Gotoco FUNDED TEFL Adventures (Bali, Thailand, Colombia, Europe, SE Asia!)

Program Reviews

Manon
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience- would recommed!

I would say that if you are wanting to travel somewhere far from home (Europe) to a place like China which is unfamiliar then this is a good programme. It is great to arrive in an environment with a structure in place which creates a sense of security but also allows you to develop your own independence at your own pace.

I really enjoyed making new friends with people from all around the world. To the people I was teaching with, to the local Chinese people and to the people that were learning chinese at the chinese academy next door from Mexico, Spain, Germany... etc..

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The strangest thing I tried was dog. I met some Chinese friends that convinced me to try it as in south China it is a common thing to eat!!
Pros
  • I met incredible people
  • My students were great to teach
  • I got to experience a culture so different from my own and it made me want to travel more
Cons
  • I struggled with the food
  • Not all teachers had the same working hours
Freya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

6 months TESOL training

I had an amazing time in India with Gotoco! It was so fun to live in one place and experience the culture of Kerala from a first-hand point of view. The people are so lovely and are incredibly welcoming and the food is unreal. We made so many great friends and visited some incredibly beautiful places. I would really recommend Varkala, Kovalam, Alleppey and Munnar however, there are so many amazing places to go in Kerala/South India that's only a train ride away. Each state is like a different country, so try and see as much as you can!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Enjoy every moment! The time goes super fast, try to take it all in as much as you can and say yes to it all. India is so diverse and underrated so enjoy it and collect as many stories as you can!
Pros
  • Food
  • people
  • nature
Cons
  • communication
Fergus
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My TEFL experience in India

The experience was amazing. I had just finished university but didn't want to move into my chosen field straight away. I wanted to see the world and have a new challenge. This is perfect for all of that. You get a lot of freedom but the teaching is a huge amount of effort in the beginning, handling students of all ages is a real test of resolve and perseverance. But in the end it was the most worth job I have ever done and the added bonus of being in south India is massive. Great culture, cheaper living and the best food in the world.

What was your funniest moment?
We rented bikes in Mysuru, having never ridden before it was fairly scary. I was driving and the in front slammed on it's brakes in the middle of town. Then four cows sauntered past the front of the car, the whole experience seamed so casual there.
Pros
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Warm nature of people
Cons
  • Heat, hard at first
  • Public bathrooms are a state
  • Tough place for a women
Toby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What an experience!

I completed the 6 month programme in India and it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. You get to experience what South Indian culture is really like. Living in a place for an extended period really immerses you in their ways of life. From food to dancing to rain to genuine kindness from the heart, Kerala has it all. (Can’t emphasis enough how tasty the food is!!!) and the course allows you to experience it all. You gain a valuable teaching qualification alongside gettinf s favour of India. Getting practical experience in front of a class of 40 kids is daunting but so rewarding

What was your funniest moment?
My friend having one too many beers and breaking his toe doing a cartwheel!
Pros
  • Food
  • Teaching qualification
  • The beauty
Cons
  • Hot!
  • Sometimes slow communication
Clarissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing!

I had an incredible experience on the Gotoco program in China! The team was supportive from start to finish, the cultural exchange was amazing, and I met so many wonderful people. Teaching was rewarding and fun, and the activities/trips made it even more memorable. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for personal growth, culture, and adventure! I will do it every summer of my life !!

A big thank you to my coordinator, she did an amazing work with us 💕

What was your funniest moment?
Karaoke 💕
Benjamin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible TEFL experience in Vietnam

I was placed in very Rural Vietnam, incredible place, in the middle of nowhere and I really got to experience the true Vietnam away from the tourist spots and big cities. The Teaching was well guided and the Gotoco staff were incredible, especially Hayley. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to go into teaching, or wants a unique, fun, but challenging experience abroad. It opens your eyes to a different part of the world and you learn so much about teaching, Vietnamese culture and about yourself. 10/10

milly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

This programme was amazing and unforgettable. Getting to know the local children and experience cultural events was a highlight. The support was amazing throughout and the end of programme trip was so fun. I learnt so much and am so grateful for this experience. The people I got to share the experience with were amazing too. This is an excellent way to get into teaching, whilst being able to explore a beautiful county and try local cuisine. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to gain confidence.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I was very nervous about lesson planning but the support was incredible and resources were great.
Pros
  • Explore the country
  • Gain confidence and skills
  • Try local cuisine and make friends
Cons
  • Became quite home sick
Najoa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changing 6 months

The highlight for me was reaching all of my SMART goals that I set before the trip. I ended up doing Muoy Thai twice a week and losing 9kg in 6 months. I practised my Thai and can now understand and speak small phrases in a conversation. I have tried different Thai foods at loads of different restaurants. I managed to create a healthy routine that allowed me to socialise, have alone time, work out and get work done efficiently.

I was quite an uptight person before the programme and really wanted to adapt the Sabai Sabai attitude. As things constantly change within Thai school schedules this allowed me to overcome being uptight and learning to go with the flow, as and when plans change, than to get frustrated.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Sharing a room with a stranger haha but we ended up becoming best friends.
Pros
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Independence
Cons
  • Visa process
  • Potential war scares
Alana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gotoco Summer Camps ~ China review

Amazing experience, a great way to practise teaching, explore new countries/ cultures and meet likeminded people. Everyone on the Gotoco team was very welcoming and supportive throughout the whole process, they did an amazing job at keeping us safe and informed whilst teaching and travelling. I had a really good time meeting new people from across the world and forming friendships whilst exploring new places together. Definitely worth experiencing, such an immersive, rewarding way to spend Summer!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The first morning after orientation when we finally step into the classroom full of children and have to start the process of introductions and making the atmosphere less awkward, luckily for me the gotoco team provided lots of help with lesson prepping and different games to make the learning more interesting, which definitely proved to be a hit as the children were excited to learn in no time.
Pros
  • Traveling
  • New friends
  • Teaching experience
Cons
  • Quickly adapting/ changing lessons
  • Full on/ busy schedule
  • Teaching for full days can be challenging
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer 2025 in Guangzhou, China

In July 2025, I had the opportunity to join a two-week intensive summer camp in Guangzhou, China after being recruited by Gotoco. Gotoco handled the recruitment and placement, while the camp organisation itself provided support on-site. I worked as an English teacher, focusing on both language development and public speaking, following a CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) approach. The camp provided pre-designed lesson materials, which made preparation easier, although I still found myself spending a couple of hours most evenings adapting content for my classes.
Alongside teaching, I was also involved in leading afternoon craft sessions and organizing evening activities like games. These parts of the day pushed me out of my comfort zone but turned out to be some of the most rewarding. I especially enjoyed working closely with the students and watching them grow in confidence over the two weeks.

The camp was certainly intense. Each day was fast-paced, but I came away with stronger teaching, leadership, and communication skills.

One of the most memorable moments was our camp dance. The kids loved it so much that we ended up performing it constantly. Even now, whenever I hear the song, I feel like dancing along again!

I would definitely recommend Gotoco to anyone looking to step outside their routine and have a short-term adventure abroad while gaining valuable professional experience. As each camp is unique, your experience may vary depending on the placement, but for me, it was a memorable adventure.

What was your funniest moment?
Honestly, a lot of the funniest moments came from the little language mix-ups, mostly from the kids, but also from me. They’d say something totally unexpected in English, like mixing up words or using expressions in the wrong context, and we’d all just burst out laughing.
Pros
  • Developing professional skills
  • Getting a TEFL certificate
  • Discovering a new country
Cons
  • Pricy
  • Little free time