Our Beloved King

by Jon | Jan 22, 2017 | XploreAsia News, Living in Thailand | 0 comments

December 5^th marks a special holiday in Thailand, Father’s Day! It is celebrated nationwide to recognize the contribution that fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children. This also marks the birthday anniversary of Thailand’s beloved King Rama IX – King Bhumibol.

King Bhumibol was seen as a father figure to Thailand and Thai people celebrate this occasion on a grand scale to show gratitude to their beloved King, who is “more than a monarch.”

From the day His Majesty the King ascended to the throne as King Rama IX, words cannot describe the immense kindness and compassion he demonstrates toward the people of Thailand. King Bhumibol has continuously devoted himself to the improvement of the nation and the people that call it home. He is regarded as a symbol of unity and social harmony in Thai society. Reigning as King for exactly 70 years and 127 days, we celebrate this beloved father.

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As we celebrate the life of King Bhumibol, which is actually pronounced Pu-mee-pon. Meaning ‘Strength of the land, incomparable power’, we look back on his early life and how a young boy became one of Thailand’s most beloved King’s.

Born on December 5, 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, King Bhumibol is the only monarch ever born in the United States.

His father, Mahidol Adulyadej, studied medicine at Harvard and his mother, Princess Srinagarindra née Sangwan Talapat, a nurse. Bhumibol was the youngest of three children with an older sister Princess Galyani Vadhana and an older brother, Prince Ananda Mahidol.

After his fathers death in 1929 the family returned to Thailand when Bhumibol was around 2 years old. Bhumibol’s mother took him, his older brother Ananda and sister Galyani to live in Lausanne, Switzerland.

King Bhumibol’s brother became King in 1935 after their uncle Prajadhipok abdicated the throne, making his 9 year old brother Ananda the King.

After mourning his brother’s death and assuming the role of king in 1946, Bhumibol made the bold decision to return to Switzerland to continue his studies. Originally majoring in science at Luasanne University, he switched to law and political science to better prepare for the demands of his reign.

“I have to leave this capital and leave you because it is essential that I re-create myself,” he said in a radio address before his departure

While in Switzerland, Bhumibol’s met Sirikit Kitiyakara, the daughter of the Thai ambassador to France. The couple married in Bangkok a week before his coronation on May 5th, 1950, and spent their honeymoon in Hua Hin. They went on to have three daughters and a son. Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and Princess Chulabhorn Walailak.

Bhumibol is often referred to as King Rama IX in English, however many Thais referred to him as Nai Luangor Phra Chao Yu Hua, which translated to “the King” and “Lord Upon our Heads”. He was also called Chao Chiwit “Lord of Life”.

Heart of The Nation: 5 Ways King Bhumibol Transformed Thailand

As the world’s longest serving head of state, King Bhumibol is enormously popular and so highly revered in Thailand, regarded as the heart of the nation.

King Bhumibol was a tireless worker with a kind heart and superior devotion to the people of Thailand. His accomplishments within 70 years are insurmountable, with his majesty receiving over 2000 honorary doctorates, initiating and developing over 4,000 development projects, both in rural and urban areas, and registering 20 patents and 19 trademarks under his name with some earning international awards.

His efforts to improve the life and state of Thailand are clearly evident in his work that far exceeded his kingly duties. He was an inventor, philosopher, professional painter, photographer, Jazz musician, composer, engineer, architect, book author and translator, an inventor and a visionary thinker. Here are 5 ways King Bhumibol transformed Thailand:

Developed the royal rainmaking technology

This technology took the form of cloud-seeding, a method whereby pilots disperse environmentally friendly chemicals to form cool and warm clouds at different altitudes in order to induce rain over drought-stricken areas. This was dubbed the “super sandwich”.

Industrialized the Chai Pattana wastewater aerator

With an effort to reduce the level of water pollution Bhumibol developed an irrigation system using a Thai-made aerator to treat polluted water by adding air.

Introduced ‘Doi Kham’ Royal Project

A rural farm development project aimed to provide income for Northern Hill Tribes by employing people who might otherwise be unemployed, and produce an amazing variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers for the commercial market.
The word “doi” means “hill” while the word “kham” is a shortened word for “thongcome” which means “gold”.

Designed a system of small ‘Monkey Cheek’ dams to regulate water flow

An initiative to prevent annual flooding in Bangkok by featuring reservoirs along the borders of the city to which surging water was diverted and later flushed into the sea or used for irrigation.

Conceived the philosophy of ‘Sufficiency Economy’

A philosophy based on the fundamental principle of Thai culture. It is a method of development based on moderation, practicality, and social immunity.
Sufficiency Economy encourages producers and consumers to produce or consume within the limit or limitation of existing income or resources.

“Economic development must be done step by step. It should begin with the strengthening of our economic foundation, by assuring that the majority if our population has enough to live on.”

Thailand’s beloved King Rama IX – King Bhumibol, family

Thailand’s beloved King Rama IX – King Bhumibol

King Rama XI has for many years captivated the world with his ability to lead an extraordinary life independent from his kingly duties.

It was during his earlier years in Lausanne, Switzerland where Bhumibol became interested in music. He began piano lessons that lead to a love for jazz music, into which he also began playing the trumpet, clarinet, and saxophone. At the age of 18 Bhumibol begin composing his own pieces and over several years he had composed over 50 songs, including a three-movement ballet previewed in Vienna and songs that are still frequently heard in Thailand. He also composed songs that were featured in the Broadway musical, Peepshow.

At 8 years old Bhumibol was given his first camera, a Coronet Midget. It was said that this Coronet never left his hands, as he developed a passion for photography and the arts. King Bhumibol was a professional self-taught artist, creating surrealistic oil pieces, along with sculptures, abstract and contemporary pieces, and frequently drew pictures of the Queen.

He was also an author, creating literature that spoke to his personal life and the life of the Thai people. One of his pieces was inspired from a beloved stray dog that he had adopted named Thongdaeng. Not surprisingly, he was also an avid sportsman, winning a gold medal at the SEAP Games in 1967 as a rather accomplished sailor and navigator.

King Bhumibol was a lifelong advocate of education. As an extremely well-educated man, he saw the importance of educating the people of Thailand, particularly those from poor and rural areas.

“Education is for everyone and endless. It is not one’s duty in any particular time. We have to learn since we are born. Once we reach higher education we still have to continue learning, otherwise we cannot survive.”

This message was crucial, as educating the populace is an important part of the development of Thailand. For example, by learning English, Thai people can get higher-level jobs in the business sector. They can then spend their salaries in their communities, supporting local business owners and the Thai economy as a whole. Those business owners can then afford to send their children to school to learn English, creating a cycle of growth.

We here at XploreAsia hope to honor the King’s legacy by educating and placing capable, compassionate English teachers throughout Thailand. We want to encourage our teachers to serve as positive role models and valuable members of their communities.

“In order to develop the nation, one should have not only knowledge but other necessary qualifications. These include being ashamed to commit a sin, honest in thought and action, grateful to the country and benefactors, unselfish, unwilling to exploit others, but being good hearted and kind to others.”

What They Don’t Tell You About Being a Foreigner in Thailand

by Jon | Jan 22, 2017 | Living in Thailand, XploreAsia News | 0 comments

Before I arrived in Thailand, a lot of people told me about their positive experiences in the country. I heard about the breathtaking beaches, the friendly locals, and the stunning temples. I found all of their stories to be completely true. Thailand has fully lived up to my high expectations! However, there are a lot of other things that happen as a foreigner in Thailand that none of these people mentioned.

