Tell us a little about yourself and your role with Smaller Earth in Prague
Shannon: I am the Program Coordinator for Hello Academie’s TEFL program in Prague. My job is to provide assistance for our participants before they arrive on the course, during the course, and after they graduate. I help our students with finding housing based upon their needs, offer job assistance services, numerous networking opportunities, and help them to get acclimated in Prague. One day I might be helping a student plan their weekend trip to Kutna Hora, while another day I could be helping a student locate a doctor’s office in Prague. Each day varies based upon what our students need.
Part of my job is to always be available to our students during our course. Moving abroad can be a stressful experience and we try to remove that stress by always having someone available to help them if they should experience any problems or homesickness while abroad. I love getting to know the new TEFL students each month and showing them this beautiful city that I call home. I can’t wait to meet you on this course and show you how getting your TEFL can be the best career choice you’ve ever made!
What are some extracurricular activities students enjoy during the course?
Shannon: During the course we try to offer as many opportunities as possible for our students to get to know Prague and meet our alumnis. We kick off the course with a Welcome Dinner in a traditional Czech pub where students are able to try Goulash and of course Czech beer! Throughout the course we usually attend a sporting event such as Slavia Hockey or Sparta Prague, go on a cultural field trip to various castles or landmarks, have game and pub nights, and a big graduation celebration to wrap up the course.
Our events vary each month depending on the student’s personalities and what they are interested in seeing. We love to get our student’s input when planning the events, and experiencing new sights and events in Prague is one of the best parts of the course!
Do students generally stay in Prague after completing the course? What are some other popular destinations?
Shannon: Most people who get their TEFL will typically stay in the Czech Republics for 6 months to 1 year teaching English and gaining a lot of great teaching experience. After that many TEFL teachers head to Asia or teach in other countries throughout Europe such as in Spain or Poland. The duration depends on the person and what their travel needs are. Some are itching to travel and use their TEFL all over the world, while others are captured by the magic of Prague and want to stay longer.
Have you ever taught abroad (or participated in another abroad program)? What was the most rewarding part of your experience?
Shannon: During my undergraduate studies I studied abroad in the Czech Republic and immediately fell in love with the city. I travelled to 12 different countries in 6 months, met many new friends, and became much more independent. I then went on to receive my TEFL in Prague in 2012. Studying and working abroad is a great opportunity to discover things about yourself that you never knew, become more independent, and push your boundaries farther. Having the opportunity to see a castle, fly to London for the weekend, or go rafting in a small Czech village, are all opportunities that I would have never had in the US. The memories (good and bad) that I have gained from being abroad are priceless and I would not change a thing.
Any tips for first time travelers?
Shannon: I always tell our participants to be flexible and open minded. Things happen when you travel that you don’t expect (lost luggage, missed trains, etc.) so it’s always better to have a positive attitude and take everything with a grain of salt. Some of the best times that I have had abroad all started from something going wrong. My (mis)adventures turned into some of my greatest life adventures and I am very happy that I didn’t let the little details ruin it all for me in the end. Also I think it’s really important to take time to enjoy the city that you are in, take lots of pictures, and embrace this once in a lifetime opportunity!