Program Reviews

After graduating from Teachers College in Canada, I decided that I wanted to go overseas and expose myself to an entirely new way of life. I had previously taught and lived in other countries, but nothing as unique and remote as the Marshall Islands. I wanted to see how far my teaching skills would go, and how much I could learn in return. So in 2014 I set off with my boyfriend at the time to Majuro where I had a month of orientation with the other volunteers. It was an amazing experience and a good transition period for the volunteers to build a support system and a knowledge base of the cultural differences and way of life yet to come. We had an amazing Field Director Todd Mulroy and other World Teach Staff that provided so much support and great communication. After orientation we were all sent to the outer islands on either a small plane or a supply ship. I was sent to Namdrik Atoll which was no bigger than 2 square miles. We were surrounded by ocean on all sides and the islanders were so welcoming. Life there was extremely tough and isolated with few teaching resources but extremely rewarding. Namdrik had no internet or phones and the only communication was a radio to the main island. Mail was received sparsely by the small plane that landed occasionally. We ate mostly fish and coconuts and learned to live an ultra slow relaxed lifestyle where time had no relevance and priorities included sweeping up leaves or making copra. I could talk forever about this experience but given limited space I will just say that I highly recommend this program if you want to experience extreme conditions of cultural diversity and if you can handle limited communication with the rest of the world. The culture is entirely different from a North American one, but I promise it will change your life and the way you view poverty and education forever. - Rebekah Osio Vanden

I chose this program because I had never heard of Micronesia before. An island in the middle of nowhere sounded beautiful. It was the perfect way to disconnect myself from the world. The nature was amazing. A lot of great sights from sunsets on the coast to waterfalls in the jungle. One of the most unique things is that there are not many dangerous animals so you can hike with relative confidence that you won't encounter anything dangerous.
Teaching was a challenge. There is not a lot of materials available so you have to get creative doing experiments and getting the kids excited about learning things. The lack of interest of many parents with their children education is a big issue. Some kinds will rely on you not only for their academic development but for emotional issues.
Sexism is a huge issue in the islands. As a foreigner you have a special status, so you are more protected. It can be hard to not be able to get involved when you see an unfair treatment of a woman though.
This program was amazing. It was a huge challenge and It made me realize I can tackle most problems that come my way. I met some amazing people that I am still in contact with and that have taught me a lot of great things. It is weird that I had to go to a place most people have never heard of to find people with the best life stories I have ever heard. It was thanks to the great expat community and the isolation from modern societies that made this experience so rewarding and magical. Definitively recommended.

My year teaching English in Ecuador with WorldTeach changed everything for me. My parents say they think I learned more in that year than I did in my 4 years of college. I came into my own that year - I learned how to trust myself, how to navigate delicate cross-cultural interactions and how to face my fears. On top of everything else, the experience teaching English was a stepping stone towards my Masters degree in International Education which has led to 15 years of working in the higher education sphere.

I taught English in Ecuador 20 years ago. I am still in contact with a ton of my students from that year and still think of Ecuador as a second home. The WorldTeach structure and format made the experience accessible and achievable.

The placements and training were wonderful but the materials provided were not great. We could have benefited more support in the field. The overall program cost was very expensive and volunteers could have benefited from getting more of a stipend. Also volunteers needed more support from field staff. I would recommend providing more materials and more videos, songs and books for volunteers. I think the families who hosted the volunteers were wonderful and very accepting. I hope that WorldTeach brings the Costa Rica program back because it’s an asset to the communities it serves.

When I decided to spend a year teaching abroad I put a lot of thought into which program I wanted to go through. I did a lot of research, took my time and eventually decided on WorldTeach. I was looking for a program large enough and experienced enough to ensure they likely had proper procedures and adequate contacts established but also one that was would allow me to to have fun and be independent without a ton of bureaucracy involved. WorldTeach was the perfect fit for me. I will not lie, it wasn't always easy. There are definitely certain conveniences you miss, expectations that aren't met and situations in which you are disappointed but overall, my experience was an amazing one.

I always felt safe and supported on the island of Kosrae while also having enough independence to pursue my own interests and create my own "family" in my home away from home. The headquarter staff were never more than an email away and always responded in a timely manner. Our field director was kind, supportive and knowledgeable of the local culture. I made connections on the island that will certainly last a lifetime and created memories I will never forget.

Spending time there through WorldTeach allowed me an opportunity to come to truly appreciate hard work, progress and accomplishment in ways I'd never known. The most satisfying part of the entire experience is knowing that I was able to help my students reach their goals of getting to college. Not simply because they will obtain a degree but because I am certain that those were the young men and women who would return to their island with the knowledge and ability to create sustainable, lasting, necessary change in pivotal industries including health care, education and government. That type of positive influence cannot be found in just any job or volunteer experience and, for me, it was made possible for me because of WorldTeach.

World Teach had a built in community feel from the beginning. The orientations allowed group members to get to know each other and the country through excursions to Warsaw, Krakow, Zakopane, Gdansk, and Sopot. I always felt safe and thanks to some amazing host families who were connected to the school in their capacity as teachers and not merely looking to make additional money- I felt very welcomed and not a source of extra income. I did a different program later and the latter is how I felt so I know the difference.
My tip when choosing a program is to find one with worthwhile work but also those built in groups who are available to travel with you and to support you.

WorldTeach in Thailand was a great stepping stone to learn the ropes of teaching overseas. Training was only 3 weeks so if you want to learn the language you'll need private lessons when you get to your site. You're very independent once out in the field. You get out of it what you put into it. I enjoyed weekend trips around Thailand. One of my favorite trips was to Ko Samui where I stayed on the beach. I also loved the street vendor food. I liked the freedom to design my curriculum.

This program is an amazing fit for anyone looking to spend some time away from home in a rich cultural experience in South America. Ecuador is an incredible country where I have now spent a year and a half teaching, learning Spanish, loving the cuisine, exploring the country, and making lasting connections with friends and the community. I came to Ecuador planning on staying for only a year and ended up enjoying it so much that I decided to extend my stay. I am currently applying to medical school and am thus definitely leaving in August, something that will no doubt be very bittersweet. However I will be leaving with the knowledge that I have a second home; a place that has taught me so many invaluable lessons that I plan to use in my future career. I highly recommend this program!!

My WorldTeach experience was amazing! 16 years later, I am still in regular contact with the community where I served. The program was structured and supportive. While the focus was education and I ultimately decided to pursue a different career, I still rely on the experiences and things I learned during my year with WorldTeach in my professional and personal life. I would strongly recommend the program.

World Teach gave me the opportunity to learn Spanish, make lifelong friends and give back to an amazing community. I am in regular contact with my village and still stay in touch with fellow volunteers. Life changing experience for sure! It was also a beautiful country to explore. Since teaching there I have visited on a regular basis. There is a sense of calm and simplicity in the village that I carried with me after leaving Costa Rica.