You will often be stared at, and may even have your picture taken.

On our first day in Hua Hin, the other interns and I got into our first songtaew (local bus) to head to the mall. One of the other girls mentioned that someone was taking our picture. Since then, I’ve grown used to being an object of interest, and have come to enjoy when a stranger says “Hello!” to me in their best English. I have had my picture taken on beaches and in front of the Embassy to the Philippines in Bangkok, for no other reason than that my friends and I are farangs (foreigners). My personal favorite was when one of my co-workers here at XploreAsia informed me that I was the Facebook cover photo for a local salon. If you have ever wondered what it is like to be famous, you can get a small taste of it by simply moving to Thailand.

My claim to fame: the photo from the salon's Facebook page

People will be kind, unbelievably kind.

I had heard that the people of Thailand were friendly and generally lovely. However, this did not prepare me for the amount of generosity and kindness I have experienced here in Thailand. There is a woman at a café in town who not only makes delicious juices and Thai green curry, but has offered to let the other interns and I practice Thai with her. When my friend had to go to the hospital with an injured foot, the taxi driver took us all the way to our front door. A tuk tuk driver who drove us back from the mall helped us load our groceries into our apartment. Strangers in Bangkok have offered directions to me when I looked lost on the street, a kindness that in my experience is rarely seen in large cities. One of the most meaningful moments of kindness for me took place at a staff dinner for XploreAsia. Mae, the office mother and all-around V.I.P., made sure that, as a vegetarian, I had enough to eat, passing down dish after dish of delicious vegetables and rice. In that moment, I felt so cared for. That is a feeling you rarely get from strangers in America, and one I truly appreciate experiencing so often in Thailand.

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My roommate, Angelique, and I with a new Thai friend. He liked us more than his facial expression suggests!

You can treat yourself without spending a fortune.

Before coming to Thailand, I was aware of the low cost of living here. I knew that food was easily a fifth of the cost it is at home in the U.S., and that other products were similarly affordable. What I did not realize, however, was how affordable spa treatments are here. At home, I never got massages because I found the cost prohibitive. Here, I can get an hour-long Thai massage for less than the cost of a movie back home. Pedicures can be even cheaper, costing about as much as a nice cup of coffee. After a hike or a long day at work, there is nothing better than popping into one of the many fantastic spas in Thailand to get pampered for an hour or two.

You will eat a lot of foods that you have never seen before. You will love them.

Most people in the West have some concept of Thai food. Back home I loved pad Thai, pineapple fried rice, and deep fried tofu. I was pleased to learn all of these dishes are widely available in Thailand, and even more delicious than those at my local Thai restaurant. I had no idea of the full range of delicious foods available here. I’ve eaten all kinds of fruit that I have never seen in the U.S., and each one was more delicious than the last. I often go to restaurants or food stands and simply say mang saw wee rat, the Thai phrase for vegetarian. I will then eat whatever the vendor gives me, and I have yet to be disappointed. My favorite is tom yum soup, which is always made to perfection at a small café on Soi 51. Generally these meals only cost between 30 and 60 baht, which is one or two U.S. dollars.

There are street dogs and cats everywhere.

Walking around Hua Hin, you are bound to see a few stray dogs and cats. Most of them will leave you alone, and some of them are even friendly. My street is home to a very sweet cat that my roommate and I have named McGonagall. Unfortunately, many of these animals have tough lives. It can be heartbreaking to see dogs with injured legs and stubbed tails. Luckily, there is a way to help these dogs. XploreAsia has a wonderful partner organization called Rescue Paws, which works to help care for, feed, and sterilize these street dogs and cats. With XploreAsia, I have been fortunate enough to spend some time at Rescue Paws, and the work they are doing is truly amazing. If you are interested in donating or volunteering at Rescue Paws, you can visit their website here.

You will change and grow in ways you didn’t expect.

If you stay open, you will experience many new and wonderful things in Thailand. You will learn about a beautiful and fascinating culture. It’s not always easy. Some days I struggle with the language, or figuring out how to get around. All of these struggles have helped me grow as a person. I have gained greater empathy for non-English speakers back home, and confidence that I can always find my way back eventually. Traveling to Thailand offers not only adventure, but the opportunity to truly widen your worldview and grow.

Rescue Paws, volunteer, foreigner, Hua Hin, adventure

Holding one of the adorable residents of Rescue Paws!

Mary Leonard is an intern at XploreAsia. You can follow her adventures in Thailand on her blog, Wide Eyes and Wanderlust

The XploreAsia Blog – Teach Abroad – A Myanmar Adventure

by Jon | Jan 21, 2017 | Living in Myanmar, XploreAsia News | 0 comments

An English Teaching Adventure in the City of Gold - Yangon, Myanmar

Justin Ruhe

“Hello Sir, how are you today?” A thick Myanmar accent rang from far in the corners of my perception. I stood mesmerized by the reflection of the setting sun underneath the glistening golden bell of Schwedagon Pagoda,

“Hello Sir. Sir, How are you today?” There was that voice again, but this time closer.

It took every ounce of my power to break away from the sight of the gleaming temple towering over me, but finally, like a bug tickling my the top of my skin, those far off words had travelled through my ear canal and into the registration area of my brain.

Someone is talking to me.

“I’m doing quite well,” I think I said.

I don’t remember exactly, but what I do remember was the mischievous smile of the chubby-cheeked monk standing in front of me. He commented on the clarity of my accent, and asked me what I was doing in Myanmar. What am I doing?

Wait, what was I doing?

Staring at this giant landmark I had seen endless pictures of on travel blogs and newsfeeds? Trying to get over my irking irritation at the lady at the front of the temple who took my shoes out of my hand, and threw them in a locker before telling me about the 2,000 Kyat storage fee? Trying to find a way to pack as much authentic Yangon culture into two days of jetlagged travel as possible?

We continued with the small chat, my thoughts marathoning way ahead of the actual words coming out of my mouth. A suspicious feeling was eating at the back of my brain.

It was clear the monk wanted something, but it was impossible to tell just what it was. A million tripadvisor scams montaged in my head.

Myanmar, Schwedagon Pagoda, adventure, teach abroad

The incredible Schwedagon Pagoda, even more beautiful in the evening!

“Am I a teacher?” He asks.

Ok, now we’re getting kind of personal. I’m supposed to be on vacation here, but yes, actually I am a teacher back in Thailand.

There was a flash of excitement in the monk’s eyes. I could feel it coming. The inevitable wind-up, and…pitch!

“Oh that’s wonderful,” I think he might have said.

He produced a card, one for me, and one for Krissy. He told me about his conversational English class, and invited me to go the next day at 9 AM.

“This isn’t a scam is it?” I asked, feeling dirty for even asking a monk that question.

“No scam, see you at 9 am! The address is here. We’ll even make breakfast.”

Krissy and I shared a look…

What have we got to lose?

Myanmar, traffic, locals, adventure, teach abroad

Similar sights in Thailand..

Flash forward to the next morning, we hailed a cab and I greeted the driver with an optimistic grin and a heart full of adventure. Two seconds later we’re beeping and swerving our way through the chaotic mess of roadway that is Yangon.

Reassuringly, about every five minutes our cab driver would study the address on the monk’s business card, and then shake his head. My grin grew wider each time, eventually turning into an uncomfortable cheek-splitting smile I continually flashed at Krissy with the same manic certainty the cab driver insisted he knew the way.

I promise we won’t be human-trafficked today! I smile at Krissy.

