XploreAsia

XploreAsia Reviews

Derian
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Xplore Asia Japan: Genuine Review

This experience has been one of the greatest decisions of my life. I grew up in a poor area, a dangerous town riddled with problems. My family never had a lot of money, but I would eventually learn to live without it. Most people in my hometown never even make it to college, and there is a lack of ambition from most people. If there is any ambition, it derives from people just wanting money and not caring how they waste they lives. For me, this was unacceptable. I yearned for more than what money could buy: satisfaction. I never had money, so now I have reached a point where I don't need it to be happy. Although, I needed it to pay bills. I was stuck in a position I hated in America; therefore, I started to hate myself. Worst of all, I was making very good money. Was this the mediocrity I would be forced into, following in the footsteps of all those around me? NO! The XploreAsia program changed this. I will be honest; this program is very very expensive. It took everything from a savings account and a credit card to make it through my first few months in the program and in Japan. It was worth every penny. I was scared that I would spend this money and regret it, but as I learned in Japan, sometimes you have to say screw it and jump on the train(plane). I don't make a lot of money by any means at my new job, but it pays my bills. I found a new passion; something to look forward to waking up to everyday. Most people will look at you and say, "shouldn't you work somewhere to make more money?" Or "You could get a job back home and make twice as much!" DON'T LISTEN TO THEM. I gained happiness, satisfaction, and inspiration from the move to Japan. I will not be moving any time soon. You can't put a price on happiness, but if all it costs is the money I spent this summer, I'd tell everyone in the world to do it. XploreAsia was helpful, and one could say it saved my life. I think differently than most, but that's what makes me so happy. In short, you will not make a lot of money, and the transition will be very hard; but if you feel stuck, unmotivated, or desperate for change in your life take this step.

Pros
  • happiness
  • cost of living reduction
  • Inspiration
What other participants should know
  • Price
  • Japan is hard to transition to, maybe more information with regards to tax documents/government papers is needed
  • Nah that's really it
Cyrus
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tokyo Trip Xplore Asia

Had the pleasure of joining Xplore Asia's Tokyo tour meet up. Our tour guide / coordinater (Lay) was extremely professional and extremely polite. I had one of the most memorable times , not only seeing Tokyo for the first time , but meeting new people and exploring parts of Japan I've never seen. Xplore Asia, covered the hostel stay, Tokyo 24 hour metro ticket and one dinner. I had a really fun time

Pros
  • Saw Japan
  • Explored
  • Met new people
What other participants should know
  • Only positive things to say
Maria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Review

My experience was cool, new country and culture, great team and new knowledge. Great support from the company, team and organization.it is a new opportunity to expand yourself in a new environment and to share with others about your vision and your knowledgesIt was also a unique experience for me, as I had no idea how children learn a foreign language, and thanks to this program I now have an idea and experience in this. It's also a good experience to look at your adaptation and look for ideas to solve different situations.
Thank you☀️

Pros
  • You can develop yourself amf your skills in teaching
  • You can travel
  • You can meet awesome people
What other participants should know
  • You need to manage yourself
  • May be you will feel a homesick
  • Unfamiliar environment it is always challenging
Brendon James
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching ESL in Myanmar!

I have been working in Myanmar for 1 year now and I have to say that it has been one of the most thrilling experiences. I am currently in Yangon city and it has everything! From parks, temples and lake to night markets, clubs and shopping malls. It's lively and there are a variety of activities for everyone. The food is fantastic and the people of Myanmar are friendly and sociable. Teaching here has been amazing so far and I have learned a lot in a short time. I recommend Myanmar for anyone that is looking for an exciting experience!

Pros
  • transport is convenient
  • food is great
  • people are friendly
What other participants should know
  • hot weather
  • traffic
  • language barrier
R
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

XploreAsia

Great overall experience. I’ve heard of many companies offering similar onboarding services for Asian countries. XA in my opinion and comparison experience to one other service, stands out in that it is easy to feel that all the staff here want you to succeed. It’s a subtle difference in this world when any service provider is focused on numbers versus quality of experience. XA fits squarely in the latter.
500 word character demand, request, compulsion ……………………..………….yaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pros
  • Schedule changes
  • Dedicated staff
What other participants should know
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Schedule changes
Olivia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

XporeAsia - TESOL - Thailand

During my time in Hua Hin taking my TESOL course with XploreAsia, there was a lot to process and keep up with. I was learning new things, acclimating to a new climate, adjusting to a new culture and language, and all the little things that you don't realize you'll have to go through when arriving.

But here's what you should know if you are considering this program: they are serious about helping you bloom here and helping you become an amazing teacher. They care for you and offer you help for every step. And when you're in an emergency or just have a question, there are multiple people in the program who you can contact. They are always happy to help in any way they can so that you have a better experience. But, this program is going to stretch you and help you build new skill sets. You're going to have to do things you really don't want to do. You're going to be put in situations where you don't know where you're going or how to get there. You're going to have to confront your what-ifs and anxieties. You will face culture shock and homesickness.

You're also going to discover what an amazing person you are and how much you can grow. You're going to try new things and find out things about yourself you'd never know. You'll become friends with people who are completely different from you, and you'll find yourself closer to them you'd ever guess. You're gonna go to them when all you want to do is go home, and they'll commiserate, buy you food and then dunk you in the ocean. You'll laugh and tell yourself you can do this. And when you meet your students you'll remember why you decided to go on this crazy adventure. You're gonna think there's no way you can do something, and then do it and find you're really good at it. Or maybe really bad, but you liked it so much you want to do it again and again until you're better at it. You'll also find doing something by yourself isn't so bad, and reaching out for help isn't as scary as you thought. You'll find trying to learn the language is frustrating, even if you've already learned one or two - and then you'll have a Thai try to teach you and it ends with both of you laughing at your horrible pronunciation. And then you'll try again.

