Program Reviews

I really enjoyed my experience traveling to Vietnam through TravelBud and their in-country partner. TravelBud (specifically Saskia) provided excellent support and was always available to answer any questions or concerns I had. Meeting new people, awesome experiences and practical teaching experience are a few of the many reasons why I enjoyed the in-class TESOL course. The TESOL course was quite intensive but I am glad I chose to do the in-class course, rather than doing a course online. They had a great program to assist with the transition and adjustment to living in a new country and also provided valuable cultural insights. I received good support and advice with regards to job placement and I am glad I chose the TravelBud program.

Teaching English in Asia has been the best thing I have done for myself! It has given me direction, independence and a new mindset. I really enjoyed the in country TESOL certificate I obtained as it also included an orientation week. We were thoroughly trained in all the different aspects of teaching from lesson planning to student management. We also had the opportunity to teach for 2 days in an actual school which prepped us for the real thing. During the orientation, we learnt how to cook traditional meals, learnt about the culture and had Thai lessons. Our accommodation was right by the beach, which was perfect for an early morning swim. I loved my experience and would highly recommend it to anyone looking into teaching abroad or for a change.

I left my job as a dental hygienist in the states to pursue another passion of mine; travel and culture. I'm so glad that I committed to working with TravelBud to get my TESOL certification to go back to a country I fell in love with two years prior! The first month in Hua Hin, Thailand was so much fun and the people I met in my program will be lifelong friends! The program is extensive and requires quite a bit of work and time but they prepare you very well for teaching in a Thai classroom! I am in a smaller more rural town now teaching which has its challenges but my experience so far has been great! I love teaching English to my students at school and will hate the day I have to say goodbye. I have learned so much about myself and the culture so far and I cannot wait to see what else is in store!

I’ve now been in Thailand an entire year and it has been the most rewarding experience I could have ever imagined! The in-class TESOL was the perfect way to acclimate myself to teaching English and the cultural orientation provided me with a strong foundation for my immersion into Thai society. The job placement process was smooth and I absolutely love my school and town! I teach the most amazing kindergarteners and have formed genuine relationships with my co-workers, both Thai and foreign. The in-country support is one of my favorite aspects of this program, as there was always someone to go to with questions and to check in on me. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a truly life changing experience!
Living in Thailand there are challenges and surprises at every turn, but the growth is so amazing.

My experience teaching in Panama has been amazing and very eye-opening. I instantly felt comfortable and at home with the team because of their friendliness and hospitality. They were very hands on and supportive; and will be with you every step of the way. The kids are so great and energetic; and they bring much energy and excitement, it is hard not to see your impact and influence on them and the community. Of course, there is always help from our supervisors if ever needed! I never felt alone or overwhelmed. The accommodations and community were great! The staff and everyone I met were friendly and always willing to help. My supervisor always encouraged me to travel and experience as much as the Culture as possible. He gave great suggestions and helped me navigate the country. The food was amazing! Every meal got better and better. I could not feel any less at home.
*Also, it is beach weather (humid and rain as well) so do not need much cover!! I packed way too much .

Saskia was an amazing contact. She has been with me constantly along the way. I also felt supported by her.

Travel Bud was extremely helpful with all our pre-departure planning. They made sure we were constantly up to date and in the loop with what was happening and what we needed to do. They assist you in getting all your relevant documentation together. You are made to feel at ease knowing you have everything you need.

It is almost always very scary going on adventures like these, and I can confidently say that Travel Bud really make you feel a lot calmer and less nervous while leading up to your departure. They are always available to help you when needed and answer any questions you have (even when you have very many - sorry Lucy! ;))

Travel Bud is also great with communication. They always check up to make sure you are okay and checking if they are able to help in any way.

I would (and already have) highly recommend Travel Bud to anyone.

Using a travel agency to start working overseas comes with many benefits. When working with TravelBud, not only do you get administrative support, a great Tesol course and you get to make connections pre-departure, but you also get emotional and honest communicative support. My agent, Lucy, communicated well and was always ready to answer any questions or guide me through any difficulties. I recommend using TravelBud because you will be working with individuals who have experience in what you are about to embark on. There were many times leading up to my departure where the agency and Lucy would share stories about their adventures and give their advice. Now, in Thailand, I often refer back to those stories and little gems in order to get me through whatever challenge I can overcome.

I only did the orientation week as I already had teaching qualifications. In the orientation week, they tried to squeeze lots of information in about culture, history, language, expectations in school which was helpful. Even though we were asked about our priorities for placement, it was not clear how it actually worked, how it was decided who goes where. For me, it worked out well, but for some, it was completely the opposite.
In general, I found the program quite expensive for mainly getting only some advice on life in Thailand and getting a placement, we had to pay everything on top of that (accommodation, food, etc.). It's nice to have all this information in one place, and get prepared for the life in Thailand, but I feel that we've just been passed from agent to agent, and that inflated the costs. Apart from that, I'm happy that I met like-minded people at the orientation week, and we were always kept busy with programs. However, I don't find it essential for teaching, as most of the time, you'll only get the answer: "it depends on which school, which region".

The reason why I chose to do this program with the TESOL is to learn more about the culture and prepare myself for my placement. This placement did it as whilst learning to teach, we were able to travel to different cities during the first month. They offered a few classes to learn more about history and language but I felt it was better for myself to experience it.

But the only thing I would say is, always plan for the unexpected because sometimes things change last minute and you need to be able to handle that as you are out in another country on your own.

Other than that, I have really enjoyed myself so far teaching here as the people who I've encountered with have been friendly! Living here isn't so expensive and travelling places is quite easy to use! Just make sure you are prepared for the month especially if it's your first time!

My experience was unique, life changing and fun. Travelbud provided support from day one, giving all the information and support needed along the way. They provided high quality training which included cultural orientation and booked great accommodation in every city on the trip. I never had to worry about not having the correct documentation and I loved every minute of teaching and travelling abroad. Travelbud helped to ensure that I was provided with a good job and a competitive salary. I would highly recommend this program to anyone seeking a teaching/travel abroad experience in a beautiful country that is rich in culture and scenery. Southeast Asia is a beautiful travel destination, and Vietnam is one of the most beautiful places to see and experience.