One hour of beeps and bumper hugging later, and we had reached a destination. A destination I was fairly certain wasn’t my intended destination.

“There?” I said, looking where the man’s outstretched finger pointed.

He smiled and nodded. I had expected a temple, or a Learn English sign or something, anything but the shoddy and unimpressive house in front of us.

I started to protest, pointing at the business card again, but it was too late. The cab driver reached across me to open the passenger door. He was clearly done with the goose chase.

So Krissy and I hit the street, not sure whether to feel adventurous, scared, or irritated by the fact that we were obviously in the wrong area, with nothing to guide us but a misleading business card.

I look up to see a group of old ladies on the porch staring right at us.

Quick, engage Thai diffusion mechanism!

I smiled as wide as I could, and walked up to them.

Through a song and dance that looked something like disco-directional charades, I was able to get my point across and the kindhearted ladies pointed us off into a new direction.

Well, this is the best we’ve got, and we’ve already come this far.

We walked through stony corridors, past sewing shops, beetlenut huts, and more than few wily street mutts.

We were both feeling a little downtrodden by this time. It was already past nine o’ clock, and we were late for the English class, or scam, or wherever the hell we were going.

I checked the card again, and started paying attention to the addresses on the walls around us. The cab driver had surprisingly gotten us pretty close. The numbers on the walls were just a few off from the address on the card.

The numbers ticked up one by one as we moved down the street, and before long, we found ourselves standing at the gate of a modest temple.

So much for a welcoming party, I thought, tiptoeing into the ghost-like courtyard.

Helllllooooo! It’s the nervous foreigners who are 45% certain they may be abducted and have their organs stolen today…

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Our Class!

And then the assault happened—four puppies came out of nowhere, viciously jumping up and licking our knees.

It didn’t take long for Krissy to dote on the dogs.

I tried to find someone who could tell me where the conversation class was, but other than a few wide-eyed monk children who spoke zero English, and apparently didn’t understand my hand gestures, there was no one to be found.

After looking a bit like a lost parking lot surveyor, I finally spotted a senior monk. It wasn’t the monk from Schwedagon, but at least it was someone.

Feeling a glimmer of hope, I tried my best to communicate with him.

Fairly certain he didn’t understand anything other than hello, the monk replied.

“3 o’ clock.”

Then he waved goodbye and shut the door of the small building he was standing in.

Are you kidding me?—was just one of the frustrated phrases that came into my mind at that moment.

I headed towards the gate feeling confused, and cheated.

“Any luck?” Krissy asks, stroking a couple of pups.

Just as I’m about to say, No, I’m a failed adventurer, let’s get the hell out of here and drown our sorrows in a bowl of curry, a group of young men and a monk approach us.

I show the monk the business card, and we chat for a minute in a language of grunts and gestures. I’m beginning to think the monk at Schwedagon was nothing more than some ancient Nat my jetlagged mind had created.

Then this new monk in front of me smiled, and led us to a huge flatbed truck. He motioned to the back.

This is it, I smiled at Krissy. I can hear my grandpa’s overprotective advice flashing like a red alarm in my head—you’re heading straight towards Isis headquarters!

We jumped in the back of the truck, and the vehicle peeled out of the road. It wasn’t long before we were on a major roadway, sliding around the back of the truck-bed like penguins in greased high heels.

Are monk affiliates even allowed to drive this fast? I think, clutching the metal handles.

We flew under large buildings, over bridges, and through dusty streets with vendors walking and hawing every which way. Then I felt the truck come to a screeching halt. We sat parked in front of an unmarked three story building sandwiched in the middle of a packed downtown street.

And what do you know, there was the monk from Schwedagon! He led us into building, and up an elevator that looked like it could have been the set for a horror movie.

Krissy and I walked into the classroom, a long room with a decayed whiteboard at the front, and long wooden benches and tables layering the space. Like a lot of Myanmar, everything had this dusty antique feel to it.

Krissy and I each sat at a separate bench, and it wasn’t long until droves of local Myanmar people sat around us. Even though they were from all different ages and professions, one thing was very clear—these people were desperate to learn English. There must have been over 50 people in the room.

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Getting to know our new friends whilst sharing stories

Question after question came, some of the talkers more outgoing than others. We chatted about America, Thailand, my job, their jobs, my favorite things, their favorite things, love… They painted my face in Tannaka powder, gave me a Myanmar name, and wrote a list of foods that I could take to local restaurants.

I asked them about restaurants in the area near the end of the lesson, and a couple of the students agreed to take Krissy and I to a local food shop around the corner. Nothing could have made me happier.

I had gone out on a limb to sample the local food, doing a point and prey at more than enough Myanmar-script menus since I had been in the country, and while some of the dishes had been delish, some had been a pallet challenge.

Now I felt safe with our new tour guides ushering us into the beautiful world of local Myanmar cuisine. We chatted some more about food, dating, and our guide’s love of Eminem’s music.

Feeling full and humbled, Krissy and I paid for the meal and thanked our guides for the amazing experience.

Our new friends offered to take us to Maha Bandula Park, where both the Independence Monument and Sule Pagoda were situated.

We tried our best to politely decline, feeling like we were intruding on their day. But the young guides assured us we were the furthest thing from an unwelcome intrusion. They aspired to work as tour guides, and they warmly welcomed the chance to have us be some of their first tour-goers.

Once again I was flabbergasted with just how motivated these new friends of ours were to learn English. They walked us around the park, and explained the history of the beautiful area. They showed us the sights, and after a while we thanked them and went our separate ways.

The boys asked us to come back and teach another class at the school that night, but we already booked a bus to Inle Lake.

As I stood in the shadow of Independence Monument, feeling the hot sun on my face, I immediately felt a sense of intense gratitude. Admiring the landmarks of Myanmar had been a great experience, sure, but it was but a sliver compared to the immense headfirst dive into the local culture this chance conversation class had afforded me.

I took a deep breath in and embraced the warm blossoming sensation of gratitude spreading through me. Teaching English has allowed me to experience so many amazing opportunities.

It’s easy to lose track of the human nature that unites us all, but its experiences like these that keep me humble, and remind me of the things that are truly important to me in life.

Teaching is one hell of a way to meet the world.

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This is the life!

Justin Ruhe

XploreAsia Education Supervisor

www.jaiguytravels.com

What Lies Between Worlds

by Jon | Jan 5, 2017 | XploreAsia News, Living in Thailand | 0 comments

Travel will change you.

Your departure into unknown lands marks a beginning, an ending, an interlude. You seek novelty? Adventure? Growth? You will find it. And in pursuit of all this, you will inadvertently stumble over your own worldview, trip over your own expectations and preconceptions, and collide with unfamiliar ground. Then you get up, dust yourself off, and look around to see a world that appears a little clearer, a little brighter. Of course, the world hasn’t changed— it’s the same as it ever was.

I’ve had my share of confusion and made more than a few cultural blunders in Thailand. In exploring a country so different from the United States, I’ve had to adapt in ways that cause me to analyze my own values. So, here are three observations about Thai culture, and what might be learned from them:

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One of the many beautiful temples in Thailand

Perceptions of Time: Sabai Sabai

In school, my teachers called me the White Rabbit. I was always looking at my watch, always hurrying to get to the next place, spread thin between too many classes and sports and extracurriculars. It worked well enough in a competitive, individualistic society where we’re raised to seek achievement and accolade.

It is not the Thai way. Here, people seek fulfillment.

