Program Reviews

Since first finding TFT on Instagram, they have been nothing short of amazing. TFT made it very clear that they are there to help with any issue, big or small and are always able to be contacted with any issue!

From starting the process and discussing possible placement locations to arriving at my school in Nakhon Nayok the team were always just a message away, continuing to check in on how things were going and how I was adapting to this entirely new lifestyle.

I would recommend The Fewer Things to any experienced teachers or those just looking to try something new and experience the ‘sabai sabai’ lifestyle here in Thailand! I couldn’t have wanted anything more from an agency and they made this process so smooth and were so reassuring that everything would eventually work out and if not then ‘Mai Bpen Rai’!

My experience with TFT so far has been incredibly positive. Some of my favourite moments include the TFT meet-up and night out, which instantly made me feel part of a community, and the amazing competition day at my school when more than 35 secondary schools came together for English contests. Seeing my students shine was a real highlight.

That’s not to say the first month has been without challenges. I had never taught before, and moving halfway across the world felt overwhelming at times. But the support I received—from TFT, my fellow teachers, and the local community—made the transition so much easier. Whenever I felt uncertain, someone was always there to guide me.

I’ve learned so much already: about teaching, about Thailand, and about myself. Each lesson helps me grow more confident, and I can feel myself becoming a better teacher day by day. This journey is shaping me in ways I didn’t expect, pushing me to be more adaptable, patient, and open-minded.

TFT has played a huge role in making this experience meaningful, and I’m genuinely grateful for their continued support. I’m excited to see how the rest of this adventure unfolds.

I have a degree in Linguistics, and so teaching language felt natural to me both in ability, as well as a natural pursuit of my field of study. Teaching in China has felt so much more rewarding than any job I've had before, and China truly does feel like "the place to be" right now. Chengdu is a brilliant city and the staff at my school are incredibly supportive, even if I feel overly left to my own devices at time.

The whole process from the UK to China was seamless, The Fewer Things (TFT) handle functionally the entire job search for you, and you just need to provide the requisite materials i.e. a China-specific CV (which they provide a template for), an introduction video (they also provide instruction for this), and a TEFL Cert (which comes as part of the agency cost. On my first day the staff from my school picked me up as soon as I arrived at the airport, and we went for lunch on the first day to (naturally, in Sichuan) hot pot. The staff at the school have been absolutely lovely ever since I arrived, making sure I'm engaged with staff activities and helping me with anything regarding the students, and you really get the impression you're part of a greater whole, especially with the language exchange of assisting the Chinese English teachers, and improving my Chinese with them as well.

Chengdu is a massive city, and so from a numbers perspective it can seem daunting and isolating at first, but a new support network is always readily available: WeChat (China's all-purpose WhatsApp) has great features for finding foreigner-specific groups and people to help you find whatever your niche is in Chengdu. You'll even be able to celebrate Western holidays here, with a huge contingent out for Halloween, and now in early December there're Christmas trees and festive decorations springing up in shopping malls and public places, even where I live, which is a more remote district.

This experience is really what you make of it, and I can't recommend it more.

TFT have been phenomenal throughout the process of moving to Thailand, showing us the basics, helping us move to a new city, and they have continued that support throughout my time here with messages and e-mails to check in!

Some of my favourite moments in Thailand are extremely varied! There was an amazing night shared on Khoasan Road with other teachers from The Fewer Things, on one of my first nights in Bangkok. There were cocktails, clubs, and an awful lot of (also awful) dancing! It was great to bond with the other teachers, and we all shared our worries and exciting thoughts on what was to come! TFT paid for our amazing hotel that night, and provided us with a free cocktail or mocktail on the rooftop bar, and also gave us a little teacher survival gift bag! My favourite item from it was a little plastic ball, which I use almost every lesson (much to the students' amused dismay)! Another of my favourite moments was on a weekend during school time, when myself and three other teachers met to hike to a waterfall in a National Park; it was stunning, and there was no one else around as we took a dip and demolished our pre-packed picnic! The scenery was unlike anything else, and it was so incredibly peaceful, especially after a week of energetic and excitable students.

