TravelGrad

I joined the CTE for what was supposed to be 10 months in 2018, but I loved my experience in China so much, that I ended up staying for 16 months! The director Andrew was highly supportive and made sure our transition from the UK to China was as smooth as possible. I had several reservations before leaving for China, for instance, being a black woman; Andrew put me at great ease by ensuring to connect me with previous black applicants that shared their experiences with me. I would 100% recommend this life-changing experience.

If you are thinking about working abroad I could not recommend travelgrad any more! I travelled to China to do the China Teaching Experience in 2018-2019 and had an unforgettable experience. Initially I was slightly apprehensive but they put me at ease. Andrew supported me throughout the whole process from visa application - the end. They were able to place me in the same city as my friend and find me a work contract that gave me plenty of free time to explore China and further afield. I also got to spend 2 months travelling Thailand during my holidays from work during the spring break. This experience not only was fun it also helped me make further life decisions where I’m now a qualified in the UK. 100% recommend this experience.

South Korea is a fantastic Country, (significantly if you grew up in the UK) It's so safe, you can literally leave your phone on the table and disappear for an hour, come back and it will still be there! The people are amicable and genuinely do their best to help foreigners in need. Enough people in big cities (not countryside places) speak broken English, so you can get by fine - Download papago!

Getting used to the style of food here is quite an experience, they have some strange combinations and some very delicious ones. If you're not a fan of their food it's okay, the quality of the foreign food here is incredible! it won't make you feel at home, because it's better than the food at home.

There are lots to see, if you love party life Korea has some amazing clubs. The drink prices are cheap, travelling is very cheap. Honestly, it's a no-brainer. For one year of your life, I recommend everyone should travel. This place like many other countries will open up your eyes, and the way you perceive life. You'll never meet people like you do when you travel, all unique personalities with different life stories.

The first 3 months feel difficult because youre having a culture shock but also need things like an ARC card to sign up for most things like getting a phone contract etc. But once you overcome that hurdle it's smooth sailings. Remember you are coming here with nothing as a new citizen, so there are things to sort out. If I can do it, anyone can. All great things come at a price, this one just takes courage... with that, I'll end with a quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt...

“Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”

Before graduating last year, the idea of living and working abroad sounded amazing. Travel Grad popped up on Grad Intel and I thought: I’ve got nothing to lose by signing up and asking a few questions. The first call I had with Andrew was professional, yet casual and genuine; basically, you can tell that his service is legit. I’d never worked with children before, let alone teach… So, it was even more of a plus to find out that Andrew taught and lived abroad himself; I gathered that voicing any of my concerns and questions would be met with understanding… as he’s walked this path before! And it's true.

Travel Grad literally works around the clock, I don’t know if I’d be able to level with, or trust, a different agency or set of people- I'm really pleased that I stuck with Travel Grad and began this whole journey with them! Andrew and Travel Grad helped me to leave the UK feeling pretty content with things.

I’ve been here for 3 months now, and it really is one of the best choices I’ve made. It’s been great to push out of the bubble of back home, and do something brand new and different. But at the roots of my experience so far, I've got a lot of gratitude for Travel Grad. They have been helpful, authentic, communicative, and you could read anything you like: but the only way to properly know is to do! Going with Travel Grad was like doing it by yourself with a guide; things have been way smoother than if I'd tried to sort it all out myself.

TravelGrad was fantastic in helping me to overcome both administrative/bureaucratic barriers and the general anxieties of moving to the other side of the world.

The service and support they offered was friendlier and more personal than other providers and made the whole process as smooth as could be.

The school I was placed at was safe, well managed and supportive. Through them I ended up in a great place where I got make more friends, experience a new culture, food and language and have some amazing adventures!