Conceptually speaking, time is different in Thailand; in the West, time is our linear master and we follow, clocking in and out with a tick-tock synchronicity, in perfect time to the minute-hand. In Thailand, people are at ease with all four dimensions of space-time; centered; 0, 0, 0; not straying from their axis; flowing around obstructions and inconveniences much the way that time flows across their beings. In Thailand, time isn’t a master but a companion. Sometimes, an irrelevant one. Needless to say, most punctual Westerners struggle with that aspect of the society. Particularly those of us who identify with a certain Wonderland character.

“You’ll need to fly to Bangkok next week” I was told. Oh, alright. A week would be more than enough time to prepare. Coworkers were to pick me up and together we would catch our 4:30 am bus to Chiang Rai.

4:25 rolled around.

4:28.

4:28:30. I snatched my bike from the lot and sped into the bus station at 4:30 am, breathless. A bus was just pulling out. I’d missed it, but maybe there was another bus that morning. While I was desperately pantomiming to a ticket attendant, a familiar voice called out “Look, she’s already here”. My coworkers were sauntering across the parking lot, waving, as if everything were fine. They had a few words with the very confused ticket attendant and then told me our bus was delayed until 5:00 am anyway. And so it goes in easygoing Thailand.

I call it thaiming… that slow, deliberate movement that characterizes life here. “No hurry” the Thai teachers tell me as I speed through the halls to my next class. “Not so serious” they say when I sit hunched over my work, brow furrowed and fingers flying across a keyboard. Or my favorite: “Stop working, come eat.” If you’re the kind of personality that gets caught up thinking about the future (or, alternatively, stuck in the past), come to Thailand for a free course in learning how to embrace the present. There’s a Thai expression that summarizes this quite nicely: “sabai sabai.” It’s a bit like “hakuna mattata” in that it means no worries; everything is fine; all is as it should be; easygoing.

To me, ‘sabai sabai’ serves as a reminder to slow down. Breathe deeply. Life isn’t a race but a gift; and above all, there is no finish line to be crossed, only a journey to be enjoyed.

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Chiang Kham Wittayakhom School, where Chiara teaches

Communication: What Goes Around, Sometimes Maybe Might Come Back Around

One morning, my agent asked me what I had been doing the night prior. I told her I’d eaten dinner and gone to bed early. Whereupon she was most surprised, because the hairdressers who live/work under my apartment said I was being very loud in the wee hours of the morning.

“They want to know why you were up and what are you doing?”

“I was asleep, I wasn’t doing anything. Are they sure it was me? And…how did you hear about this?”

Apparently, the hairdressers had told their neighbor, who told the landlord, who told a fellow teacher housed in the same apartment, who told another teacher, who told my agent. Transpiring in less than twelve hours was the most elaborate, real life game of telephone I’d ever encountered. This is an element of Thai culture that I find particularly frustrating, because it stands in stark contrast to American assertiveness. If someone in the States thought I was being too noisy, they might say “Could you quiet down?” Or, as I’ve said on more than one occasion: “Kindly shut the [redacted] up, please.”

Personally, I don’t find indirectness palatable. But quite often this conflict-avoidance has to do with “saving face”, which is an important social construct in many Asian countries. Consequently, rarely will a Thai person tell you what to do, but they will imply it. You learn to pay attention to subtle body language, as well as words like “should”, “could”, or “it would be better”… because chances are someone is trying to clue you into a crucial detail that’s gone right over your barbaric, unrefined head. For example, “maybe you could wear longer pants under your Muay Thai shorts” isn’t gentle fashion advice. It means that wearing shorts isn’t appropriate in a modest town like Chiang Kham, and you need to cover up.

To an extent, the Thai style of communication has only reinforced my preference for directness. On the other hand, we don’t have a true equivalent to losing/saving/gaining face. Being a disruptive force in the community is a sure way to lose face. While this can make communication frustrating, I’ve also come to admire the emphasis placed on social harmony. It manifests in some truly wonderful ways. For instance…

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Chiara's students enjoy taking part in an engaging lesson

Kindness as a Duty: Living in a Collective Society

Regardless of their proficiency, there is one phrase every student at Chiang Kham Wittayokhom knows: “May I help you?” I get it a lot. When I’m carrying (and dropping) too many things. When my skirt gets caught in the tire of a bicycle. When I’m lost. “Teachuh, teachuh, may I help you?” And before I can answer, a student has swept my papers up off the ground, untangled me from a bike chain, or is leading me by the hand to my next class.

One day, I had to walk to work. It’s not far, but when the elderly lady who lives across the street saw me, she hopped onto her moped and insisted on giving me a ride to the school. I’d never met her before. During my first few weeks, my supervisor was frequently at my apartment, helping me adjust or taking me into town. Whenever I thanked her she always responded with “no problem, it is my duty.” It’s a powerful statement.

This is the idea I want to capture. I want to wrap it up with ribbons and take it back with me to the States, giving it to every human being I ever encounter. Regardless of how you feel about the recent election, there is no denying that the U.S.A.’s political climate is polarized and volatile. Now, more than ever, we could serve to learn one of the most important lessons to be gleaned from collectivist societies; the significance of social harmony.

As an ESL teacher, I think this is particularly visible in a classroom setting. They’re microcosmic by nature. So, if you want to get an idea of a country’s cultural values, step inside a public school for a bite-sized overview of what a place is like. There are a dozen points I could make about Thai classrooms in particular, but foremost in my mind is that I have never seen an outsider. They’re a type that is fairly easy to spot in Western culture—students who sit alone, who are often subjected to bullying. I’m not at all saying that loners don’t exist in Thai culture, only that they don’t exist to the same extent that they do in the States. There is an effort to bring everyone into the fold. Part of this is likely due to a set hierarchy, but I believe it especially has to do with the fact that Thai people take care of one another.

They go out of their way to express courtesy. Where in the West kindness might be described as a desirable personality trait, here it appears to be more of a standard. Imagine what our global community could look like if we all treated kindness as a duty.

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All smiles in Chiara's classroom!

Closing Thoughts

Ultimately, travel is an amplifier. It intensifies the human experience; the joys, the struggles, the setbacks. If you’ve moved abroad to be a teacher, you might be surprised at how often you find yourself instead taking on the role of student. In fact, many wanderers I’ve met talk about ‘growth’ as being a motivation to travel. What exactly does that mean? When you choose to live in a foreign society, you are constantly met with the new and the different. Often it doesn’t make sense—why is no one on time? Why won’t people talk to me directly? Why are people so nice? If you’re willing to delve into a foreign culture and try to decipher some of these mysteries, you’re bound to learn something. Your understanding of people will broaden. Your capacity for sympathy will expand. Your own values and notions will be called into question. In challenging your own beliefs like this, you may be forced to reevaluate. Perhaps nothing will change. But it’s far more likely that you’ll discover new truths to questions you’d never had to ask before, and consequently, be changed for the better.

by Chiara Burns

For more from Chiara, follow her adventures over on her personal blog! – http://www.theroadtoeverwhere.com/

Traveling Alone as a Woman in Asia

by Jon | Dec 15, 2016 | XploreAsia News, International Internship | 0 comments

I had flown alone before, but my current trip to Asia was the first time I truly traveled alone. On my trips to France, Ireland, and Mexico I had people to pick me up at the airport, and an instant group of friends awaiting me when I arrived. While I knew that would be true when I reached Thailand to begin my internship at XploreAsia, my trip to South Korea was my first real solo travel experience. I not only flew alone, but got myself to my hostel on my own. I was nervous before I left, as I don’t speak a word of Korean. However, my fears proved to be unfounded. I was easily able to deal with the things I was concerned about, such as:

Getting Around

English is very present in cities like Seoul and Bangkok. Most signs, particularly those at airports and on trains, display both the native language and English. This makes getting around on your own easy. Trains, especially those in major cities, are incredibly easy to navigate. Particularly if you have experience with a train system like the El in Chicago or London’s Underground, you shouldn’t have any issues. The trains I’ve seen were also cleaner, larger and generally safer feeling than the ones back in Chicago.

