Global Work & Travel

My trip to Hua Hin, training and teaching abroad was fantastic! I wouldn’t change it for the world. I initially planned on staying there for 6 months but it turned into a year. Global Work& Travel, XploreAsia, really set me up with everything I needed to become a working Thai Teacher.
Everything in the orientation was well thought out and a nice introduction to Thai culture. I especially enjoyed the Thai language lessons and found them very useful long after the initial TESOL course. If you’re deciding between staying in your hometown and teaching in Thailand, you should know that your hometown isn’t going anywhere anytime soon! You’re also missing out on constant sun, amazing children, and all the fresh fruit.

My experience was definitely unique. I was placed with a really good agency in the ruins of Thailand. I was a teaching in the English program at the third biggest school in Thailand. Our school had over 4,200 students. I only taught around 20 students per class. There was so much culture and history in my town. I made so many friends doing the exact same thing as me which made traveling through Thailand exciting as everyone had similar mindsets. I also became a certified open water diver while I was there. Thailand definitely changed my life.

My placement was a particularly good one. It was such a privilege to genuinely enter village life and teach English to African children from 4yrs to 21yrs. After a few days they really welcomed me completely. The Maasai chief and the Mamma’s (The chief’s wives) thanked me for treating their children as my own and performed a ceremony the day I left giving me gifts that will last a lifetime. My time in Africa was a stark reminder of how incredibly important it is to prioritise the things in life that really matter. The African people have real joy, love, commitment and an enviable sense of community. They have nothing and yet they have everything. My time as a volunteer also gave me the opportunity to go on a safari to the Serengeti which was an extraordinary and exhilarating experience and one which I will treasure forever.

I’ve always wanted to become an English teacher and work abroad to both give and gain cultural experience, so when I saw that there was a new trip to do this in Costa Rica I jumped at the opportunity and left almost 3 months later.
Playa Samara is a small beach town on the Pacific coast. There’s horses, surfers, jungles, islands... so many beautiful things to see that is unique to the country. The accomodation is pretty good, air conditioning, private bathroom, double bed. Literally 2 minutes from the beach. The hotel even has different events on each night (karaoke, pool party, etc). AND you stay with everyone else on the course! So you’ve always got someone there.
The TEFL program itself was SO. MUCH. FUN. The teachers are engaging, they provide so much help and they make it fun. Of course though, you are gaining a certificate so there definitely are some tough times and long hours... but worth it.
The social scene is amazing! The Spanish culture is incredible and so open and kind. Most of the bars will have party nights and it gives you the opportunity to get to know the locals.
My group and I took a few trips on the weekend in hire cars which was incredible and got to see other parts of Costa Rica.

I 100% would recommend this trip to anyone who likes the beach, new cultures, animals, jungles and can party! (Just a reminder it’s not a 5* location... but that’s what makes it such a standout. You really do experience life in a different way).

My 3 months as an assistant volunteer at a small private school and large goverment school was incedibly rewarding and personally satisfying. Apart from teaching basic English and Maths I coached cricket which the children absolutely loved! The staff at Volunteer House (VH) were incredibly helpful, while VH itself was clean with good facilities including bar area, and 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) on weekdays, and by arrangement on weekends. Be prepared though for intermittent
interruption to power and water supply.