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TravelGrad - Teach Abroad

Why choose TravelGrad - Teach Abroad?

Hey, we’re Travel Grad, your post-uni work and travel experts here to connect you with exciting alternatives to the typical ‘grad job’ route at home.

We’re here to make leaving your comfort zone comfortable. Because there’s so much more to the world than what’s on your doorstep, and you deserve to experience it. But how do you overcome the bureaucratic barriers and bag of nerves standing between you and your adventure? Where do you find legit opportunities you can count on? It all comes down to having the right support — and supporting you is what we do best.

We're all about making your move abroad hassle-free and exciting. Through our fully-supported opportunities, we create a soft landing in your new home so you can arrive with the friends, confidence and support to make a success of it from day one.

Since 2014, we’ve helped hundreds of grads start eye-opening overseas adventures and kickstart their graduate lives. And now, it’s your turn.

Founded
2014

Reviews

Default avatar
Daniel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Chinese Adventure

I am currently teaching IELTS English in China, Zhejiang, Ningbo.
Having seen a posting by TravelGrad online, I decided to apply and had a phone call with Andrew within the next couple days.
The process of going to teach in China is long, but TravelGrad were there to help every step of the way. TravelGrad found and arranged interviews with schools, detailed how exactly to apply for a Chinese Visa, and gave lots of more general life about living in China.
Given how complex the process of getting a job and a visa in China is, I highly doubt that I would currently be having such a great time in China now, if it wasn't for the efforts and help of the TravelGrad team, who were available 7 days a week, every week, if I needed their help.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Pig brain - disgusting!
Pros
  • Opportunities to experience new culture
  • Chances to build new skills
Cons
  • Time away from family
Default avatar
Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience in Thailand

I'm so glad I chose TravelGrad for my first teaching abroad experience. Andrew was always available to answer any questions, even though I was in a completely different time zone in the US. I loved that I was able to meet a ton of other teachers at orientation before going to my placement, which helped me not feel alone. My experience teaching in Thailand has been such an adventure! Students are so friendly and excited to see you. Everywhere you walk on campus, you will hear "Hello teacher!" or "Good morning teacher!" and see smiling faces greeting you. They get so excited over small things like playing learning games, which makes it so fun to teach them. I have felt safe and welcomed in my city the entire time. Overall, it has been such a fulfilling experience, and I'm so glad I took the leap and signed up. Also, I can't complain about eating amazing Thai food every night!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I was surprised by all the Christmas celebrations. I thought since it was mostly a Buddhist country that there would not be much for celebrations and I was a bit sad at that thought. However, my school put on an amazing Christmas program and there was a massive Christmas parade like nothing I've ever seen.
Pros
  • Getting to know Thai teachers and people in our neighborhood.
  • Meeting lots of Brits (the other teachers) and making friends with them.
  • Eating out nearly every night because it is so cheap!
Cons
  • My classrooms did not have A/C, only ceiling fans, so I had to get used to being sweaty!
  • Traveling around Thailand can be somewhat difficult if you are placed very far from Bangkok.
Read my full story
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Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2 moves abroad in 2 years

In January, I was living and teaching in South Korea which was never part of my plans. I had an incredible time, but my original goal was to reach Shenzhen in China.

I've been living in Shenzhen for around 4 months now and what a life!! Hasn't been easy adjusting but it's worth it with an open attitude. The time you have for yourself here with working in a public school is unmatched, and almost unbelievable. Andrew is a mate, he's genuinely just on the other end of the phone and willingly helps in any way that he can with any concerns you might have.

Life in Shenzhen is so unique, I'm riding an electric scooter to commute to my job which only needs me 4 days a week for a few hours. It can be a proper challenge, managing 40-50 children in each given class but the balance comes with no office hours, banging free school lunches and a healthy payslip each month. I've made amazing memories and have a little family here now, and I'm not even halfway through this first year here. It makes me excited for the future, not anxious, not dread, not hopelessness (which is what the uk gives me lol).

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Learn some of the language and willingly make a fool out of yourself to test out what you know. Just try, cos it makes for funny moments & stories, and gives you more insight to the culture and society.

Embrace the good and bad, stay on your toes with a clear mind
Read my full story
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Olivier
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Really awesome experience for new or seasoned travellers

I’m currently on the Thailand taster course. TravelGrad made it super easy dealing visa applications and getting you in touch with the local company. Andrew in particular seems like he never sleeps and is always ready to respond to any questions.

Technically you can do all the visa applications yourself but having the peace of mind knowing you’ve got all the documents you need and checked all the right boxes for when you touch down is well worth it. Also just having a first port of call for any issues when you’re out and while you’re getting ready to leave is invaluable for saving yourself time and stress.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Before orientation spent some time on Khosan road in Bangkok, ate a tarantula spider and about 5 scorpions (for less than the price of a pint back home)
Pros
  • Builds independence
  • Met amazing friends
  • Seen amazing things
Cons
  • Adjustment period can be tough at times
  • I know I’m gonna have to finish and go home
  • Bit of a stressful start to teaching but worth it
Default avatar
Juhi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Most amazing experience

My experience has been amazing and it’s all thanks to the support that TravelGrad has provided me with. The process of moving abroad can be extremely daunting but it was the most stress free experience for me. That was all because TravelGrad helped me through all the steps and guided me on how to do everything! I have only positive things to say about them and will always recommend them to anyone who wants to teach abroad! It is my second year working with TravelGrad and all the advice I was given was so personal and they really looked after all of us coming here.

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I wanted to experience a different culture and a different way of life to the one I am used to. In choosing this option I was able to work alongside this which was a rewarding role. This program also gives a lot of opportunity to travel which I also took advantage of. After speaking with staff at TravelGrad I also felt confident that they would be able to support me throughout the program.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

TravelGrad made the whole process very simple. They instructed me on what I needed to do and provided support and answered any questions I had when needed. Staff at TravelGrad are attentive and reply quick to messages. There was very little if anything that I had to organize on my own. TravelGrad instructed me on how to complete visa process which was extremely helpful.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I would say that you have to be patient with ways that things are done in other cultures. This was especially evident for me in the workplace coming from the UK where we have quite a serious fast paced work culture was as in South East Asia the work culture is far more relaxed. I would also say to make the most of the travel opportunities when you're there and visit as many countries and places as possible.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I would wake up around 7:30 and would be in work for 8:45 and work up until the long lunch break at 11:30. I would then go back into work for another couple of hours before the end of the day. My work days were fairly relaxed as the long lunch break gives you time to recharge after morning work. I was working on average 20 hours a week and that was more than enough to enjoy a great standard of living.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was the large class sizes. I was told there could be up to 50 students in one class and I was thinking that they could be too hard manage. When I got there I was happy to hear that I would have a Vietnamese teaching assistant who would help me manage the class. This gave me the confidence to go in the classroom and teach while sharing the responsibility of classroom management.