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

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

Megija
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IDEAS camp

My Experience with Gotoco was quite positive. The application process went smooth- I had to fill in some forms, record an introduction video and soon after that I got an invitation to a video interview with representatives of my program.
Gotoco helped me a lot with a preparation process before going to China. They provided helpful information on their website about getting Visa, traveling around China, etc.
One of the most enjoyable parts of a camp was people I spend time with. Other International counselors who also Applied through Gotoco were truly amazing people. They made my time in China much better. After the program, we went to explore Shanghai and Beijing together.
I Applied to Gotoco because I wanted to Get out of my Comfort Zone, challenge myself and this is what Gotoco gave me.

What would you improve about this program?
One thing Gotoco should improve is the speed how fast they answer on emails. It Took couple days sometimes to get an answer.
Joanna
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

my experience with Gotoco

I really enjoyed my experience in China, especially when visiting nearby cities on our days off such as Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing. The students, who were all highly motivated and eager to learn, were a joy to teach and the local teachers were all incredibly welcoming to us so the fear of not settling in rapidly evaporated into thin air. We were involved in lessons of all sizes and abilities and also helped the centre organise parties with different themes.
Initially, I thought that I was going to run out of fun things to do way before the six weeks have ended but I was proved very wrong!

This was definitely a worthwhile experience to have and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has an interest in exploring a country with so much culture and good food.

What would you improve about this program?
I didn't realise that I wouldn't actually be a teacher and more of a teaching assistant prior to coming on the trip but it was nonetheless still very enriching.
Caitriona
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Beijing Wangfu

Overall, this has been one of the best experiences of my life. I taught and lived in Beijing for around six weeks. While I was there I saw many historical sites and I met loads of new people, many of whom were Chinese natives. I met people that quickly became very close friends and I feel like I learned a lot about life and people in general. Beside our school there was a small neighbourhood, so I feel like I got to see what the daily lifestyle was for the average Chinese person. I was even lucky enough to have had the opportunity to travel around a bit in China (not to mention our Gotoco trip to Yangshuo at the end)! I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone out there who has an interest in China or in experiencing something new!

Aadya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good

It was a great experience. I learnt a lot and the kids were adorable. I have had so much fun by going to China. Eric our manager was the best.

I enjoyed it. It was good. I am glad I went. I got to experience a completely different culture. I also traveled afterwards. I met lots of new people who were very interesting. Teaching was great fun. The students were very sweet and I learnt a lot of new skills. For example, I had to project my voice, organise a variety of lessons and lead sessions.

I also enjoyed learning about Chinese culture and going around the region. China is a beautiful country, it is very safe for students. Travelling was amazing. Unforgettable experience. I would definitely do it again. It was great. I had a lovely time.

What would you improve about this program?
They are not well organised. They replied slowly and did not provide information quickly.
Anne
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Memorable summer!

This summer was quite amazing and unforgettable! Originally, I was worried how I was able to cope since I knew no one in Shanghai, and it was my first time being alone in a huge city. However, after I arrived, I made so many friends from around the world, that I didn't want to leave near the end of the program!
We only had to work approximately 5 hours a day. Since we aren't actually "teachers", we were limited to what we could teach. Nonetheless, it was a great experience to be able to chat and interact with the students. We had 2 days off each week to explore Shanghai and its surrounding cities, which was fantastic, because we were able to immerse ourselves in the culture, and experience Shanghai in its entirety. This trip has definitely given me a new perspective in travelling! I would love to come back to Shanghai again!

