Program Reviews

My favourite part was the teaching, I was anxious on the first day, but that went by the second day. I thought I would be totally out of my depth but the support from Gotoco was amazing and I was well prepared which gave me more confidence. When working with the teachers on our last teaching day I expected this to be the hardest lesson, but I did a lot more planning and had lots of back-up ideas depending on the teachers language ability and this one went really successfully, which goes to show how vital it is to plan lessons in advance. The students were fantastic and it was a real pleasure supporting them in their learning and it helped me to understand teaching a foreign language and give me some more scope to understanding the TEFL training and actually putting it into practice.

We stayed in quite a small town which was in a rural area and it was not set up for tourists, in that there were few restaurants, no souvenirs and English signage, which made it really nice and a truly authentic taste of what life was like for local residents. I have not really experienced anything like this within my travels as most holiday destinations are geared up towards tourism. We got quite a lot of attention from the locals as they were not used to tourists which was interesting.

Eating, going out and shopping like the locals was a fun experience, the food is amazing and I ate everything and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. I have eaten in Thai restaurants before, but this authentic food from markets and in local restaurants and food establishments was a genuine experience of local food as apposed to English-Thai takeaway food.

I had an amazing time on excursions in Ayutthaya, Utahi Thani and Bangkok, organised by our group leaders and also some things I had organised myself. Every experience was something new and there are plenty of things to experience, from food and markets, to modes of transport and temples galore. We also had a boat trip and a morning where we hired bicycles which were things that I didn't know were factored in to our stay. I was amazed by the temples, each very individual and unique, I was in aw when entering some of the beautiful buildings and shocked by the size of the Buddha. The people take really good care of the temples, both old ruins and more modern temples and you can see people are proud to have these vast monuments and respect them and utilize them. It was nice to see Thai tourists as well as non-Thai tourists enjoying these splendors and taking time to appreciate their history and significance to local people.

I really enjoyed our brief but fun-filled time in Bangkok, so I had the opportunity to experience a quiet culture in Uthai Thani and well as the hustle bustle of busy Bangkok for our final days in the midst of the city in China Town. Once again, our group leaders used their experience and knowledge to pick and recommend delightful eateries and gave us the best opportunities to explore together as a group and well as individually to make the most of our time. I really enjoyed every minute of my time in Thailand, it was more than I could have ever expected.

I had a fantastic experience with Gotoco in Thailand. The programme provided a great balance of TEFL training, practical classroom experience, cultural immersion and personal development.

Before arriving, I was nervous about teaching English abroad, especially as English is not my first language. However, the trainers were supportive, professional and always available to help. The TEFL course gave me the confidence to plan lessons, manage a classroom and engage students in meaningful learning activities.

One of the highlights was teaching Thai students in local schools. It was incredibly rewarding to see the students participate, learn new vocabulary and gain confidence in using English. The hands-on teaching experience was invaluable and helped me develop skills that cannot be learned from theory alone.

I also met amazing people from different countries, experienced Thai culture, and created memories that I will never forget. The programme challenged me in a positive way and helped me grow both personally and professionally.

I would highly recommend Gotoco to anyone interested in teaching English abroad, gaining international experience, and earning a TEFL qualification while making a real difference in the classroom.

Thank you to the Gotoco team for an unforgettable experience.

I have spent the last ten years focused on raising my children, so having the chance to do something purely for myself was both refreshing and empowering. The programme helped me grow in confidence, become more independent, and learn a lot about myself and what I am capable of. I also made wonderful friendships and created memories that I will never forget. Overall, it was a genuinely life-changing experience that has inspired me to travel more and continue challenging myself in the future.
I would highly recommend this programme because it provides a unique opportunity to develop both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact. The combination of teaching, cultural immersion, and working alongside people from different backgrounds creates an experience that is both rewarding and memorable.

My time in Thailand was fulfilling in both my private life and work life. This trip helped me strep out of my comfort zone in many ways than I realised when I got back. Professionally I developed a new sense of confidence as I got to teach both children and teachers english and the whole experience was learning experience for me. This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to some parts of Thailand you wouldn't normally venture into on a vacation. We got to experience Thailand in different modes( by road, by boat and by bike) I was blessed to have a cool cohort, we all got along and helped each other thrive. Experiencing Thai cuisine was on the top of the list for to do things before I travelled and I enjoyed it. I loved the fact that there is always food stalls everywhere was amazing to me. Shopping at markets gave me a knew skill of haggling prices which is encouraged.
Overall I came back with a new and renewed confidence when I travel. Having the opportunity to travel alone help me explore a side of myself as I got to go around taking pictures on cameras. Thailand infrastructure and the colours of the buildings, temples all make it the best place for photography.

