Did you know that in addition to five other diverse destinations, XploreAsia offers the chance to gain an accredited TESOL qualification in Myanmar? We’re always interested in hearing our teachers’ experiences and invited one of them to share their story. Read below an account of one of our TESOL graduates teaching in Myanmar and their first impressions of the country.
The anxiety and excitement leading up to this adventure has been overwhelming. It was scary not knowing what to expect, but thrilling to finally see our plans to teach English in Myanmar coming through after so much hard work and preparation. Upon arriving in Yangon, the first thing I noticed was the sincere display of kindness, warmth and welcoming, a characteristic I expected, but not to such a degree. The next thing I notice is how diverse the place is. With a demographic consisting of over 130 different ethnicities, religions and cultures, it has a very different vibe to many of its neighbours.The city itself has a lot of character; the beautifully unique buildings give clues to Myanmar’s colonial past.
As soon as we arrive, Liam and I are curious to know more about the people and how they live in Myanmar. So, we take the circle line train around Yangon and engage with the local commuters. The train itself is old and rickety, moving at slow speeds. It has no doors which allows us to stand half way out the train and watch the daily life of Yangon roll by. Yangon is a very unconventional city, which allows for travelers to really gain a brand new experience, and allows for some unique inner-city adventures. It’s not difficult to find your way around and the public transport is very cheap, which means you can explore the city without fear of getting completely lost. It’s great to be able to hop on and off the circle line train at any platform and just walk in whichever direction you feel like exploring.
Coming to teach English in Myanmar has been a fascinating adventure. If this is any indication of what the rest of the journey holds, it’s sure to be memorable. Throughout our time here, we’re looking forward to finding out out what the people here are all about and discover all this country has to offer.
Does Yangon sound like the place for you? Here at XploreAsia, we offer training, lifetime placement support, and an orientation week to prepare you for life in a new culture so you can teach English in Myanmar with confidence. You can also catch up with XploreAsia and find information on all our programs through our Instagram and Facebook accounts.
