Why did you decide to study abroad with Cultural Embrace?
Ke'Bri: I chose CE because they are affiliated with Academic Programs International. I studied abroad with API in Rome, Italy two years prior and had an amazing experience. I was also very impressed with the program itself and the support we receive before, during an after our trip. When I chose CE, I was a recent grad from Temple with a gap year before grad school. Graduates have many options to fulfill a gap year. The usual would include working/moving back home, but I wanted to do something more fulfilling and out of the box. Why not move to Thailand?!!
What did CE do for you and what did you need to do on your own?
Ke'Bri: CE found me placement at a school and arranged my living accommodations. They connected me with a program coordinator who supplied me with pre departure materials such as info newsletters about what to expect, and helped me with materials for my visa. my coordinator also checked in with me during and after my trip.
Together with CIEE, they set up an orientation in Bangkok to introduce us to the culture and help come up with effective ways to teach. They provided regular newsletters with travel spotlights, cultural highlights and reminders for visa check ins.
Describe your favorite must-have food that you tried abroad.
Ke'Bri: Everything I tried in Thailand made my tastebuds sing a hallelujah chorus! I cant remember them all, but I will try. Please forgive me if I spell something wrong... Pad Thai (fried noodles), sticky rice and mango, gang kiaw wan (green curry), khao soi (chicken soup), coconut butter cookies, all the fruit is interesting and quite delicious.
If you could do-over one thing, what would it be?
Ke'Bri: If I could do one thing over, I would celebrate Loi Krathong with my students again. They explained the holiday to me, helped me make a Krathong, and took me to the celebration to float my em>Krathong in the river and make a wish. I will never forget that day