, with its rich history, vibrant traditions, and warm hospitality, presents a perfect opportunity for me to immerse myself in a completely new cultural experience.
One challenge I anticipate facing during my time in Thailand is the language barrier. To overcome this, I am determined to learn as much Thai as possible. I aim to dedicate time and effort to language studies, attending classes and utilizing language learning resources. Additionally, I plan to practice speaking with locals, which will not only improve my language skills but also help me connect with the people and culture on a deeper level.
Another challenge I expect to encounter is being out of my comfort zone. Moving to a new country can be intimidating, but I view it as an incredible opportunity for personal growth. I intend to embrace this challenge by being open-minded, adaptable, and proactive in seeking new experiences. By stepping outside my comfort zone, I believe I can develop resilience, independence, and a greater understanding of the world around me.
From my experience in Thailand, I hope to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Thai culture, traditions, and way of life. I aspire to forge meaningful connections with the local community, learn about their customs, and engage in cultural activities. Furthermore, I aim to enhance my language skills, specifically in Thai, and become conversational. Overall, I look forward to personal growth, broadening my perspectives, and creating lasting memories that will shape me into a more well-rounded individual.