Program Reviews

This programme offers the chance to step out of your comfort zone, work on self-development, learn new things and meet new people all whilst experiencing a different culture. It also provides all of this with a background support network in the form of locally based coordinators that allows you to be independent and figure things out on your own but are there to offer peace of mind.
The opportunity to live and work in a community as well offers a much better experience than just travelling through, you get to experience the culture and local customs so much better and make local friends. I stayed with a host family and it was such a lovely experience.
Teaching in the local schools could be challenging and was definitely difficult at first but after a while you get used to it and I ended up really enjoying it and having fun. The programme also offers the chance to work towards a TEFL qualification alongside.

I applied to do a programme with Gotoco in February 2024 and by June I travelled out to Italy for three weeks, during which I had the most incredible time. The people I met were so friendly and kind and I intend to remain friends with some of them; the places I got to see will forever remain in my memory; and above all the chance to experience the culture during that time are all parts of what made it such a valuable experience. A short programme like mine is ideal for anyone trying this for the first time, it allowed me to get a feel for the experience without being thrown in the deep end. Following this, if I have the time, I plan to do a longer programme with Gotoco next summer. I could not recommend it enough.

I had no issues with the accommodation or food during my stay, everything is handled with care by Gotoco and the partner organisations. They were also very helpful when responding to queries during the application.

Gotoco is a great company that provides a great experience for many reasons. The main one for me is that I wouldn't of been able to travel to Thailand without Gotoco. I would recommend this to anyone able to do it. I had many experiences that I will hold onto forever. Mainly my interactions with people I was teaching with and also great experiences with experiencing Thai traditions. Was able to visit temples and holy grounds. Experienced Thai classic traditions and other things like that. I would definitely recommend.

I really enjoyed my time in Italy and it was such a beautiful but tiring experience. It really humbled me as someone with a lot of teaching experience because it forced me to change my style to work with younger kids. I loved my class and the companies Gotoco work with really care about all the workers, teachers and students. Having had lots of online TEFL preparation before we went was really useful and I would like to thank everyone involved for such an amazing experience. Having a program coordinator was super helpful as she was only a call away if ever I had questions or doubts.

10/10 experience. Best decision i’ve ever made was to do this programme.
Made some amazing friends and learnt a lot about myself and thailand.
It's helped me see a completely new path that I had not ever considered to go down before. I would love to do the fellowship programme this year. Our weekend trips were definitely a highlight they helped when things got a bit much. Teaching the kids & experiencing a whole new culture.
Gaining new skills as a teacher and trying a lot of new things. It's worth it. Best experience ever. I was very nervous at first but am so glad i did it. I think everyone should have the opportunity to do this it's great.

My host family were so wonderful, their food, lifestyle and culture was such a gift to be shared with me - I could not be more grateful to them. Also my camp was so brilliant, I learnt so much about myself through teaching and from the children! The kids were so funny and individual and I was so proud of all the progress they made over our time together.

It definitely improved my confidence so much and just making me more patient and positive too! believe it has made me a much better and effective teacher as I brought more positivity and exciting energy to my classroom and it was reflected in my students. It also really pushed me out of my comfort zone with my host family and I'm so glad it did.

This was helped by our amazing training in San Remo where I learnt everything I needed and made friends genuinely for life.

The progress itself was well explained, easy to follow and felt like it was well-informed. I felt safe and trusted the company and knew I could get in touch with Gotoco at any point should I have needed to. Costs were great, a bargain really for how wonderful the experience was!

The end of program group trip to Turin was so fun! We all got to hang out again and celebrate finishing the program - we got our hostel & meal together paid for too over the weekend and just was such a brilliant note to end on.

I would recommend Gotoco’s Spain programme! I spent 3 weeks in a small Spanish town; volunteering at a sports camp for children. The camp was centred around improving the students English skills. I was keen to try something new after completing my university studies. The programme was a great way to meet new people from around the UK and Spain whilst also exploring a part of Spain I was previously unfamiliar with. I made so many memories that I will cherish forever and I am glad I participated in the programme.

Having never been to Italy before , I found the program to be an incredible experience. From learning about cultures to gaining valuable skills, everything was amazing. Having the opportunity to go Venice with a host family was amazing where I had my first Italian pizza experience. This experience was made smooth and memorable by the coordinators' support and communication. It was great to see them prepared and thorough with everything, from detailed travel plans to itineraries! I will forever be grateful of this opportunity, thank you! I had the best 3 weeks in Italy.

I had the most amazing experience going the Vietnam Gotoco programme! We were so well looked after by the company. The coordinators were all so professional and kind. Working in the schools was an amazing experience and the kids were so sweet! I feel like I have a much greater understanding of Vietnamese history and culture. I have made some friends for life here!

Thoroughly recommend this experience for people wanting to gain qualifications whilst having an adventure you will never forget! I had so much fun!

Participating in the Gotoco Thailand teaching program was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the seamless organization and the warmth of the local communities. The program's balance of teaching and cultural activities allowed me to truly engage with Thai culture and make a real impact in the classroom. The Gotoco team provided exceptional support, making sure every aspect of the experience was smooth and enjoyable. The connections I made with students and fellow volunteers were incredibly rewarding. If you're seeking a transformative adventure that combines meaningful work with cultural exploration, the Gotoco Thailand program is an outstanding choice.