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

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

Keturah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

6 weeks in Thailand!

Collaborating with Gotoco provided an exceptional and enriching experience. Engaging in a cultural exchange program while making an impact abroad is highly recommended for individuals from diverse backgrounds. The quality of professional development offered was excellent, and overall, it's an opportunity I'll always cherish. During the course, you'll need to complete TESOL, earning a valuable qualification upon completion. This aspect adds significant value to the program, opening doors to teaching English in foreign countries worldwide.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Speaking on stage in front of the whole school in Thai! I got my partner teacher to help me with writing the speech and pronunciation and I practised all night long! This was a very proud moment for me.
Pros
  • Learnt a new culture
  • Met people from different walks of life
  • Learnt various new skills
What other participants should know
  • Lack of vegetarian food
  • Colourism within Thailand
  • Tesol hadn’t been finished writing so couldn’t complete before the end of the programme.
Jamie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly recommend

This was an unforgettable experience which I will remember for the rest of my life! The highlights were making new friends with both the other Gotoco teachers and the local Thai people. I believe I now have a second family and I am planning on going back to see them. I loved teaching the Thai children and learning about their culture especially trying the different foods. My school was amazing and the whole community made us feel so welcome! I would describe my experience as very memorable and enjoyable with many more ups than downs. I loved being engrained in Thai culture and every day was exciting full of smiles and opportunity.

Kate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

cannot recommend enough!

I was a little apprehensive before starting this program as I didn't really know what to expect, but it's the best decision I've ever made! I did the 6 months program in Thailand and I got to see so much of Thailand, gained so much experience in teaching as well as life experience, and made so many friends! It's amazing that it's all paid for (except deposits) and when you're out here you have enough money on your stipend to travel on the weekends (and after if you're clever with your budgeting and save!) Lots of people from the program are teaching in Thailand now, around Asia and I'm off to Australia next so it opens up lots of possibilities. You will obviously have to work in your training and at your school, it's not a free holiday so do bear that in mind, but IMO it's worth it even if you don't want to go into teaching after due to all the skills and experience you gain anyway. I'm so glad I did this and can't recommend it enough!

Pros
  • It's all funded!
  • Meeting new friends
  • Gaining a TESOL qualification
Kimberley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

You have to do this program!

After graduating uni, I had never left Europe and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I decided to apply for Gotoco on a whim and it is the best thing I have ever done! You get to travel and enjoy new countries and cultures all for free! You have to pay a £200 deposit but get it back when you finish the program and other than that everything is paid for for you, flights, accommodations, meals etc! You also get a Trinity TESOL qualification for free too! You will not regret doing this and I cannot recommend enough!

Jasmina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly recommend

I was skeptical with how my experience would play out at first with Gotoco, but my whole experience with Gotoco has been better than I could ever have thought. Not only have I now got a teaching qualification out of this experience but I have made lifelong friends and broadened my cultural awareness further through traveling in a new country and learning new cultures.
I feel like some friends are still stuck on what to do and I always recommend travel and gaining some experience to broaden your mind.
The experience I gained from this all has been invaluable to me and something I will never forget. I only have positive things to say about Gotoco.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
It was my first time going to Thailand and I was unsure about how the programme would work, as I accepted the offer very last minute - the week of flying.

However, the organisers handled it very efficiently and managed it so well throughout considering it was done very last minute for me.
Pros
  • Teaching qualifications
  • Exposure to new food and culture
  • Lifelong friends
What other participants should know
  • Away from family
  • Qualification can be hard work
  • Home-sickness
Harriet
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What an experience!

I loved all of it. The food was out of this world, the trips were fantastic. It was nice not having to organise everything ourselves- our trip coordinator handled a lot of that for us. The experience as a whole was amazing, the fact that I wouldn't be able to afford to do these things on my own didn't matter because the trip and course was funded was amazing. I made some great friends for life and had some unforgettable experiences. I was able to prove to myself that I can teach and that's something I didn't know before

Gabriel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly developing and enriching time!

During my over two months volunteering in Colombia with GOTOCO I made loads of memories, while traveling around this beautiful country, learned how to be a teacher and made new connections! As a team we were always helping each other out but also had a great time during weekends! Our leader was always there for us and was very professional and resourceful whenever we needed her. The accommodation and and hosting family made us feel like home throughout the whole stay. I can definitely recommend you joining one of their programs!

Aliyah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Short Term Thai trip

What made this trip great was the host and the school I was placed at, although others in the cohort did not feel the same. Being immersed in that setting, getting to meet the kids and getting to know the educators was great! The host made this trip special, he and his wife organised the best excursions and treated us so kindly.
As for the organisation and overall programme, it could be better. The TESOL is okay and the coordinators too. They will provide you with guidance and the main project coordinator is the best to speak to.
Also if you are lucky enough, you will meet like-minded people who will be friends for a lifetime.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be prepared to embrace an easy-going lifestyle, not all according to plan, the TESOL doesn't teach you to teach, you will make mistakes, teaching in schools is very games heavy!
Pros
  • the host
  • the school
  • funding provided
What other participants should know
  • programme organisation
  • programme structure
  • TESOL
Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience!

I had an incredible time on my GoToCo course and met so many people along the way that I have continued to meet up with after the course ended. I gained so much valuable experience about teaching and Thai culture and was afforded such a unique and otherwise pretty unreachable experience by being placed in such a rural area.

My host was generous and friendly and I will be going back soon to visit her and the school. I am now living and teaching in Bangkok, something that would not have been possible without GoToCo. I would highly recommend this course to anyone, but especially those wanting to have a different travelling experience than most.

Quinn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience!

This was a great company to use in order to travel and have a unique experience within a strong community and support system. Travelling to those places less travelled and having a time that you would get nowhere else is a memory that I wont forget. I feel that the course is well worth doing, as it allows individuals to really get out of their comfort zones and build their own confidence in themselves to stand up and present in front of people. Definitely apply, you will have the time of your life

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I wouldnt change anything!
Pros
  • Supportive
  • Adventure
  • Culture