What inspired you to teach abroad with GeoVisions in Thailand?
Shari: I decided to go to Thailand in 2011 because I wasn't in the job of my dreams, and I'd always wanted to live overseas and immerse myself in a culture that was completely different from my own.
Describe your day to day activities as a teacher.
Shari: While there, I taught preschoolers in an all day English program. I had the same ten students from 8am to 4pm and developed close relationships with all of them. My Thai co-teacher and I used science, arts and crafts, songs, dancing and story telling to teach the kids. They learned quickly and were all very excited whenever they got a chance to use their new English vocabulary.
Who was the most memorable person you met?
Shari: My Thai co-teacher, BeeBee, was an amazing person who spoke near-perfect English. She loved to cook and spent many nights teaching me to make traditional Thai food (which I still love to cook now that I'm back home). I was also very close with my school's director, Pee Pean. Many times I felt like she and her family were my host family. They took very good care of me, and so did the parents at my school.
What was the hardest or most challenging part of your experience?
Shari: Thai is an extremely difficult language, but the Thai people are very hospitable and will try to help you communicate through charades and bumbling mispronunciations.
What did you most enjoy about teaching in Thailand?
Shari: I loved Thai culture, Thai people, and most of all, I loved my students and their sweet, smiling faces.