Navigating the roads of Ha Giang in Northern Vietnam. On one occassion I did this by running a half marathon, and on the other I did this via a motorcycle. Ha Giang offers a beautiful and mountainous landscape with adjectives such as otherwordly and jurassic not doing it justice. The scale of these mountains will make anyone feel so insignificant, and it was an epiphany for me of just how small we are compared to these colossal formations and the vastness of this planet.
Staff Spotlight: William Davies
Title:
Programme Coordinator & Freelance WriterPhotos
Will is a freelance copywriter and programme coordinator for The Fewer Things company. Having taught in Vietnam, Romania, and Thailand, Will is now directing his energy towards writing about different cultures and assisting applicants in initiating their adventures teaching abroad.
What is your favorite travel memory?
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I have become much more confident in my abilities to manage tasks and convey ideas, whether in the form of creating a new article or by communicating with co-workers and applicants. The working environment at The Fewer Things is a proactive and encouraging one. Working here has really allowed me to improve my initiative without feeling any pressure.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
A teacher that I knew was discussing her favourite animals with another student, only to find out that they both shared a favourite animal - the turtle. The next time this teacher taught this particular student, the student had brought in a live turtle - as a gift - for the teacher. The fact that this student took note of this teacher's favourite animal, and went through the act of obtaining it in order to gift it to her, just showed how valuable teachers can be to their students.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
Teach English in South Korea. Having taught in Vietnam and Thailand, my desire to explore more of Asia only increased with each visit to these exotic locations. While South East Asia has a more relaxed lifestyle, I would like to see the contrasts that other cultures in Asia, or East Asia in particular, have to offer.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Throughout the entire process of being associated with The Fewer Things, whether as an applicant or a co-worker, the founder has always been incredibly personable and encouraging. Whether we were navigating the process of obtaining a working visa to teach in Thailand or helping applicants achieve the same thing, the founder has always been supportive.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
Having a founder and workers who actually care about the quality of their product or services. The founder and other workers including myself have undergone the process of teaching English as a foreign language before. We know that while it is a life-changing experience, it can also be an intimidating one and just like anything else, have downsides. Having people who understand the intricacies of TEFL is important in order to optimize the experience for others.