The teaching itself is both fun and rewarding, and the children are so respectful, kind, and are always in awe of the foreign English teachers! Classes are energetic, the children are passionate and engaged, and no matter what ability students are, they always try their hardest. Provided with lesson structures for each week, lesson planning can be completed during the week in school hours, meaning none of your free time is dominated by work! It is the perfect job to go alongside weekend adventures and day trips when you have the odd day off for a national holiday, as well as longer trips outside of semester time!

A big culture shock was not having a kitchen in my accommodation, something which is normal for Thailand! Whilst I felt nervous about this, it also encouraged me to fully embrace the Thai lifestyle and understand the cultural importance around food and meal times together! Being placed in a rural area, there didn't seem to be many vegetarian food options, which I definitely worried about, but after simply asking for my food to be prepared without meat, almost every restaurant and food stall would happily do so (with a little laugh, of course!).

I had always wanted to travel-and Thailand was on my bucket list-when I decided to teach abroad, and I have not felt an ounce of regret since taking on this adventure. I have made friends for life, regaled my family with tales of adventure and exploring, and definitely made a few people jealous with some Instagram posts! The excitement of my students drive me to constantly improve my teaching to give them the best education possible, but even when things (inevitably!) go a bit wrong, there is no judgement from anyone, only support from TFT, and mistakes are always met by the children with good-natured laughter and a 'Teacher, you are so cute and funny'. They certainly know how to boost your confidence!

To anyone looking to travel but also needing to earn money, I would implore you to explore this as an option. It is the perfect balance of the two, and Thai people are some of the most kind, caring people in the world: I went to our local massage parlour and by the end of the hour, the owner (who we call Nana Rose) had invited us to her son's wedding (we had never met) and offered to find us authentic Thai clothes!

The Fewer Things are easy to contact and always help if you need it, and they check on you regularly, too, in case you feel a bit nervous about making contact first! The whole team are friendly and have always made me feel at ease, whether it's for recommendations for travel destinations or general advice about Thai life. So if you're reading this: it's your sign to sign up! I promise you won't regret it! :)

Moving from South Africa to Thailand was a massive leap, but looking back at my first month here in Chachoengsao, I can confidently say it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. My name is Ayoub, and working here as a PE teacher has completely expanded my world in ways I didn't expect.

The Experience & Favorite Moments
Being a PE teacher here is an absolute joy. Language barriers disappear when you are on the field; sport is a universal language. My favorite moments so far have been seeing the sheer energy and enthusiasm of my students. Whether we are playing football or just doing warm-ups, their smiles are contagious. Living in Chachoengsao offers this perfect blend of authentic Thai culture while still being accessible. Exploring the local markets, trying the incredible (and spicy!) street food, and visiting the stunning temples on weekends has been amazing.

Challenges & Growth
Of course, it hasn't been without challenges. The heat is on another level compared to back home, and the initial culture shock of navigating a new city where I didn't speak the language was daunting. However, these challenges have taught me resilience and patience. I’ve learned to communicate with gestures, smiles, and a few key Thai phrases. This journey is shaping me into a more adaptable and open-minded person. I feel like I see the world through a wider lens now.

Support from TFT
I couldn't have done this without the support from TFT. From the pre-departure guidance to the on-the-ground support when I arrived, they made a scary transition feel manageable. Knowing I had a team backing me up allowed me to focus on teaching and soaking in this incredible experience.

If you are thinking about taking the leap, do it. It’s not just about teaching; it’s about how much you learn about yourself and the world in the process.

I found The Fewer Things on Instagram, and so far they have been so lovely and helpful during this experience. They introduce you to the Thai school agency - Media kids which then continue to support you. You are able to say where you preferably would like to be put and can do it with a friend. You then start teaching at the school and are able to experience working in Thailand among locals and enjoy the amazing Thai culture. If you’re looking for a complete lifestyle change then this programme is perfect.

