Assignment 1: Introduction

Hi All,
My name is Dominic Spilotro. I was born and raised in Chicago. I recently graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Marine Biology and Ecology. Eventually, I hope to go back to school and continue my undergraduate studies in coral research with hopes of pursuing future academic research. As the degree entails, I love my time by the water or out and about in nature. When I was in South Florida, I enjoyed snorkeling, paddleboarding, and just about anything along the water. I hope to use my history working as a naturalist and with beach cleanup projects to help connect the local community with the beach in their own backyard. I also enjoy urban exploring. Whether that be traversing through crowded downtown, combing through historical museums that contextualize surroundings, talking with locals, I believe the small details of a city give a city its personality. I am looking forward to seeing the differences in people across heavily populated, historical cities, and spacious rural jungle canopies.

I chose to go to Thailand for a variety of reasons. A professor of mine told me to experience the world as much as possible before you are tied down by anything. I took this as an opportunity to build perspective and, while I am 22 years old, build beliefs that I can carry with the rest of my lifetime. Thailand was most fascinating because of the historical impact of Buddhism rooted in the country combined with the wide natural biodiversity witnessed across the country. This combines my values of furthering my personal knowledge as a naturalist and a humanist. I was raised in the United States, and surrounded by a society mostly surrounded by christian ideals. I want to see how Buddhist beliefs translate in every aspect of life. The opportunity to teach gives me one on one contact with the kids and the life values showcased in the way they carry themselves. Lastly, I am planning on going with my childhood best friend Painton, traveling and teaching in Thailand together gives us the opportunity to experience as much as possible with each other before life potentially drags us on our separate ways. Integrating ourselves into a new community will give us a final opportunity to spend most days with each other while we integrate into the new community around us.

I am a momentum and routine driven person. If my schedule is healthily full, room is clean, and routine is consistent, I can thrive. That being said, I am moving to a new continent (let alone country) that I haven’t been to before, and have no idea of the local knowledge outside of the books and coursework we have done thus far. Integration into a routine will be a challenge, and that comes with time. I will need to be patient and consistently put my best foot forward, while trusting in those around me and asking questions when I need to.

The language barrier is also a moderate concern. I know I can get by with English overseas, but its a matter of to what extent, and how quickly can I learn key phrases to help make Thailand feel more like home and not a stop by destination.

My ultimate measure of success is how well I integrate myself into the community. I would like to know everyone from my grocery to local favorite restaurant owners on a first name basis by the end. Make a positive impact on the community, and set positive momentum in my class and those around me going forward. My success will be measured in the homeliness sentiment that I leave Thailand with.

My name is Dane Klein, and I come from the USA. I have always been passionate about exploring new cultures and expanding my worldview through travel and immersive experiences. I made the decision to travel to Thailand to not only discover its vibrant culture, food, and landscapes, but also to challenge myself by stepping out of my comfort zone.

Hello everyone!
My name is Kim Ooi and I’m from the UK. I hold a BA degree in Business Administration, an MA in Information Management and the CELTA qualification. I’ve had a pretty varied career. I’ve worked in retail, in the public library service, in office administration and in telecommunications. I decided to go into TEFL after being made redundant in the wake of the worldwide financial crisis and taught English in China for over 11 years.

When I first decided to go into TEFL, I dreamed of spending some years in each of Asia’s 5 TEFL hotspots – China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea. But then I got too comfortable in China and even managed to date a few ladies there so I ended up staying longer than planned. Now that the TEFL industry in China is in decline, I am looking to continue my teaching career in another country. I hope to teach in Thailand because I’ve been there before as a tourist and liked the friendliness and culture of the Thai people.

There is no doubt that there will be challenges to be overcome in Thailand, the most obvious one being the language barrier. I also get lost rather easily in unfamiliar places. I foresee also having to adapt to teaching and learning styles in Thailand. I am sure that a translation app and GPS on my phone will solve the first two problems. As for the last one, I hope that a supportive training regime and a local co-teacher will help to bridge the gap between me and my students.

First and foremost, I hope for a stable and long-term career as a teacher in Thailand. Secondly, I look forward to meeting new people and making many new friends. Thirdly, I hope that the experience will broaden my horizons and allow me to develop new teaching skills. Finally, I hope to be able to explore the beautiful country of Thailand.

Hi everyone! My name is Jaida and I’m coming from Vancouver, Canada with a degree in linguistics. I decided to head over to Thailand because I have always loved traveling the world and no matter how many places I go, Thailand has always been my favourite. Some challenges I expect to face are definitely with making new friends and getting used to a new daily routine, but I am eager to step out of my comfort zone and be active with trying all sorts of new things to meet people and help settle in. While in Thailand, I hope to gain the ability to speak to locals in Thai, learn more about Thai culture, and build connections with everyone I meet!

My name is Mason Atkinson, I’m 26 years old and originally from Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. I have a degree in Theatre and Performance for the University of Central Lancashire.
Thailand has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old, when I first visited, and since then I have returned six times. Each trip has only deepened my appreciation for the country, its culture, and its people, and this strong connection has inspired me to take the step of moving there.

I’ve chosen to relocate to Thailand because it feels like more than just a place I visit, it feels like a second home. The warmth of the people, the richness of the traditions, and the balance of modern life alongside deep cultural roots all resonate strongly with me.

Of course, I expect challenges along the way. Adapting to a new lifestyle, learning the language more fluently, and navigating cultural differences may take time and patience. However, I see these as opportunities for growth. By keeping an open mind, embracing the learning process, and leaning on the friendships and connections I make, I am confident I can overcome these challenges.

Ultimately, I hope this experience allows me to grow personally and professionally while building a deeper understanding of Thailand beyond what is possible as a visitor. My goal is to integrate myself into the community, gain new perspectives, and continue to nurture the love I’ve had for the country since childhood.

Hello,
I am Linda, I am from the US, borne in Nevada, but have lived in Montana most of my adult life. I have a BA and MA in Education. I have been in the field of education for 20+ years both as a teacher and as an administrator. I have decided to spend the next few years traveling and teaching. Hopefully bringing my skills to a new level and bringing the joy of learning to the classroom in Thailand.

I love to experience new cultures and immersing myself into the everyday life of the countries I have lived in. I find the challenges invigorating and meaningful. I think the language will be the biggest obstacle for me to overcome. However I plan to face this challenge head on and take advantage of every opportunity to fully immerse myself in the ways of the Thai people.

Hello,
My name is Myla. I am 23 years old and I am from New York, US. I have a bachelor’s degree in Child Studies and History, and I currently work as a substitute teacher. I decided to travel to Thailand after watching a Thai series and getting to learn about bits of Thai culture through the series. As I love learning about different cultures, I thought it would be a great experience to travel to Thailand to learn about the culture firsthand while also teaching. A challenge I expect to face is adjusting to the differences between teaching in American classrooms and Thai classrooms. How I expect to overcome this challenge is by being willing to learn new teaching methods and being open to how Thai classrooms operate. What I hope to get out of this experience is immersing myself in the Thai culture.