TravelBud

When I first started thinking about traveling to teach English abroad I was very intimidated. Luckily I found Travelbud and the amazing people there made my experience and preparation so much easier and less stressful than I could have imagined. This is an amazing and life changing experience! It changed my life for the better and all of the reps were super helpful whenever I had questions! Kim especially was always helpful and kind when I needed help! Korea has been an unforgettable experience! Good food, great people, safe area, good accommodation, fair pay. There are also so many amazing places to go and sites to see. I highly recommend trying this if you’re looking for a new experience or life change.

The programme has been very useful in providing everything I needed for my teaching career abroad. They provide excellent customer service, and their employees are some of the kindest people I've ever known. They will actively go out of their way to help with any difficulties, and are very knowledgable about the entire process. Saskia has been incredibly helpful, and has made the whole experience a lot less stressful and straightforward. I would definitely recommend this programme to anyone considering teaching abroad.

I think I had the right idea coming here with little to no expectations. I did not realize how much pressure we had in the States to be or not to be many things on a daily basis. I was fueled by appreciation from the start based on overcoming so many odds as a woman of color doing something this crazy, like moving to another country. I chose Costa Rica based on the support from Travel Bud from the very beginning. I want to take this moment to recognize Kim as a huge part of why I continue to let the Pura Vida lifestyle guide me as I learn myself in the most accepting country of inner peace. Another shout out to Adam for his vulnerability in his journey allowing me to know at that time of my life when I needed clarity, the high mountains on this island would give me the perfect view to do so. I can not tell you all of these perfect things that are amongst the forests' green trees and clear waters, the peculiar creatures that you MUST learn share a space with and the amount of rice and beans you will eat, because sometimes it has not been perfect at all. However every day that I wake up in this small town I feel the spirit of the simple life I was told about and no it is not always ideal to not have one-day Amazon shipping for hair products or CHIPOTLEEE, God do I miss those things, BUT I have never been able to understand myself more than I have all my life. From the small precious moments tucked away in Pura Vida in the classrooms to the solitude with the waves, to the bright smiles of women in the local sodas, or the gentlemen that let you cross the road in these crazy streets or the giggles from your little students when you pronounce some Spanish wrong. It really has brought out the best versions of myself and for that, I get the chance to say I know how to live in gratitude every day because of this experience. If you don't believe me, you'll just honestly have to take a chance and come see for yourself. I promise the country won't disappoint you.

From the first inquiry to now, this program has been incredible. I have felt heard, seen, understood, supported and cared for this entire process. It is not an easy thing to move across the world, but my coordinators, Kim, SJ and Emma have made an unforgettable impact on my life. Their transparency, patience, relatability, reliability and dedication, to me, is worth more than I can even write into words.

When I first came to Korea, on my first day I experienced a medical emergency. They were so attentive and helped me with everything from the taxi to ensuring I submitted medical claims properly.
My best memory so far is wearing a Hanbok. I really enjoyed connecting with other expats living here.

Second, the school they partnered me with has been a wonderful experience. I love my kids dearly and I have been able to see them grow not only in their academics but socially as well.

I can't thank you enough for helping my dream come true ❤️.
감사합니다~
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My experiences teaching and living abroad in Thailand through the TravelBud agency are continuing to shape who I am with each day! I have been working and living here since July 2023, am still here until at least March 2024, and would want to be no where else in this world. Want a sure way to test your grit, expand your mind, and build your mental capacity to understand and appreciate cultural differences? Go teach and live abroad!

I embarked on my journey with the TravelBud agency. They seem to only hire people who have had experiences living and working abroad, which is very helpful. My support manager, Kim (South Africa), has been nothing but a true gem for me in my experience. As black women, our experiences through life abroad are VERY different from those of other races. It continues to be comforting that I have Kim to relate to as I tackle the day-to-day challenges that arise. We have developed a life-long connection thanks to Travel Bud!

Through this agency, I was connected to an “on-site” company. I’m guaranteed a job placement, although job security in Thailand is very loose. Schools have the liberty to hire and fire at will! The in country partner has done a beautiful job of leading the hiring process, handling logistics, and keeping up with visa needs. The partner also assists with housing arrangements—- paid through your monthly salary. Most schools pay you a salary in which you can afford to live generously off of. It’s a pretty solid program that’s being run, although I do question the legality of hiring teachers and allowing them to work before they receive official work permits (perhaps some under the table actions happening—- *wink* *wink*).

Please understand that living and working abroad is not all of what it may be cracked up to be. Agencies will show you ALL of the good in what could come with this type of lifestyle, for there is in fact much good in these experiences. However, you must be willing to do a lot of introspective work in order to truly thrive in this type of environment. There will be ups and downs. If you develop the skills needed to turn the “downs” into “ups”, however, you’re sure to have a life-changing experience. You won’t know what it’s like until you’re in your new city, in your new school, and living out the truth of what it is to be abroad. I can honestly say, however, that I’ve received ample support through everything.

If teaching and living abroad sounds like something you’d be into (even if there’s just a small ounce of curiosity), I say go for it!