Moving to Thailand has been a significant transition, and my first month has been full of learning moments. Adjusting to a new culture, new routines, and a new school system has taught me a lot about flexibility and staying open to new ways of doing things.

My students have been kind, curious, and welcoming, which has made the classroom experience meaningful. Exploring everyday life here — from food to language to local habits — has also helped me understand more about the community I’m living in.

I’ve appreciated having points of contact available during the initial adjustment period, especially while navigating the early logistics of settling in. I’m still finding my footing, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow in a new environment and see teaching from a different perspective.

I have been teaching in Thailand for 4 weeks now and have had an incredible time so far. I have previously taught in Indonesia and was very excited for my new adventure in Thailand.

Going through the agency meant I already had access to a community of teachers here; like minded individuals who I’ve gotten to call friends.

I have been able to explore my local area and spend weekends in the city and on quaint islands. The school has also been fantastic. The English department at my school has around 20 foreign teachers so I have been able to build my community and make more friends super easily. The school and my colleagues have been supportive if I’ve ever needed anything. I have also participated in Muay Thai classes through orientation and plan to train regularly. There have been so many opportunities here already and I’m excited to enjoy the rest of this semester.

My experience teaching in Thailand after using the Fewer Things company has already been genuinely life-changing, and far more rewarding than I ever expected. From the moment I applied the company has been consistently supportive, communicative, and present. One thing that stood out immediately was how quickly they responded to every question I had (and there was many). No matter how small the query was, i always received a helpful, reassuring answer the same day. That level of communication made the hard transition to living and working abroad a lot easier.

When I arrived in Thailand and began my role as a teacher, A Fewer Things continued to check in, making sure i felt safe, confident and settled. In my second week i managed to break my laptop-a complete panic moment considering how much i needed it for work. But my fellow teachers and Thai teachers at school stepped in. They helped me get it repaired by telling me where was best to go. Their kindness made me feel immediately welcomed and supported. This workspace has a real sense of community.

I was really lucky with my placement in Chonburi. I live near the beach! The beaches at Bangsaen is beautiful, with lots of cafes and street markets. I have struggled with home sickness as I have left so much behind. But i feel safe and settled here which i'm sure will allow me to grow not only as a teacher but as a person! I'm learning to be more independent and organised and hopefully more capable than I ever realised I could be.

This experience has even propelled me to apply for a PGCE back home, something I might not have felt prepared for without the confidence and classroom experience I’m gaining here.

Another major transformation has been financial. Before coming here, travelling felt unrealistic for me—I’ve never been the best at budgeting or saving money, and long-term travel always seemed out of reach. But the structure, security, and affordability of living here have changed that completely. For the first time in my life, I’ve started to manage my money well enough not only to live comfortably but to save. I should be able to save enough money that I can go solo backpacking for a month or two, which has always been a dream of mine. The fact that this opportunity has made this dream reachable means more to me than I can express.

Overall, my experience so far with A Fewer Things has been positive, empowering, and deeply meaningful. I’ve felt supported at every stage, I’m growing professionally and personally. I’d recommend this programme to anyone considering teaching abroad—it has opened doors for me I didn’t think I’d ever be able to walk through.

My first month in Thailand has been full of positive experiences. Orientation was wonderful, and the school environment has been genuinely welcoming. I’ve loved moments like celebrating Loy Krathong and connecting with students. Early on it can feel difficult adjusting to the culture and routine, but I’m learning flexibility, patience, and confidence. It is the main reason I chose to move to another continent, to experience something as different to my reality and experience of life so far. This journey is already shaping me in meaningful ways, and the support from the agency has helped me feel grounded and reassured, If I have any issues with the school, Lesson prep, Area etc The fewer things have been helpful in pointing me in the right direction.