On the off-chance you do get lost, I have found people in South Korea and Thailand to be very helpful. Whenever I stopped to look at a map in Seoul, someone would approach me and ask if they could help. In Thailand, people are similarly kind. The only thing to be wary of is that, in my experience, Thai people will nod and give you the impression they know what you’re talking about, when they have no idea. This means it may take a bit longer than anticipated to get where you’re going, but eventually you’ll find someone who is not only able to help you, but very happy to do so.

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The train stations in Bangkok have gorgeous views!

Catcalling

One of the pleasant surprises of traveling alone in Asia was the way men reacted to me, or, rather, didn’t react to me. I’m used to walking around alone in Chicago and Europe, where catcalling is a pretty regular occurrence. Men in Chicago aren’t always the most polite, and I have had a few instances where I felt threatened. European men seem to have picked up a lot of their English skills from rap songs, and it shows in the way they speak to women. Even in small-town Ireland, as soon as summer rolled around and I began wearing shorts, honks and odd groaning noises became a regular occurrence. Completely on my own in Seoul, I expected more of the same. While I received my fair share of stares, men didn’t yell things at me or catcall at all.

Thailand is a bit different. Men will call out to you in the street, especially if you are wearing shorts or are otherwise dressed less modestly than the typical Thai woman. However, the things they say are generally far less offensive than what I have heard in other countries. While I would prefer to just be ignored, I’ve always preferred “Hey, beautiful!” to the more aggressive and sexual catcalls I get back home. In Thailand, most men just say “Hello!” I can even say hello back, and the conversation usually ends there. If not, I’ll hear “How are you? You’re beautiful. I like you. You have boyfriend?” That is generally the extent of their English, and personally, none of these interactions have left me feeling shaken or worried.

Obviously it’s still important to be careful, especially in a country where saving face is so important. Just as I always ignore men back home so as not to provoke violence, here I generally smile as I walk away when strange men approach me. Saving face is very important in Thai culture, and people can react very badly when they feel embarrassed. As such, I try to maintain my distance without offending the man in question. Just like back home, no matter how annoying I find being approached, I never tell the man off or get visibly angry.

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Walking across a London street, keeping an eye out for catcallers

Walking Around at Night

As most women have been told since we were little girls, you should always avoid walking home alone at night. However, at some point, you might get into a situation where you do walk by yourself at night. Personally, I have always felt much safer doing this in other countries than back in America. I never walked alone after dark in Korea, but I have done so a couple of times in Thailand. While it’s not something I would advise anyone to do, regardless of gender, I haven’t had any scares or issues.

Taxis are also readily available in Thailand, so there shouldn’t be any real need to walk alone. I’ve found that taxi drivers here are great about taking you straight to your door, particularly at night.

Judgment

As a woman traveling on your own, other people are going to have a lot of opinions about what you’re doing. They may think you’re crazy or reckless. They may tell you horror stories to try to convince you not to go. Even when you leave home, you may still get comments. When I went to Mexico, many people expressed shock that I was there on my own. “You’re so young!” they would exclaim. I look quite a bit younger than my age of 25, and this doesn’t help the number of people who are concerned for me. These people are generally very well-intentioned, but I wouldn’t take what they say to heart. Do your research, be mindful of your surroundings, and use your street smarts, but don’t let the opinions of others dissuade you from following your dreams of traveling. Before I moved to Ireland, my family told me it was a bad idea. I didn’t listen, and trusted that I knew myself better than they did. It turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made, and now my family are supportive of my travels as they see how good traveling is for me.

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When traveling alone, don't be afraid to ask a stranger to take your picture. The nice girls who took this one for me were happy to do it!

It’s great to travel with friends or family, but sometimes there’s no one in your life who can take off work or afford to go with you. Rather than letting the fear of going alone hold you back, I recommend taking the plunge and traveling alone. You’ll get to do what you want, when you want, and discover that you are more independent and capable than you ever believed. Deciding to travel alone as a woman is the greatest thing I have ever done for myself. I hope that other women that have considered traveling alone embrace adventure and discover not only the joys of seeing the world, but their own inner strength and confidence.

Mary Leonard is an intern at XploreAsia. You can follow her travels on her blog, Wide Eyes and Wanderlust

Why I Choose to Work Abroad Instead of Just Vacation

by Jon | Dec 7, 2016 | XploreAsia News, International Internship | 0 comments

Live Like a Local

When I was twenty, I went abroad for the first time. I spent six weeks studying in Aix-en-Provence, France. That trip ruined simple vacations for me.

Although I was only there a short time, I felt like I truly got to know Aix. I learned my way around the winding streets, figured out which shops had the best gelato, and formed a close bond with my host mom and her family. It was these people and places that made me fall in love with France, in a deeper way than a week in Paris ever could.

After graduating from college, I felt the urge to travel again. Having learned from my time in France, I knew I wanted to live abroad rather than just backpack around Europe. I found a job as an au pair in Ballina-Killaloe, Ireland. My year in Ireland was filled with ups and downs. When I studied in France, life was like a party. My classes were easy, and I had very little responsibility. In Ireland, I had a real job and responsibilities. I got a true sense of what it’s like to live in Ireland, without the rose-colored glasses of study abroad.

Prior to coming to Ireland, I had always romanticized small towns. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, and went to school in the city, but had never lived in a town where everyone knew each other. That was the case in Ballina-Killaloe, two twin towns where you saw the same few people in the same few pubs every weekend. This had its upsides. I often ran into people I knew in the street, and for the first time in my life became a regular at a pub. I felt safe walking by myself at night, or putting my purse down to dance. It was also quite a bit cheaper than a city like Dublin. Despite these positives, on the whole, I learned that in the long run I’d like to live in a city. I love the energy of cities, and the possibility of meeting new people every time you walk outside.

The fact that Ireland wasn’t my ideal was in its own way a positive thing that led to a lot of self-discovery. Au pairing was my first full-time job, and I learned that getting through the work week is much easier when you have plans to travel around your new country on the weekends. This has inspired me to continue to look for jobs in foreign locales that allow me to travel in my free time.

After Ireland, I found my current position as an intern at XploreAsia. I feel like I’m getting a much more accurate picture of how life really is in Thailand than those who come and stay at a resort. I’ve met some amazing locals, like the little girl who greets the other interns and I every time we walk by, or our neighbor, who gave us candles as he worried we wouldn’t have light if the power went out. I do get to enjoy the beautiful beaches and go on hikes on the weekends, but I also get to accurately judge how I feel about the country. Any place is wonderful if you spend your time there relaxing. You get a more realistic perspective of whether or not you truly like the culture and atmosphere if you live more like a local, working and running errands in addition to the tourist activities.

I still enjoy traditional vacations; a week-long yoga retreat on the beach in Mexico is undeniably a wonderful experience. However, this and other short trips I have taken have never been as satisfying as my experiences living abroad. I do not know Mexico or understand its culture the way I understand Ireland and Thailand. For me, living and working in a country, fully seeing its good and bad sides, is the most fulfilling and rewarding way to travel.