What would you improve about this program?
I would really increase the amount of communication during applications, and before the program starts. It was extremely stressful to apply for visas and book flights with merely a week in advance. It is also quite pricey for the flight tickets as well since it was so late.
sara
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My summer camp in China

I spent four weeks in a summer camp in China and it was the best time of my life. I met so many new friends among the Chinese activity leaders and thank to them I improved my Chinese level; the kids were all keen on learning and asking questions, even though their level of English was relatively poor, which made our conversations more challenging but more satisfying in the end as well. Gotoco advertises free Mandarin courses and days off to explore the surrounding but this is hardly never the case, as very few camps offer Chinese classes and my day off was split into an afternoon and a morning off following the kids schedule, and even during my time off I couldn't really go anywhere as my camp was situated in the middle of nowhere. Thus, from that point of view, my cultural exchange experience relied more on what I learned from the kids and the other Chinese leaders, rather than on actuall trips to other cities outside my camp, but it was worth anyway.

What was your funniest moment?
The funniest moment of all happened during the bonfire night when all the activity leaders and I had to dress up in Hawaiian skirts and wear flowers necklaces while dancing and singing around the bonfire. We even prepared a dance for the talent show and it was so much fun watching everybody trying their best even though you could tell who was able to sing and dance and who was not.
Rebecca
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer camp

Had an amazing time and leant so much about the culture in China and about teaching. However be sure to check with your camp whether you will be actually teaching/ doing english lessons or doing more outdoor activities to avoid being disappointed. Put effort in with the other people there as you will become great friends and be sure to interact with the Chinese people too! Also be sure to check how much free time you have and where the exact location is compared to towns. It’s so much more exciting to spend your summer doing something which helps people and building your CV and character than just working at home. You will never forget this experience and definitely go to Yangshuo after as there is so many cool people and once in a lifetime activities there!

What would you improve about this program?
Have better communication prior to the camps, and have more information before.
Lucy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gotoco

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a variety of different people including Gotoco students, the monitors and of the course the children. I enjoyed engaging and interacting with them and gaining an understanding of different cultures.

It was rewarding seeing the children’s English progress throughout the camp.

Gotoco were very supportive and helpful, answering any queries I had.

The post camp week in Yangshou is amazing, offering a variety of different activities including Kayaking, bamboo rafting, rock climbing, cycling etc. This week is a great way to meet others who have been on other camps and compare experiences.

The one thing that I believe that needs improving is going through the visa process. Gaining more help and guidance here would be very beneficial as it took multiple attempts before securing mine.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
To check out exactly where the camp is as some are so remote you don’t get to leave and travel.

I would also recommend having additional travel plans for after the camp to ensure you get the full chinese experience.
Zuzanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great time, great people!

I had an amazing time at the Baobei nature camp in China! Chinese staff as well as the kids were absolutely adorable and amazing. Living close to Hangzhou, both me and other participants had a good amount of opportunities to explore the city and get to know a bit of a local life. Despite the beauty of both the city and the countryside, the best part of my stay in China was amazing, welcoming people that I met everywhere I went- I would never forget hiking up the mountain and being invited for tea and dinner by Taoist monks at the very top!
The company was very helpful and reliable. All of my questions were always answered as soon as possible by my assigned contact, on all stages of my trip as well as at the beginning with registration process.
Thank you Gotoco! 😊

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
The best part of my stay in China was definitely the people I met. So my advice is: never be scared of language barrier and just keep trying to communicate as much as you can with everyone you meet, you will learn so much even if you can't speak the same language!
Angelica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GOTOCO Hangzhou

I enjoyed working with the kids and relaxing at the end of the camps. Yangshuo was amazing and there was plenty to do when I got there. I wish I could have stayed longer. It is a good program and the place I stayed in was great. The staff was amazing as well and the kids were generally well behaved and ready to learn. This program forced me to manage my time wisely. I was also in charge of 45 kids at one time in a tiny classroom. I was challenged and learned how to handle that on my own.
The organization at times were somewhat lacking but the staff on hand was well equipped and could handle any situation in a timely manner. There were times that I missed the US, but the people I worked with were very encouraging. Some even felt the same way about their own homes, so we were able to help each other out.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate a fish eye. I am used to eating fish, but I have never eaten the eye before.