by Jon | Dec 15, 2016 | XploreAsia News, International Internship |
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.
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.
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.
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.
by Jon | Dec 7, 2016 | XploreAsia News, International Internship |
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
by Jon | Nov 23, 2016 | XploreAsia News |
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.
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.
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.
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!
by Jon | Nov 17, 2016 | XploreAsia News |
Jobs are harder to find, the market is more competitive than ever, and minimum wage is well, still rather minimum..
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!
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
by Jon | Nov 11, 2016 | XploreAsia News, Living 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!”
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.
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.
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.
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!
by Jon | Aug 3, 2016 | XploreAsia News |
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
XA
by Jon | Aug 2, 2016 | XploreAsia News |
Meet Michael Volpe, founding director of XploreAsia. Michael has years of experience working and living in Thailand, and he has studied Thai culture for over a decade. Michael wants to welcome you to XploreAsia, an organization dedicated to helping others achieve a life-changing adventure abroad.
XploreAsia is dedicated to being a positive force in the local community by providing educational opportunities, volunteer work, and animal welfare programs.
Every member of our western staff has experience working and living abroad, and all of our TESOL course instructors have plentiful experience teaching internationally.
We understand the challenges and rewards of teaching and volunteering abroad. We want participants of our programs to be successful in their cross-cultural adventures, and that is why we go to great lengths to provide extensive support and guidance before, during, and after our courses and programs.
~Embracing adventure, changing lives~
Welcome to XploreAsia.
by Jon | May 16, 2016 | XploreAsia News |
If you have ever found yourself researching TESOL companies, you know that there are numerous ones to choose from all over the world. How can you possibly make a decision? What makes XploreAsia stand out?
Here at XploreAsia, we do many things that set us apart, but our community outreach is what we really pride ourselves in. We love Southeast Asia; it’s full of beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and the friendliest people on the planet. After all it’s given us; we’re doing as much as we can to begin repaying our debt to this amazing place.
At the beginning of every TESOL course, our participants spend a week learning about Thai culture, Thai politics, and several other immersion activities. A few of these activities include touring a pineapple plantation, feeding rescued elephants, participating in a trash pick-up at a local temple, and volunteering with rescued street dogs.
Thailand is home to the sweetest pineapples on the planet. Naturally they hold themselves to extremely high standards to keep producing such great fruit, so many “perfectly good” pineapples don’t make the cut if they’re deemed unfit for human consumption. Normally these pineapples go to waste, and the farmers lose out on the money from them. In order to help the farmers and to reduce waste, XploreAsia steps in and buys many of these pineapples from the local plantation…now if only we knew someone who loved to eat pineapples…that’s where the rescued elephants come in!
Hutsadin Elephant Foundation is a non-profit elephant rescue center, based in Hua Hin, that has spent the last few years rescuing elephants with abusive pasts. They are working hard every day to give these elephants a comfortable remainder of their life, and to date they are now 80% ride-free!
The pineapples are loaded up and driven over to the Hutsadin Foundation. The participants then partake in the rewarding experience of feeding these majestic creatures, and let me tell you, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget!
No Thai cultural immersion week would be complete without a visit to a Buddhist temple! Through learning about Buddhism, meditation, and talking with the Monks, our participants receive a one-of-a-kind cultural temple experience. The participants also spend time picking up trash to pay respect to the Monks, Buddhism, and the temple grounds themselves.
Speaking of picking up trash, XploreAsia now volunteers with Trash Hero. Trash Hero’s mission is to create sustainable, community-based projects that remove existing waste, and reduce future waste by inspiring long-term behavior change. One way they do this is through weekly beach cleanups. Anyone can be a hero with Trash Hero, all it takes is some ambition and spending a few hours each week cleaning up our beaches. We live in paradise, and we want to keep it that way.
If you’ve ever been to Thailand you know that the street dog problem has gotten way out of hand. Luckily Hua Hin is home to Rescue Paws, a non-profit organization aiming to first stabilize and then reduce the stray animal population in Thailand over time through vaccinations, sterilization, adoptions, and education to get it to a manageable level. At Rescue Paws the participants volunteer by washing the dogs, taking them on walks on the beach, and giving them lots of love and affection. Many of our participants go on to volunteer multiple times at Rescue Paws, sometimes months and years after their initial TESOL course. Through hard work and many of volunteer hours, Rescue Paws has improved the lives of thousands of dogs all across Thailand.
As the world becomes more and more interconnected, the need to know English grows as well. At XploreAsia, not only do our participants go on to teach English across the country, but they also give back by conducting English camps in both Chiang Mai and Hua Hin. Our participants spend two days providing several hundred Thai students with fun and engaging English lessons. It is a great opportunity for the Thai students to learn English, but also for these future teachers to get a chance to teach in the country they will be living in.
Here at XploreAsia, we have been given so much by Southeast Asia. She has welcomed us in with open arms, cheered us up when we were sad, smiled with us when we were happy, and best of all, given us a chance to help change the world one student at a time. This is why we do everything we can to give back to this wonderful place, and we’d love for you to come join us!
Written By: Andrew Lyon
by Jon | May 12, 2016 | XploreAsia News, Teacher Stories |
I’ve been in Thailand for just about a month now, and I have finally moved to my placement in Trang City and found an apartment! But let me back up just a second real quick.