Mary Leonard is an intern at XploreAsia. You can follow her adventures in Thailand on her blog, Wide Eyes and Wanderlust

TESOL Interview – Rebecca Illingworth

by Jon | Nov 23, 2016 | XploreAsia News | 0 comments

The XploreAsia TESOL Experience

Rebecca Illingworth

We interviewed Rebecca during her TESOL course to get her thoughts on the XploreAsia experience, teaching overseas, and advice to all future teachers!

Right: Rebecca with her partner Keanu, during orientation week in Hua Hin.

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Have you lived or traveled abroad before?

Yes, I lived in China for six months last year, I’ve also lived in new Zealand and Australia

How do you expect those experiences to help you with teaching in Thailand?

I think they will help me adapt and integrate into the culture more easily because I’ve had experience doing that before. From teaching English in China, I know what to expect in a sense of culture shock – I know things will seem a bit weird at first, but they’ll get easier. I truly believe that to really get to know the people and see society you have to stick around for at least six months, to really get a feel for the country and culture.

What made you decide to teach abroad?

I’d heard that schools have a different attitude to towards teaching. It would be fun, it’s new. I think you can get to know the people and children through teaching, you get a sense of what life is like for children in that society and culture. I’m currently in school for childhood studies. Teaching abroad helps in my studies, it’s good that I have studied it and now I can actually see it.

Why did you decide to teach in Thailand?

I’d heard that Thailand was nicknamed the land of smiles, so it seemed very friendly and laid-back, just a beautiful country to spend a lot of time in. I’d back packed in Thailand before so I’ve seen all the hot spots, but I wanted to spend time to get to know the people, getting to know the culture.

What were you most excited about in coming to Thailand?

Getting to know the Thai people more, and that it’s sunny almost every day, England isn’t this sunny.

What do you wish you’d known before coming to Thailand?

I wish I’d made the effort to learn a little Thai before I came here. We had Thai language during orientation week, but it’d have been nice to know more. Or maybe researching a little more about the geography, since we can be placed in areas throughout Thailand, and I don’t know as much about the south or the east.

What are some of your impressions of XploreAsia?

Very professional, lots of people here to help you with a wide variety of questions you might have. If you need visa help, or placement help, or even if you want to know where to eat. Very knowledgeable friendly people.

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Eating freshly prepared papaya salad during the Thai cooking class!

Did you know about or research XploreAsia at all before getting here?

We watched all the videos, and compared it with the other companies – we thought that XploreAsia seemed more professional and the best option. They had connections with lots of schools and really gave help/support.

What are your highlights from the Orientation Week with XploreAsia?

Meditating with the monk was really cool. You’d never have gotten to do something like that if you were just backpacking, unless it was specifically organized for us the way it was through XploreAsia.

How do you feel this TESOL course is preparing you to succeed in a teaching job?

I have a TEFL and I did it online. Doing a TESOL in class with an actual lesson plan and having the class to bounce ideas around is very helpful and very useful. It’s a reflective type of learning. What I think they do really well is because they don’t just teach the course, they teach what attitudes we need to adopt to teach in Thai schools.

How do you feel the TESOL instructors are preparing you to teach in other cities in Thailand?

I feel like they’re very truthful and honest in painting a picture of what it will be like in a Thai school, and the best way to interact with your colleagues, the best attitude to have to get the most out of the experience. Not to sweat the small stuff, not to take things to heart when you have any classroom management issues. They tell us what it‘s like to be a child in Thai society. They’re very knowledgeable, funny, engaging, they always have personal stories that bring their lesson to life, very experienced. They know what they’re talking about.

What do you find most interesting about the TESOL course so far?

The curriculum project – I like that we’re doing that because in the future we might have to make our own curriculum so it prepares us for that. It’s nice to work with other teachers to collaborate ideas. Gets you thinking that all your lessons lead on from each other, makes you think about how each lesson should build on the last when youre lesson planning.

Did you have any fears before coming here?

The usual kind of fears, am I going to fit into the society, culture? Am I going to fit into the school, are the students going to like me, will I get along with co-workers? Will I be a successful teacher?

How have those fears changed since being here?

Last night we had street food, ate dinner with other Thai people. They tried to talk to us and gave us food to try. Even doing that, it made us feel like part of the society. They had also just finished work and were having dinner before going home. We tried speaking Thai, and you could tell they appreciated the effort, and the friendliness of it all was quite nice.

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Gaining invaluable teaching experience at an English camp during the TESOL course in Hua Hin

If you had to give one piece of advice to someone considering teaching in Thailand, what would you say?

Come with an open mind, be open to every possibility. Seize every opportunity and try to live!

Teaching Overseas, a Viable Career Path.

by Jon | Nov 17, 2016 | XploreAsia News | 0 comments

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Jobs are harder to find, the market is more competitive than ever, and minimum wage is well, still rather minimum..

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Are you looking for that competitive edge, a gold star on your resume perhaps? Do you seek fulfilment, happiness, personal growth, or simply a challenge? Have you ever considered teaching English abroad?

Working as a professional English teacher in some of the world’s most sought after destinations is not exclusive to degree holders or those with teaching experience, but rather quite accessible to individuals of varying educational backgrounds and age. To teach abroad is an experience that provides more than another stamp on your passport, but rather the opportunity to grow tremendously both professionally and personally. It is the ability to adapt, develop confidence, empathy, cultural sensitivity and patience, all of which are more valuable than ever in a quickly globalizing economy. It is the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in a culture that will both challenge and excite you. It is the opportunity to have your heart filled and belly satisfied. It is more than an escape from the everyday, but a way to significantly enrich your life whilst greatly impacting the community and improving the economic growth of a country.

So is it worth taking the risk to move miles away from home for a destination unknown? Well, as Tony Robbins said, “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.”
We’re not telling you to take that plunge, but it might be worth it! This opportunity is truly made for anyone who feels like they’re in a bit of a rut or simply needs to recharge their batteries.

With thousands of incredible locations to choose from, teaching English abroad can provide the opportunity to truly unleash yourself! Here’s a list of our top 5 locations to teach overseas!

South Korea

For those who are not looking for just a gap year, but a chance to build a new life abroad, South Korea is a great option. While you can just do a one-year contract, South Korean schools offer bonuses and other incentives to teachers who stay for more than a year.

If you want to move abroad but are worried that living abroad isn’t financially sustainable, the salaries and benefits offered by South Korean schools should ease your fears. Teachers in South Korea typically earn at least 20,000 USD a year. This may not sound like that much, but when you factor in that your accommodation, airfare, and insurance are all covered, that leaves quite a bit of money to be saved up each month.

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South Korea itself is a beautiful country with a unique culture. The country offers stunning mountain ranges, beautiful beaches, and bustling cities; something for everyone! There is fantastic public transport, and South Korea is a very modern nation with widespread Wi-Fi and all of the latest technology. For fans of pop culture, South Korea has a vibrant pop music scene that is famous across the world. Fashion, makeup, and skin care trends are on the cutting edge in South Korea, making it a trendsetter’s paradise.

Applying to teach in South Korea can be a rigorous process. With so many great benefits, the program is competitive! However, if you have the drive needed to teach in South Korea, the rewards are well worth it! If you think South Korea could be right for you, learn more here:

Teach in South Korea

China

If the benefits of South Korea appeal to you, but the competitive nature of the program doesn’t, teaching English in China may be right for you! As in South Korea, those who teach in China through XploreAsia receive free accommodation, free insurance, and will have their flights reimbursed. Teachers can expect to earn 1,000 -1,300 USD a month. Many goods and services, including food and transportation, are significantly cheaper in China than in the United States. As such, it is fairly easy to live comfortably as an English teacher in China while still adding to your savings account.

