Assignment 1: Introduction

Hi! My name is Teresa, and I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Prior to coming to Thailand, I was an animal care manager at a non-profit animal shelter. I have always wanted to live abroad and traveling feels more like home. Volunteering in Indonesia and Sri Lank are my favorite memories, and I am excited to be back in SEA. I had never been to Thailand prior to coming for my TEFL certification and to teach for a year but am excited to continue to learn more about the culture. I anticipate that the biggest challenges will be missing my dog back home and overcoming the challenges and unknowns of moving to another country, trusting myself and the process will be important to me overcoming these challenges but that’s also a big part of the experience. While not knowing where or what you’ll be doing next can be a little scary, it’s also so exciting! I look forward to the growth that comes with doing something completely new.

Hello everyone, my name is Gabriel Watkins. I’m from Louisiana, USA. I used to live abroad in Spain doing my masters program and realized I want to continue living abroad to gain more and more experience. This is what has pushed me to pursue Thailand. I expect to face challenges related to language barrier, diet changes and adjustments, as well as cultural adjustments. I expect to over come them by immersiving myself in the culture and entering with an open heart and mind. I want to get out of this experience developed language skills, more knowledge and experience with ESL teaching, and a new perspective of the world.

Hello my name is Abbie Knoff and I am from the United States and will be moving to Thailand soon. I am 25 years old and have a dog named Scruffy who us joining me on the journey. I decided to move to Thailand as I was wanting to explore more of Asia and would like to learn more about the culture and what better way to do that than to live and work there and immerse myself in the culture. I am expecting to be a little homesick but with my dog coming and the promise of family coming to visit I am excited to go. I hope to be able to learn more about Thai culture and to be able to bring happiness along the way with my job.

Hello. My name is Sandy. I am originally from the United States but left a few years ago. I worked in healthcare for many years and now I am retired from that career and have begun a teaching career. I have lived in the US, Bermuda and Europe. I have never been to Asian and have always wanted to explore this area. Thailand was rated highly as a place to live so I choose it based on reviews. I hope to learn about the cultures in the different parts of Asia and see how I might be able to implement some of the ways of life into my own lifestyle. I will also help teach children how to speak English which I am very happy to do.

Hello everyone.

My name is Neil and I’m from the UK. I have worked in China as an English teacher for 7 years and just completed my CertTesol. I studied English Language & Literature at University and I enjoy studying languages. I studied Japanese and visited the country several times and of course I have learned Chinese from living and working in China.

I visited Thailand in February of this year and instantly fell in love with the culture. I looked into opportunities to teach there and immediately asked all my co-workers who had worked in Thailand before. They all said it was great, friendly people, good food, lots of things to do. Personally, I feel moving to Thailand will be a great opportunity for my career and personal growth.

Luckily, I am accustomed to adjusting when moving to a new country, and I know I will have to learn the correct customs, manner and language to use in different situations. I am already willing to learn the language to help me overcome potential problems and I was so excited to get the email for starting this course because I know it will help me to be more prepared. As a teacher, I would aim to be cooperative and integrate with the community and make some friends too.

I hope to develop as a teacher and continue to study whilst I am working in Thailand. I’m really looking forward to making friends, learning Thai, and teaching!

My name is Britta, I am 23 years old and I am from the United States. I have a degree in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Early Childhood. I am deciding to move to Thailand to teach English. I love teaching and want to travel, so combining the two sounds like a great experience! I expect to face cultural challenges during my time in Thailand. I expect to over come these challenges by continuing to educate myself through online resources, instructors during my trainings and from local people I meet. I expect to face challenges in the school setting as the Thai school system is different than what I am used to in the US. I plan to overcome these challenges by having an open mind in the school setting, asking questions, and observing other teachers. I hope to gain valuable skills that I can apply to my career as a teacher, and to grow personally and professionally. I also hope to meet other English teachers and locals. I hope to travel all around the country and neighboring countries during my time there.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by Britta Salquist.

Hello Everyone!
My name is Gislene, and I’m originally from Brazil. I’ve always loved the English language, and becoming fluent was a dream of mine. When I was 25, I got the chance to come to the United States through an au pair program. Before that, I worked at an accounting office in Brazil and took English classes.
I stayed with my host family for two years, and they were wonderful. My host dad had taught English abroad and met his wife in Czechoslovakia, which inspired me even more.
Later, I earned an associate degree in Business Administration and hope to continue my studies with a bachelor’s degree—though I’m still deciding on the field.
I lived in Michigan for 12 years before moving to Florida to join the Grasses in Classes program with AmeriCorps and the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance. I taught environmental lessons to third and fifth graders and helped with restoration projects in the Choctawhatchee Bay. It was a great way to combine my love for teaching and nature.
In Florida, I met many Brazilians who didn’t speak English. I naturally started helping them, and they encouraged me to teach. That led me to join another AmeriCorps program with Youth Villages in Douglasville, Georgia—a residential center for children and teens. I tutored students and led a service-learning project on the global water crisis. That six-month experience was truly life-changing.
Back in Florida, my friends kept motivating me to teach English. I used my AmeriCorps Segal Award to take a TEFL course at Florida State University, where I also completed an internship. My instructor was from South Korea, which made the experience even more exciting. After graduating, I started teaching my friends right away—it felt amazing to help them and see their progress.
Why Thailand?
Thailand has always been a dream destination for me. I was so happy and grateful to be accepted into a paid internship program to teach there. I’m fascinated by the country’s beauty, culture, and connection to Buddhism, and I feel drawn to explore it more deeply.
I know I’ll face challenges like the language barrier, adjusting to a new environment, and learning how to be an effective teacher in a new culture. But I plan to stay positive, ask for help when I need it, and believe in myself. I’m ready to embrace every part of the journey—even the awkward moments!
I hope to grow as a person and as a teacher. I want to make a difference, share my love for English, and connect with my students. I’m excited to make new friends, overcome fears, and experience everything Thailand has to offer—from its culture and people to its beautiful landscapes.

Hi!!!! My name is LsTeifa, I am 34 years old and originally from the US. I come from a background in education. I have always been passionate about learning new cultures and broadening my horizons, which is why I’ve decided to travel to Thailand. The main reason for this move is my desire to experience a different way of life, immerse myself in Thai culture, and perhaps explore opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Thailand’s rich traditions, beautiful landscapes, and welcoming people make it an ideal place for me to learn and grow. I expect to face challenges such as language barriers, adapting to cultural differences, and being away from my family and familiar surroundings. To overcome these, I plan to take language classes, stay open-minded, and connect with local communities to build meaningful relationships. Through this experience, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of Thai culture, develop new skills, and build lasting memories that will shape my future personally and professionally.