The past month in Chiang Mai has been the longest shortest time of my life. I feel like I’ve been here forever and I’ve known my TESOL friends forever, but at the same time the month of April flew by just as I was warned it would. Let me first say, I feel so fortunate for the group that I had the pleasure of taking my TESOL course with, as well as the wonderful XploreAsia staff that made transitioning into life in Thailand so welcoming and smooth. Having a group of only 22 people made it easy to become close quickly and develop significant relationships with every single person in my group. I’m already becoming homesick for Chiang Mai and missing my friends, but it’s good to know that I have people all over the country and I’m confident that we will all see each other again soon.
#puakgoals
Without going into a crazy amount of detail, I want to try and briefly touch on some of the highlights of the past month:
Week one was orientation…if you haven’t already seen it, I posted a video compilation of a lot of what we did in just that week. We went to a rice plantation and planted rice, we took a muay thai lesson (Thai boxing), we got to visit Doi Suthep (a temple high up in the mountains of Chiang Mai), as well as a Tunnel Temple in Chiang Mai, and we took both Thai language and culture classes. The orientation activities began to ease us into realizing, yes we are actually in Thailand.
professional rice planters
Our first weekend, and our only real full weekend (we had some class on the weekends because of our songkran break), about 11 of us decided to go up North to Chiang Rai for the weekend. My friend, Aida, had been to this place called the Bamboo Nest before and highly recommended we go, even handling all the booking which made it really easy. We took the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and then had a couple hours to walk around Chiang Rai city and check out the White Temple before getting picked up to go to the Bamboo Nest. The Bamboo Nest is probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to. It was up in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains. We had the place at capacity with the 11 of us and three other travelers that were there. There were 2 people to each small bamboo ‘nest’ – they were made entirely of bamboo, each with a balcony and a bamboo hammock. It was just peaceful and serene and unlike anywhere I’ve ever been in my life. We decided to go on a hike with Noi, the man that works at Bamboo Nest and one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He spoke perfect English which he learned solely through speaking with guests over the years. Noi led us through the jungle and showed us how to cook rice, chicken, and eggs simply using bamboo. After our hike we took a boat to a small village and got to walk around and see their very minimal way of living. After everything we said our goodbyes and headed back to Chiang Mai.
if only pictures could do it justice…
Later that following week was Songkran. I also posted a video compilation in my last post from Songkran because I can’t even begin to explain in words how much fun this holiday is. We got two days off of class for Songkran, the Thai new year, which we spent on the streets of Chiang Mai engaging in water gun fights with every man, woman, and child we came in contact with. It was even more fun than it sounds.
greatest people, greatest holiday
In our second to last week, we had three days set aside where we got to actually teach! Because that is why I’m here, isn’t it! I got paired up with my friend Alex and we came up with a lesson plan on superheroes and a lesson plan on snacks. We went to two different schools, one very small school where we had a class of about 5 boys, and then one massive school where we had around 40 kids per class. It was crazy to finally get in the classroom, and although it definitely proved tough I think that everyone did a really great job. We got to spend some classes teaching, and others observing which was helpful because I’m definitely stealing great ideas from everyone else’s lessons! I entirely lost my voice, and then developed a cough which I still have two weeks later, but it got me even more excited for what’s to come once I start teaching.
strong like hulk
The last major thing we got to do, which I planned literally week one, was to go to the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. Almost everyone in our group came, about 14 of us, and we got to feed, bathe, pet, and walk with rescued elephants at the park. This park in particular is really special in that they make their visitors aware of the maltreatment of elephants all over Thailand. People should not ride elephants, elephants are badly broken and beaten in order to use to make money and entertain tourists, as well as carry out manual labor. All of the elephants at the park are rescue elephants, some have missing ears, broken bones, holes in their ears from hooks, and many are blind. It was really horrible to see, but also amazing because the elephants at the park are free to roam wherever they like and are treated as they should be, with kindness and respect. They are such gentle and smart creatures and it was surreal getting to actually meet so many of them. The park also has many other rescue animals – dogs, cats, water buffalo, goats, etc. Everyone had an inspiring and incredible day and I highly recommend this particular place if anyone is in Thailand and wants to get a chance to really interact with elephants.
note her broken foot from being beaten by her previous owner
Finally, in our last week we had our exam and graduation (and a screening of the season premiere of Game of Thrones on our classroom projector – obviously equally important). I’m really excited about my placement, and I got incredibly lucky because my best friend Baylee got placed in the same school as me! I’ll give a full description of my placement city, my apartment, and my school in the next post!
watch out Trang, here we come!
Written by: Lauren Ellman
by Jon | May 11, 2016 | XploreAsia News |
We are all so very unique, and every traveler has their own style.
Maybe you’re the type to plan everything out to a T, or maybe you just pack the essentials and see where the wind takes you! I am most certainly the latter, if an opportunity comes knocking I will take it, throw what I can in a small bag and hope for the best.
A lot of the travelers that I know are similar in this respect, though I have met a few who are rather meticulous. Planning weeks/months in advance, sorting out itineraries, putting together to do lists. Each to their own… as long as you’re not wasting your days wishing, I’m with you all the way!
Find out what kind of traveler you are with our short quiz and get started planning your next great adventure!
