Why did you pick this program?
After intensive research and inquiries, I decided International TEFL Academy was the overall right fit for me. The support they provided in various forms (live calls from an advisor, webinar discussions, Facebook groups, emails, links, articles, alumni blogs, etc) made an otherwise arduous and nerve-wracking experience fairly easy.
One of the top selling points for me was the lifetime job search support they offer in all the countries where English teaching jobs are available.
What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?
Do it!!! But be smart about it and do lots of research. It's impossible to prepare for every little (or big) thing but get the basics down--like budget, transportation, accommodations, food, fun, and emergencies. Also, ask yourself why you want to travel abroad and what you want to get out of it. Having a goal, even a small one, can make your travels more meaningful and extraordinary.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Be prepared to work hard because it's a rigorous curriculum and a full workload. At the same time you will be in a foreign country with a different way of life and you may have to step out of your comfort zone. However, with an open mind and an enthusiastic spirit, you could find the experience absolutely amazing and life changing.
What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?
There are way too many to choose just one. My favorite part about traveling is always the people that you meet along the way. Whether locals or fellow travelers, people I've met while traveling have taught me something in one way or another. Sometimes about the place and the culture, other times about travel and adventure, and often about the amazing, crazy, extraordinary lives we live.
What is one thing you would have done differently on this trip?
I would have chosen a drier month to go to Costa Rica. I enrolled in the October program which was also the wettest month of the year! I went home soaked everyday and everything (bed sheets, towels, clothes) always felt damp. Nevertheless it was a small inconvenience compared to the unforgettable experience of being on my own in a foreign country, meeting new people, living like the locals, and gaining new insights about the world as well as myself.