China is a large, diverse nation rich in natural beauty and history. Whether you prefer bustling cities or quiet countryside, China has you covered! Living in China, you would have a unique opportunity to learn Mandarin or another Chinese dialect, a language spoken by around 16% of the world’s population. China is an emerging international power, and having experience working in China can be helpful to those not only in education, but those who want to work in business or other sectors in the future.

If you’re a flexible, open-minded person, you may be a perfect fit to teach in China! Find out more about our program here:

Teach in China

Vietnam

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Perhaps you seek a different kind of adventure, one lined with emerald waters and breathtaking natural beauty. Vietnam boasts an expanding metropolis in the city of Hanoi and a high octane city of culture and discovery in Ho Chi Minh (formerly known as Saigon). Teachers will find that jobs are quite abundant and living expenses are rather affordable compared to South Korea and China. Teachers can earn anywhere from $1,250 – 1,800 USD a month. Those who decide to teach in Vietnam through XploreAsia receive 10 days of free accommodation upon arrival, in addition to visa support and medical insurance. A bachelor’s degree or higher is required for placement in one of Vietnam’s reputable language or public schools, as well as a TESOL/TEFL certification.

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With a complex and exotic blend of culture, religion and cuisine, Vietnam is a true marvel. Explore ‘The Pearl of the Orient’ (Ho Chi Minh City) which is characterized by its dizzying mix of tradition and contemporary style, featured by the bustling streets, ancient temples, and soaring skyscrapers. A wealth of adventure awaits you in this electrifying and quickly evolving country! Is it calling your name? To learn more about our program in Vietnam, please visit:

Teach in Vietnam

Myanmar

The new kid on the block, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is one of the most fascinating teaching destinations in Southeast Asia. After decades of isolation, the nation that is home to over 100 ethnic groups eagerly welcomes English teachers to work in their local schools. Holding a mystique of sorts for the seasoned traveler, Myanmar boasts an untouched coastline, limestone peaks and luscious jungles that offer real adventure.

Teachers can earn on average $800-1,500 USD per month, which goes a fair way in this “Golden Land”.

While infrastructure quickly develops, teachers will find their biggest expense to be accommodation with rent starting at $500 USD per month, but the ability to save upwards of $10,000 USD a year is still a possibility. Living expenses are still comparable to places such as Thailand and Vietnam, with the average meal costing anywhere from $2-3 USD.

While potential for growth is so strong, Myanmar still embraces the truest form of old Asia and Buddhist purity that is something you may not find anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Surround yourself with silhouettes of hundreds of temples built by the Kings of Bagan, attend the Taunggyi Hot Air Balloon Festival where you can find an endless array of exotic balloon animals, then finish the day with an authentic bowl of Burmese Mohinga.

If you have an adventurous spirit and an open mind, Myanmar is the perfect fit for some one with genuine wanderlust. If you’re interested in this opportunity check out our program here:

Teach in Myanmar

Thailand

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Thailand is without doubt the poster child for teaching English abroad. Offering both exotic adventure and tranquil escapes to postcard-worthy beachfronts and mountain valleys. Widely known as the ‘Land of Smiles’, Thailand will overwhelm you with its kindness and hospitality. While the beaches gain world popularity, it is frankly the Thai people who will captivate you with their warmth and courtesy, commonly going out of their way to help others. Despite the fact that Thailand hosts upwards of 16 million tourists each year, it is still able to hold true to its rich cultural identity. Immerse yourself in true Thai culture as an English teacher in one of Thailand’s government or international schools. Take part in some of Thailand’s ancient traditional holidays such as SongKran (the Thai New Year’s Festival), Loy Kathrong, or the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai. Explore the cosmopolitan centre of Bangkok (‘City of Angels’), find bliss in the Buddhist temples, treat yourself to authentic Isaan cuisine, and opt for an intrepid journey in a tuk-tuk, which may be regarded as the Thai equivalent to Uber.

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Thailand continues to be a popular destination for English teachers who are both seasoned and new to the profession. Teachers are offered flexible positions with 30 day holidays in October and April, offering the perfect opportunity to explore your beautiful new home. Thailand offers competitive monthly salaries, with degree holders having the ability to make anywhere from $800 – 1,200 USD per month. The Teach in Thailand program offered through XploreAsia offers employment and accommodation assistance, a certified TESOL course which is a requirement for all English teachers in Thailand, in addition to an action packed cultural orientation week.

Discover the life changing adventure of living and working abroad in this tropical oasis. Thailand is ideal for social, active individuals who seek adventure and the ability to live lavishly in a dream location. If this sounds like something you may be interested in, please visit:

Teach in Thailand

Teach in South Korea: Erin’s Experience

by Jon | Nov 11, 2016 | XploreAsia News, Living in South Korea | 0 comments

Erin Haubrich tell us what she has learned after deciding to teach in South Korea.

Teach in South Korea! Teaching abroad can be a huge challenge. Not only do you teach your students, but you also embark on a voyage of self-discovery, giving you a new bank of skills and uncovering talents you never knew you had. When Erin graduated fro her TESOL course, she decided to teach in South Korea and found exactly that. Learn about Erin’s experiences of teaching and learning below. If you’re inspired to take the plunge abroad like Erin, check out our TESOL courses which all come with a cultural orientation week to get you feeling confident in your home-from-home on day one.

“I am moving to South Korea to teach English.”

Most people were shocked when I told them. To be fair, I had only really mentioned about living abroad for a few months previously and never really knew when, where, or how I wanted to go. I had just completed my business degree and was now talking about moving across the world to teach English. So when, on a Friday evening in July of 2015 I had made the life-altering decision, this was the reaction I got.

My first day in South Korea at the EPIK Orientation (February 2016).

Teaching

During the EPIK orientation in February, I heard it was most likely I would be placed in an elementary school. However, on the fateful day when we received our contracts I read: Eoram Middle School. I was to be the only staff member to teach all 24 classes in the school (nearly 900 students), each once a week—with no prior teaching experience.

To say this was overwhelming would be an understatement. Even with a TESOL course and orientation under my belt, there was no way to anticipate how I would feel standing in front of a room full of middle-school aged children and attempting to teach them English. In spite of everything, even by the end of the first week, it felt right.

Each day and week brought something new. Some classes I walked away feeling great because a new game grabbed their attention, a shy kid was able to speak in front of the class, or I was able to make a joke that everyone understood. However, after other classes I walked away feeling defeated because troublemakers acted out, a lesson that worked with other classes failed miserably, or I was frustrated that I couldn’t get their undivided attention.

South Korea is an incredible place to teach abroad with lots of opportunities to learn and get involved in new activities.

Eoram Middle School

Teach in South Korea and experience a different education system.

My English Classroom

Never Alone

Every fellow English teacher I have spoken to has bad days (they happen) but we never go through it alone. There are plenty of groups online to share stories, connect teachers and source advice from those who teach in South Korea with more experience. These groups have been a huge support and a great resource for gathering lesson content and feedback on what works in the classroom.

Learn to teach in South Korea and get advice from fellow native English teachers.

Some of the close friends I’ve made in Korea, fellow EPIK teachers. (Left to Right) Myself, Caitlin Brown, Erin Karp, Grace Taylor.