This program is equipping you to learn how to fall. Which sounds weird. But here's the thing. You're going to fall. It's inevitable. Gravity and new experiences are unforgiving like that. So, yes. You will probably hit the ground. Maybe eat some dirt on the way down and have some scraped knees and palms. But with this program, you'll know how to fall so it's not so bad, not quite as scary, and you know exactly how you're going to get back up. And you'll know how to do it regardless how many or how few times it happens. If you don't know how to fall and you don't know how to rise, trying something new becomes a lot harder.

It's going to be uncomfortable. It's also going to be a hundred percent worth it.

So if you are considering this program, give it a go. You might just discover how much of a brave and amazing person you really are.

Pros
  • They're encouraging at every step.
  • They try to help you in any way they can so you can succeed.
  • It's a great way to push your limits if you need a little help and courage to do it.
What other participants should know
  • Due to time difference, sometimes you are on your own prior to the start of the course to figuring things out. I had a 12 hr time difference when preparing to leave my home country, and that sometimes caused some problems for me.
  • You have to deal with government stuff and paperwork. It's going to be a pain. It will always be a hassle. There's also no way around it and they help you with every step.
  • Sometimes timelines are cramped. It's a lot of rush-rush-wait prior to starting. So it's okay during the wait times and then you have something you need to get done ASAP. That can be stressful.
Aileen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in Myanmar

I taught in Myanmar through this programme for two years and now work remotely teaching students from Myanmar. I absolutely loved my experience in Myanmar.
I was nervous going into it as I have a few dietary requirements but I was supported by the local staff to find food I could eat and to learn phrases in Burmese that would help me when ordering.
When I arrived in country I was collected from the airport and taken to my accommodation which was great because it meant that I didn't have to find my own way after a long flight.
My accommodation was provided by the school in my first year and then I chose to move to a new apartment later. I had my own room a shared kitchen and shared bathroom.
Everything had been thought of; from language lessons to cultural experiences and I felt welcomed in to the team immediately!

Pros
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Well Looked After
  • Great Training and Support
Roel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TESOL Training Course

I needed to experience something new and teaching english in Vietnam def ticked that box. Doing the training with XploreAsia also helped me ease in to living in Vietnam. They provided world class training but more importantly showed me how to navigate life here in Vietnam. I couldnt ask for better people to deal with. They supported me during my course and still provides ongoing support. I am have continued to live here in Vietnam and now a teacher teaching in district 2. Thank you XploreAsia for the fun experience!

Pros
  • Amazing course teachers with ongoing support
  • The experience is unique and fun!
  • You get to meet amazing people who are in the same journey as you
What other participants should know
  • It can get very hectic
Luyanda
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching ESL in Myanmar

My name is Luyanda and I am a South African ESL teacher living in Yangon, Myanmar. I moved to Myanmar in October 2022 and since then, it's been a rollercoaster of emotions. The excitement of leaving South Africa was mixed with fear and nervousness when I finally arrived in Myanmar. This was one of the biggest life-changing experiences I've gone through. When I first arrived, I was escorted to the apartment I still live in now. I'm fortunate enough to not pay rent or utilities. (The utilities gets taken off your salary if you choose to stay in accommodation provided by XploreAsia). People are very friendly and are always willing to help. I experienced huge culture shocks when I first arrived in Myanmar. It's way hotter and more humid than a December in Pietermaritzburg. I find myself sleeping with the airconditioning on and waking to terrible sinuses. If you're planning on moving to Myanmar, pack a lot of sunscreen. Another culture shock was not seeing Black people as regularly as I saw them in South Africa. It does get a bit lonely but I've made friends in Myanmar. Working in Myanmar has been great. Teaching is a new career for me. Before I left South Africa, I studied television screenwriting and directing. After years of trying to break into the entertainment industry, I decided that I needed a career change for a couple of years and I chose teaching. I've only taught for a year but it's one of the most fulfilling decisions I've made. It's lovely seeing students improve and get excited about the marks they got after each semester. I teach English to all ages. The best thing about teaching is being able to have friendly relationships with the students. Teaching does get challenging. Sometimes, a lesson doesn't go as planned and you'll have to think of activities on the spot. It happens to many teachers. My advice for moving to a new country is to accept as much help as possible. Ask questions about anything that you need to know. I think Myanmar is a lovely country and I hope more people are able to come.

Pros
  • People are really helpful
  • The malls are beautiful
  • Things are slightly cheaper in Myanmar than in South Africa
What other participants should know
  • Sometimes the language causes confusion.
  • It gets really hot and humid. The humidity stays long into the night.
  • You'll miss home a lot.
Tammy
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching ESL in Myanmar

I've been teaching in Yangon, Myanmar for just under five months now and I have found the experience to be a very interesting and unique one. I enjoy living in Yangon and I enjoy working at NELC-Xplore. The staff and management are very friendly and helpful. Myanmar is a beautiful country with very friendly people who are keen to help you get settled in and familiar with your new surroundings. I would definitely recommend coming to work and live here. The students are really dedicated to studying English.

Pros
  • Personal development and growth.
  • Enjoying a new culture.
  • Meeting new and friendly people.
What other participants should know
  • It takes a minute to adjust to the hustle and bustle of life in Yangon.