I was part of the 2 week Thai teaching experience from from the 15th April until the 30th April. It was an incredible once in a life time experience where we were able to visit parts of Thailand that you wouldn't usually go to if you were backpacking. The teaching aspect was very rewarding and all the different groups we taught were extremely grateful.

The experience helped me to feel more confident in myself and push me to do things outside of my comfort zone. Everyone involved did such a good job

My two-week teaching placement in Thailand was one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences I have had, both personally and professionally. Before travelling, I was nervous about teaching children in a completely different culture and education system, especially as my background is mainly within Further Education. However, the programme staff and local teachers were welcoming and supportive from the start and quickly helped me feel comfortable.

One of the highlights of the experience was teaching English to young learners aged around 7–12. The children were incredibly respectful, enthusiastic, and eager to participate, even when there were language barriers. I particularly enjoyed using interactive activities & games. It made me reflect on how much learning can happen without relying heavily on spoken language alone.

What stood out most was the cultural exchange between teachers. I had the opportunity to observe Thai teaching approaches and discuss classroom practice with local teachers, which gave me a wider perspective on education globally. The experience strengthened my interest in inclusive teaching and intercultural education.

Outside of teaching, the group trips and cultural activities were unforgettable. Visiting temples, exploring local markets, trying traditional Thai food, and spending time with the other volunteers made the experience feel immersive rather than just a placement. I made friendships with people from different backgrounds and gained confidence travelling independently.

I would highly recommend this programme to anyone considering teaching abroad, especially those interested in education, cultural exchange, or personal growth. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone, developed my confidence enormously, and confirmed my interest in exploring education and teaching opportunities internationally in the future.

My teaching experience in Thailand was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I would highly recommend anyone offered this opportunity to take it. My time with Gotoco helped me grow in confidence, step outside my comfort zone, and experience a completely new culture first hand. I made unforgettable memories, met amazing people, and developed valuable skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and adaptability through teaching children of different ages. The support from the Gotoco team was amazing throughout the entire process, making the experience even more rewarding.

I loved my experience and would say it is beginner friendly because of the team at Gotoco & the team at Interway (in Spain) being made up of people who really do care about you and will look after you every step of the way!

On arrival, we were picked up from the airport and driven to the camp where our job was to assist with kayaking, archery and various other activities whilst communicating entirely in English to help the Spanish Campers practice their language skills.

The camp company was called Interway and our manager Guillermo (Will) was the kindest person we could have asked for! He always checked up on his, bought us snacks, drove us to excursions on our days off!

He got us a HUGE villa with an indoor pool for our first weekend - all the staff had a BBQ and really went above and beyond for the volunteers. He also took us to Salamanca, a sunset hike, and to a viewpoint to see the river that separates Portugal and Spain! They care about your experience on your days off - not just when you’re working!

If you want to travel solo, and explore working abroad but with that care, and reassurance that you will be okay, this is definitely for you!

The whole program in Thailand with Gotoco was amazing. It was smooth sailing and the guidance provided throughout was incredibly helpful. The whole team was supportive and the coordinators whilst out in Thailand showed great care and enthusiasm for safety and the enjoyment over the course of the two weeks. I have learnt so much and developed confidence to go abroad and throw myself into new adventures such as this. I had no doubts about the trip. For future jobs,It was offered and showed future opportunities to teach abroad.

I had an amazing experience with GoToCo in Thailand and I’m so glad I pushed myself to apply. I was nervous at first and nearly didn’t continue because I felt out of my comfort zone, especially being older than some of the other participants, but everyone was so welcoming and supportive.

Teaching in the schools really helped build my confidence, and I loved working with the children through singing, dancing, and interactive activities. I also really enjoyed the cultural experiences, especially visiting temples and attending the foam party.

The GoToCo team and local hosts were amazing throughout and always made sure we were looked after. Overall, it was a very positive and memorable experience that helped me grow in confidence. I have already recommended the programme to others I know 1 colleague has applied too.