Program Reviews

I recently completed my 6 month teaching contract in Yangon, Myanmar with Greenheart Travel. Applying to Greenheart was the best decision I've ever made. Greenheart handled all of the difficult processes of the journey (TESOL Program, contracts with local schools, business visas, finding an apartment + suitable roommate) and made it a smooth and easy transition into my new life! My 8 months in Asia let me live my dreams and help some awesome kids + adults sharpen their English along the way. *shoutout to Sara Thacker for being so helpful and responsive before + during my entire journey!*

Greenheart Travel placed me in a very spacious, furnished apartment in a very authentic neighborhood in Yangon, Myanmar. I loved being completely immersed in the people's culture - San Chuang had bustling street markets every morning. I saw few to none foreigners in my every day life, but there were plenty of places to connect with Westerners as well! There are plenty of nice restaurants, bars, and clubs, but eating local is extremely cheap (about $0.50 - $3 USD for a meal) and delicious! Yangon lacks many of the conveniences we take for granted (i.e. clean / unlimited water, assurance of electricity, sanitary civil structuring..) but is easy enough to still live comfortably.

Greenheart made it easy to get acquainted with other foreign teachers in the area, so I had a group of English speaking friends right away. Aside from them, I quickly made local friends of all ages, as Burmese people are extremely welcoming and inviting. A simple smile and "mingalaba!" goes a long way, and many people are eager to speak English with native speakers. I strongly recommend teaching, living, or just visiting Myanmar, their culture is unparalleled by any other people. Entirely unique, authentic, and still closely in tact with ancient traditions.

I would highly recommend the Greenheart Teen Language Camp in Salamanca, Spain. I attended for 6 weeks which was treat for truly learning the language. I had an amazing experience! While it was difficult in the beginning it ended up being one of the most rewarding experience. I learned more in 3 weeks than I did in 2 years of learning Spanish in school. The instructors were so wonderful and fun. You can walk everywhere and everyone does. It is such a beautiful city and evergone is so friendly.

My Thai Life for 2-months was the most incredible experience I have ever had. I hesitated to teach abroad for years and for numerous reasons. Now, I would never doubt or feel hesitant again. Teaching in Thailand was absolutely life-altering. I became a better educator. I became more culturally enlightened. I became more patient, humble, and appreciative. I challenged myself in mind, body, and spirit. I made so many life-long Thai friends. I would travel with Greenheart again in a heart beat. The entire staff was impeccable. I am so grateful I chose them for my teaching adventure. XploreAsia their partnering team in Thailand was also amazing. Both companies taught me so much about the reality and life of traveling and teaching abroad. This program also teaches you how to gracefully handle the positive and negative aspects that are indeed inevitable when you are out of your comfort zone. I appreciated every moment and would recommend to anyone who has thought about teaching abroad to just, GO!

Volunteering with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society has been one of the best experiences that I've ever had. I’ve loved seeing elephants, volunteering with the program, and meeting such amazing people. It was my first time traveling alone which is why I found the experience to be a challenge, but all the staff and volunteers at the fieldhouse really made you feel at home. I loved getting to do hands on fieldwork and getting to work outside so much. Each morning we would split into groups to go complete different projects which I liked because we got to do a variety of different things and see how all the different projects were run. In the afternoons we would get to go and observe elephants, we wouldn't see them every day, but when you did it was really special. Even the days that we didn't see any we wouldn't get bored because there was so much to learn about everyone you were with.

I learned a lot about myself on this trip. I had never traveled alone before and at first I didn't really trust myself but after arriving home I realized that I was capable of way more than I first gave myself credit for. I realized that I really enjoy hands on learning and I love being outside even more than I thought. This trip taught me a lot about Sri Lankan culture, the elephant conflict, different people around the world, and myself. It was an eyeopening experience and I would highly recommend it!

My 6 month study abroad program in France helped me not only gain fluency in the french language but it helped me gain a much stronger independence and confidence as well as self-understanding that I feel can only be accomplished through an experience like studying abroad. I met amazing people in my host community as well as other exchange students from all over the world, and was able to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world in my travels throughout France, and it was all possible thanks to Greenheart travel who connected me with an amazing host family and school in a really cool town.

The Greenheart staff, Sarah Thacker in particular, was very helpful. From the program requirements, to the cv/resume templates, to the visa paperwork, Greenheart led the way. I would have preferred that visa paperwork arrive earlier because that created some stress as I prepared to leave, but otherwise very helpful. I was placed in an International School in the Bangkok suburb of Nonthaburi. The school provided very decent housing on campus. The curriculum was provided, but at times lacked clarity and needed materials. I was asked to be lead teacher and served as an intermediary between the staffing agency and the other American teachers. This occasionally led to some headaches, but overall I embraced the role. Perhaps, the lead teacher should be paid slightly better for the handful of additional tasks. Which were at times quite time consuming. Our school was supportive and the students were brilliant. They were eager to learn English, and it was my pleasure to teach them. Sarah Thacker answered question after question prior to my departure, and I am grateful for that.

I had one of the most amazing families anyone could get! They were the sweetest and did not mind showing me around anyplace I wanted to go. I loved Hakata station and an old lady basically pulled me into a crammed elevator while laughing because I was afraid I couldn't fit! The people in this particular town seemed so nice and open to foreigners. I personally felt like I fit in there. The staff was fun and did not mind if we asked what certain things were or got particularly confused even if the rest of the class got annoyed. Everyone had such a positive atmosphere that even the rain didn't seem to phase.

Wow this has been quite an experience! I have to say Salamanca is one of the most gorgeous cities I have ever visited. I honestly loved everything in there - my host family, my roommate which became a very close friend of mine, the school, the fact that I improved my Spanish skills so much, the teachers, all of the people in the program, the city, the food - in one word everything. I have already been studying Spanish for 3 years but I have never had the confidence nor the chance to speak and practice it outside of my classes which was one of the main reasons why I joined this program. I truly gained more confidence in that department and when I visited Madrid right after my stay in Salamanca I had no problem with speaking with the locals which made me so happy. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and my stay there was very short. I would have loved to stay for at least 4 weeks, but since it was my first time traveling alone and joining a language camp in a foreign country I thought that 2 weeks would be an appropriate amount of time to stay there. I would definitely recommend this journey to everyone, especially if you are in high school and I am considering on returning next year.

Going to Spain was the one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I learned so much Spanish between my classes and host family that now, I feel much more comfortable speaking Spanish around native speakers. I made so many new friends from all over the US and Europe! I especially will remember how friendly and selfless everyone was. My host mom was always there and ready to help us with anything. The teachers were incredible and adapted perfectly to each student’s needs. I want to go back!

The teen summer language camp in Salamanca, Spain exceeded all my expectations. I know have friends all over the world and a much stronger grasp on the Spanish language from living with a host family. I am glad I completed this program before college because I feel far more prepared to be independent/away from my parents. I would, and already have, recommend this program to absolutely everyone. I typically am not the most outgoing person in the room, but my experience in Salamanca has helped me to come out of my shell and has given me newfound confidence. I cannot stress enough how amazing this program is.