XploreAsia

XploreAsia Reviews

Daniel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience living and teaching in Myanmar.

I started my life here in Myanmar back in 2020. I joined the Tesol course at NELC-Xplore and met some wonderful people. The course was extremely beneficial and I was placed in a great school. Life changed a bit after Covid-19 and the political situation but staying here through all of it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have a secure job, a great apartment and I have met some amazing people that I consider as my family. I highly recommend choosing Myanmar. It's a very special country!

Pros
  • The people are extremely nice and helpful. Professional teachers and instructors.
  • The food options are amazing, showcasing various Asian food options.
  • The history in Myanmar is amazing. Some Pagoda's are over 2000 years old!
What other participants should know
  • Language barriers occur in the beginning.
  • Adjusting to a new currency.
  • Extremely hot and humid weather. Time to wear shorts and Sandals!
Daniel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent service

My experience in Myanmar through this program has been life-changing. What I like the most is how I became fully immersed in the local culture. I've been in Yangon for nearly 7 years now, even though I originally planned to stay for only 9 months. I fell in love with the place. The warm welcome from Cplore and the local community, delicious food, and lively traditional festivals made me feel like a part of this beautiful culture.

The Xplore program staff and the welcoming locals played a huge role in making me feel at home and helping me get on my feet. Their support and friendliness were instrumental in my journey. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone seeking a special ESL teaching experience combined with an incredible cultural adventure.

Pros
  • Culture
  • Scenery
  • Affordability
What other participants should know
  • Infrastructure
  • Political instability
  • Language barrier
Thomas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An excellent program that truly prepared me for teaching in Vietnam

After getting my TEFL certificate, I didn't feel prepared to actually teach anywhere. My bad for choosing an online course, I guess, but still- at best, I could recite some theory. I certainly wasn't ready to upend my entire life by moving to Vietnam. Thankfully, with its mixture of practical learning and enjoyable activities with a group of similar expats, along with excellent support from program staff, XploreAsia's placement program made me truly feel ready to begin my new life.
Prior to leaving, we had ample explanation and resources on what we would need for moving to and working in Vietnam, helping us navigate through all the legal requirements. Once there, we spent a week learning about Vietnam in classes, getting basic language instructions, and going on actual trips- the War Remnants Museum and Buddhist temple were particular favorites of mine. Most significant, however, was the teaching practicum- an event where we got to plan a lesson and work in an English center, getting a feel for what to expect that the online course itself only brushed upon. Furthermore, the staff always responded to us on the questions we had, no matter how trivial- why yes, it IS safe to brush your teeth using the tap water here. Thanks!
Admittedly, there were some issues- I would have liked a more detailed explanation on finding long-term accommodation once here (it was glossed over in the brochures), although we did receive helpful information once we arrived. Thankfully, it's not hard to find a good apartment quickly here. Additionally, the guest house at which we were placed wasn't perfect; the owners of that place spoke no English. These are VERY minor issues given what the program offered, however.
XploreAsia helped me begin my TEFL journey far more successfully than I ever could have done alone. I'm happy to recommend them to anyone looking to start.

Pros
  • An itinerary that mixed practical learning with fun adventures
  • Ample support from program staff
  • A community of new expats to meet and bond with
What other participants should know
  • The guide to finding accommodation could have been a little better
Luis
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Explore Asia Vietnam

Overall the experience with explore Asia has been positive. I felt well supported during the build up to leaving. The team were quick to answer any concerns and I felt reassured they knew how to deliver a good experience for teachers. Upon arrival they have been nothing short of excellent. The in country team consisting of Lan and Jordan were great, answered every kind of question I could think of and gave a great week full of exciting tours and top tips. Cassidy was great, she has helped me every step of the way and helps make the scary complicated stuff sound normal and easy to understand so every credit to them. I feel happy to have picked explore Asia to partner with. Particular from a UK perspective it can be very daunting and the visa etc are often confusing. Explore Asia did all the hard stuff so my life was easier and has made such a difference. I had a bit of nervous anxiety before arrival but from day 1 it went away and I have had nothing but good experience since then.

