Alumni Spotlight: Puja Sanyal

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She is always demanding to seize the moment and not think about the future, like enjoying life to fullest and getting indulged to it rather than cribbing about future. It is all for the moment, in the moment and about the moment.

Why did you choose this program?

Even though I am from India and a non-native speaker of the language, I have been fortunate enough to learn the language and have its influence on me since I was a 3 years old. But there are others who are not that lucky. Through this course, I would be able to help others and impart them with the knowledge that I have. TEFL will allow me to reach the various corners of the world and teach English. Apart from teaching, TEFL give me an opportunity to travel to various countries, to know about their culture and their language which will allow me to grow and have a much wider perspective of the world.

TEFL combines the best of both worlds-teaching and traveling.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Live TEFL was helpful in regards to the entire procedure of the pre-post departure. They initiated with the pre-departure cab booking for a reasonable cost. To post departure arranging accommodation for me, one of the staffs of the course came to receive me prior to introducing to my flat and also making me familiar with the neighborhood. The sweetest thing that the director of the course did was to arrange a map for me regards to reaching the school which only made my stay easier with a sweet letter of welcome.

Even though I was told about the neighborhood grocery shop and the bus stop. What I had organized on my own was the battle of communication with the locals. But, I had learned google translator was my best friend and that kind of helped me during my initial days to unlock myself.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

The one piece of advice that I would like to give would be "remember to buy an adapter" the European one. Which is the most important one, since your entire work is on Laptop. Also, don't carry a large amount of cash in your wallet. As fancy can Prague sound, it is also a hub for theft and robbery. So, it is best if you carry your card instead. It's always a safer option.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Since its a 130 hour program, it could be little hectic and sometimes you might feel like to give up, But trust me when I say this, it's all worth it. This course is beautifully crafted to perfection. So, your day starts at 8:30 am in the morning and its done by 5:30 to 6 pm if I may say so. But wait, there is catch to it, it is not over for the TEFL trainees because we have to prepare lesson planning with reference to books in the fully loaded library. Which is fun!!!!!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

LANGUAGE was the biggest fear for me, which lead to a series of fear like communication, addressing an issue about something in my flat. But, the problem was only temporary, I got used to the announcement and knew where my stop is. Also, google translator helped. I guess even going up to person and asking for help isn't a bad thought, I know I did it. It worked :)