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

Program Reviews

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Mohammed
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

100% recommend this experience

An amazing experience. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves traveling and wants to gain experience teaching. Some of the placement areas are not that modern so it would be wise to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Aside from that, I have had the opportunity to learn about Thai culture, travel Thailand, meet amazing people, and leave my comfort zone.
The best part about this was that it is fully funded and that Gotoco plan all the logistics. The communication from Gotoco was seamless when support was required.

Pros
  • Fully Funded
  • Gotoco handle all logistics
  • Meet amazing people
Cons
  • Not entirely modern
  • Stray dogs
  • Some rural areas do not have a huge amount of food options for people with halal/vegetarian/vegan dietary requirements.
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Louisa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Short Summer Programme (SPAIN)

Volunteering to teach English in Spain with GoToCo is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I think the real-life skills that one can gain when participating in a GoToCo programme is truly beneficial, especially if they want to pursue education and/or teaching English to speakers of other languages.

One of the most memorable highlights of my overall experience is my interaction with the Spanish participants. That is the one thing that would definitely stick with me for a long, long time. I had such lovely conversations with them during our 1-2-1 sessions. Some in which include life lessons, career advice, and their experience. Truly once in a lifetime experience.

Pros
  • Easy application
  • Active coordinators
  • TEFL Certificate
Cons
  • Limited food option (vegetarian or no-pork)
  • Isolated village
  • Slow wifi
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Deyaanjali
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Don't miss out on this opportunity!

It's a great experience for people keen to work or live abroad with a genuine interest to integrate into the local culture. I was on the Thailand program and despite not knowing the local customs or language, was encouraged to completely immerse myself. Teaching was an absolute joy, but I wish the TESOL training had been more substantial and more in advance of the actual lessons that I took. Accommodation could also have been better, as although my roommates were very nice, we were told that we would share our rooms with a maximum of 1 other person and I ended up with 4 others like a hostel!

However, for a fully funded experience, with cheap accommodation, travel and food, I would highly recommend this as an opportunity for personal growth, to meet new people and to learn about a completely different culture while giving back to the country by volunteering.

Pros
  • Made many new friends with like-minded individuals
  • Learnt new skills which I can now add to my CV to increase my employability
  • Immersed myself in a completely different culture and out of my comfort zone
Cons
  • A few hidden costs which were not mentioned clearly at the beginning of the program
  • The TESOL training could have been better organised
  • Accommodation was difficult to cope with as it did not match what was promised
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Zara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thailand Short Programme

I really enjoyed my time in Thailand. It gave me the opportunity to develop new skills and go outside of my comfort zone to try new things.

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Paul
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life

This may sound a bit OTT, but it was the best experience of my life. It's hard to fully put into words because everyone's experiences will be so different, special, and unique to them. But I guess I would sell it as: when will you get an opportunity like this again? Just go for it, throw yourself into it, have fun, take a few risks, try things you wouldn't usually and embrace everything. You won't regret a single second.

I'd recommend a programme with GoToCo to anyone, it truly is one of the greatest things I've ever done.

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Konrad
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience with Gotoco

I have just finished a 7-week program with Gotoco in Thailand. This fully-funded cultural exchange and teaching placement is definitely worth it. The program started with an orientation week in the coastal city of Hua Hin, where accommodation and a stipend for food were provided, as well as a range of fun cultural activities such as Muay Thai, language lessons and a Thai cooking class. After this, I was able to teach English in an international language centre in Bangkok for 5 weeks before returning to Hua Hin to provide an English lesson for Buddhist Monks as well as an afternoon of learning-based games with local Thai schoolchildren. I think Gotoco is a great program for young people looking to travel, gain career opportunities and get experience teaching abroad. It also helps you to meet lots of new people and do things outside of your comfort zone.

Pros
  • Cultural exchange
  • Teaching experience
  • Travelling
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Fergus
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thailand Short Program

They support you before and during your placement to set you up for moving abroad, as well as making sure you don't feel lost when you're there. I think the induction week they provide before you meet your new school is a good primer to being in a new country, and I particularly enjoyed the language lessons they provide to help you with basic communication.
I found the weekly stipen more than enough to cover my expenses and I was able to use my weekends off to explore other areas of the country.
Without GoToCo I would not have found out about these opportunities to live and teach abroad.

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Shania
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Would 100% recommend!

I completed my TESOL and work placement for 3 months in Thailand and gained real life teaching experience. It was a really life changing experience, to see a different part of the world and different cultures. It allowed me to improve my confidence as teaching can be very scary and nerve-wracking at first. But with training and practise I was able to become a lot more confident. I think whichever job role or career I move in to next, this experience has greatly benefited me and my professional skills.

I was also able to travel around parts of Thailand on long weekends / public holidays. I had the best time.

Pros
  • TEFL Certification
  • Travel & work abroad
  • Met amazing people!
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Glenn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

6 weeks teaching Chiang Mai, Thailand

I loved having the opportunity to fully immerse myself within Thailand and have the chance to mix with the locals. I think it made the experience of traveling significantly more worthwhile. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone. This programme has allowed me to make new friends and grow as a person in terms of confidence and social skills. Now I feel like I am more relaxed in these situations. This programme has allowed me to make new friends and grow as a person in terms of confidence and social skills. Now I feel like I am more relaxed in these situations.

Pros
  • Fully funded
  • Choices of location
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Zakaria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Gotoco experience in Thailand

I think Gotoco's programs are a great opportunity to learn more about yourself, and learn some new skills all when travelling in a different country and experiencing its culture and traditions. The programme was handled professionally and help was provided when asked for. I have many good memories from the experiences they offered us but in particular I loved taking part in a Thai cooking class, learning Thai language and visiting the Wildlife Animal Foundation. This programme helped me both personally and professionally, allowing me to gain more confidence when speaking, to improve my organisational and time management skills.

Pros
  • Fully funded
  • Quick processes
  • Many funded experiences and activities