Pros
  • Provide plenty of support
  • orientation week is really insightful and makes you feel good about teaching
  • Covers every basis and ensures you are as prepared as possible
What other participants should know
  • If signing up to the program through a 3rd party the cost is often a lot higher. So I would suggest going directly with explore Asia.
  • You need to prepare all the visa documents yourself which is confusing and can be a bit of a minefield.
Tsepiso
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

XploreAsia Experience

My Experience in Vietnam started off great when I got an offer to teach. Along the way, there were unexpected shortcomings. However, Xploreasia handled my situation very well, Supported me through placement with another school, they helped me with Interview preparations, they kept checking on me with updates, they allowed me to express my fears ,frustrations, and during that time; they ALWAYS came up with SOLUTIONS. I would recommend them because they take care of you. I never felt alone during the process. Cassidy, Riyaad, and Lan Anh really are Awesome.

Pros
  • Supportive
  • Consistent
  • Solution-based
Neil
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

XploreAsia Vietnam

I have had so much fun completing my in person Tesol certificate. I don't think I would have felt prepared enough for teaching if I had done it online however through doing it in person with in person experience teaching in Vietnamese schools and trailing our lesson plans on each other in class I believe that I entered the crazy world of teaching in Vietnam with a lot of confidence, skills and importantly friends! I am currently teaching in Hanoi in language centres and 6 people from the Tesol course in Ho Chi Minh have got jobs up here. This is hugely helpful as it makes the move to a new city far easier with an already formed social group. Saying that the Vietnamese people in the workplace and beyond have been amazing and it has not been difficult to settle in and find a sense of community. I would absolutely recommend XploreAsia for a fun, quality, professional course with plenty of support during the course and onwards into employment!

Pros
  • Super friendly environment and staff
  • Very good support
  • Professional throughout
What other participants should know
  • You are paying for quality so it may be an initial financial hit for some however this money is made back by during work
Sinead
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ExploreAsia

ExploreAsia have been very helpful in supporting me while working in Vietnam. Not only did they provide amazing support during the orientation week, while organising amazing trips and chances to meet other teacher, they are also still supporting me while working in Vietnam. I know that I can pick up the phone to contact them about any concern or query and they are always ready and willing to help. They have been a vital part of my transition to teaching in Asia. I would highly recommend XploreAsia

Pros
  • 24/7 Support
  • Chance to meet other teachers
  • XploreAsia team have all been in our shoes already
Auna
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great program

It can be terrifying moving to another country very far from from home. From language barriers, new food, new climate and new culture it can be very overwhelming. However, this is my second time going through XploreAsia with two countries the team always made sure to support me while checking in amd making sure I was settling in. The program activities are always fun and exciting. In addition XploreAsia always has a big welcome dinner so that everyone can sit together, relax almost like one big family.

Pros
  • Rich History of new places
  • Support staff
  • New friends
What other participants should know
  • Home sickness
Quresh
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Quresh Jawadwala

It has been a great experience working in Vietnam and Xplore Asia has been great.
I received constant updates from Riyaad about my placement and also visa status and all the procedures too. After arriving in Vietnam, I was given all the help and assistance.
I will definitely recommend Xplore Asia to potential teachers who would seek an adventure to live and work in a foreign country and embrace a new culture.
It has been a great experience for me so far and I am grateful to Xplore Asia helping me fulfill my dream job.

Pros
  • Great staff support & guidance & introduction of the culture
  • Accommodation was very convenient.
  • Experience of teaching in a school
What other participants should know
  • The program could have been condensed into 2-3 days max instead of 5 days.
  • Day trip to the chef Tang. Probably a great experience of learning new things but the chef's attitude was erratic.
Abby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

XploreAsia - Abby McGinn

It was a good way to meet Japanese people and work with students and their families. Picked up some Japanese phrases so thatโ€™s cool. Slowing learning the language.
Travelled to some amazing places and got to know Japan pretty well - always lots to see and do, especially at different times of the year.
Made lots of friends, through the course and through work. The company I came over on were extremely helpful helping me with my money issues, that was so kind and very much appreciated. Great people

Pros
  • Met some amazing people
  • Learnt about the culture
  • Great working with families
What other participants should know
  • Not challenging
  • Sometimes very boring - can get dull
  • Work hours