There are also co-teachers and school staff that ease the burden in the classroom. I work with four different Korean English teachers and my experience with each of them has forced me to overcome personal shortcomings. Teaching with them is showing me how to be vocal about what I need, to be confident in my abilities, and to be a leader in the classroom.

Erin also made friends with her local teachers.

Dinner with my Korean English teachers.

Is it Worth Trying to Teach in South Korea?

As personally challenging as it is to teach in South Korea with no prior experience, the students make it more than worthwhile. It would be impossible not to fall in love with the kids in this country. On my first day at my school, I remember being showered with bows and “I love you teacher” in Korean (a very quick way to a teacher’s heart).

During the first month of teaching, the kids’ curiosity was entertaining. After the honeymoon phase wore off, my days were still made great by the moments in which I got to help my students one-on-one. Whether it was helping with how to pronounce a word, or building a sentence, or explaining a game, it’s heart-warming to see their progress. The look of accomplishment on their faces when they understood put a smile on my face too. By the end of the school’s first semester, I had regular visitors to my classroom at breaks and lunchtime, even if only to pop in and say “Hello Teacher!!”

Teach in south Korea and discover new possibilities.

Erin's pictures from her middle school trip.

Erin has been able to bond with her students.

Eoram Middle School Grade 3 Field Trip to City Hall and Deoksugung Palace, Seoul.

Lessons I Learned After Coming to Teach in South Korea

If you’d asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up when I was younger, my answer was always one thing: a teacher. So, in some respects my drastic decision made sense. I loved to learn and I loved to teach others—in any capacity. Although teaching English abroad may not be something I will do forever it has been a catalyst for personal growth, improving communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the world.

Lesson 1

Moving to a foreign country and into a new job on my own pushed me entirely out of my comfort zone. Growing up things came easy to me; I was good at school and dance and I always excelled at work. But teaching English isn’t easy and isn’t something I am naturally good at. Let me rephrase: I don’t feel naturally good at it. Work is challenging and tests me everyday but I know it is making me a stronger person. It is showing me how to be compassionate, a good listener, patient, and confident. Teaching demands these qualities and therefore has made me grow.

When you teach in South Korea, you can explore the countryside as well as the cities and find hidden gems other visitors might miss.

Ganghwado Island

Teach in South Korea and EXPERIENCE South Korea like a local not a tourist.

Seoraksan National Park

Lesson 2

Teaching in Korea has taught me a great deal about communication. Being immersed in a different language has taught me to observe. I have had moments where I feel illiterate; I don’t understand any written word and rely entirely on facial expressions and gestures. I have had moments where I feel deaf because I don’t understand anything being said and resort to sign language or fear trying at all.

Communication takes patience and my experience in Korea has improved how I communicate with my friends, family, co-workers, and students. I now know how difficult it is to learn a language and how intimidating it can be to try and for this reason I respect my students even more.

Erin's decision to teach in South Korea has made her develop her character as well as her teaching skills.

Gamcheon Cultural Village, Busan

What adventures are waiting for you when you teach abroad?

Seogwipo, Jeju Island

Lesson 3

Living abroad has made me see the world in a new light. The moment I opened my mind to Korea’s culture, lifestyle, and community, I realized just how diverse the world is. We don’t all live with the same experiences, in the same circumstance, or with the same opportunities. Even in my students I see the range of ability, work ethic, and opportunities that affect their academic achievements. I meet fellow expats who teach in South Korea who all have unique pasts, but share the same drive to explore the world and themselves. I have learned to be more accepting of difference and things I don’t yet understand.

Teach in South Korea and explore the country with new friends!

(Left to Right: David McDonald, Caitlin Brown, Grace Taylor, myself) In Busan for holidays.

Meet people from all around the world when you teach abroad.

Emeline Marrier d’Unienville and myself in Sokcho.

Why teach in South Korea?

Because it is important to experience new cultures, to not only learn about others but about yourself.

Why teach English?

Because education matters and by being a teacher I can be a positive influence for the next generation.

What did you think of Erin’s honest account of her experiences in ESL teaching? You can follow Erin’s adventures by reading her personal blog. If you’d like to teach in South Korea, check out our in-country training program that will give you the tools to teach like a pro. Head over to our Instagram and Facebook pages to see what all of our teachers across the world are up to!

Teach Thailand – July 2016 – Thank You for the Memories!

by Jon | Aug 3, 2016 | XploreAsia News | 0 comments

XploreAsia Teach Abroad - CC Beach e1470203856450

Thanks for the Memories - July 2016

...and welcome to our new website!

July has been a whirlwind of adventure and education here at XploreAsia, and with the end of the month already here, we just wanted to take a second to say thank you to everyone who got involved with one of our programs, and helped us make the endless stream of amazing new memories we have.

This August we are proud to present the new and improved XploreAsia.org! To celebrate the launch of our new site, we decided to take a look back at some of the amazing experiences we took part in during July.

Firstly, we’d like to congratulate all the graduates of our July, 2016 internationally recognized Thailand in-class TESOL Course. This determined and diligent group of students were not afraid to put in the work and dedication necessary to learn the craft of lesson planning, effective instruction, classroom management, and overall successful practices for teaching ESL students.

We rounded off this July in-class TESOL course with a two-day non-profit English camp at the local Tedsaban School, here in Hua Hin.

XploreAsia participants taking part in the Buddhist Lent parade with the local school!

July 2016 TESOL graduates, certificate in hand!

TESOL students putting their training to the test!

Congratulations TESOL graduates! Good luck at your new teaching positions all around Thailand. We know you have what it takes to be great teachers!

Training and welcoming new teachers to Thailand isn’t the only thing we’ve been up to though, we’ve also been catching up with some past XploreAsia graduate teachers, who have been busy teaching in their placements around Thailand.

Smiles all around at the dinner meet-up!

This July, XploreAsia hosted a teacher’s meet-up dinner along the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. We wanted to give our extended XA family a chance to catch up with one another, talk about the daily joys and struggles of being a foreign English teacher in Thailand, and of course, have some fun!

We just wanted to extend another thank you to everyone who attended, and left us with such great memories. We hope to see you again at the next meet-up!

Oh yeah! Dinner and what's this... Stylish XploreAsia swag?? Whoa, too cool!

XploreAsia Teach Abroad - TMW e1470203271869

But no trip to a local Thai school would be complete without some actual teaching practice, which is why our Thai My Way participants hit the classroom for some good old fashion international teaching experience.

XploreAsia Teach Abroad - TMW Teaching e1470203533734

Thanks for the amazing memories, ladies!

Even though the Project Thailand participants joined us at Tedsaban to enjoy the whirlwind of cultural experiences, they also had their own special assignment to work on…

Project Thailand participants also worked closely with non-profit organization Rescue Paws, and the Hutsadin Elephant Foundation, to research solutions to current animal welfare issues happening in Thailand.

Project Thailand participants going for a walk with their new friend

Balancing time between research and adventure, the Project Thailand participants left us some with amazing memories, and some valuable insights into the current animal welfare situation in Thailand.

July was truly an amazing month for us here at XploreAsia! We are ecstatic to have made so many new great memories, to have welcomed new people into the XploreAsia family, and to have been such a positive force in the community.

And so, to celebrate such a remarkable month, we are excited to present our new website! From all of us at XploreAsia, thank you to everyone who helped contribute to the unforgettable collection of memories from this month. We look forward to making many new memories with all of you.

Happy adventuring. Stay in touch.