I would definitely recommend going through CIEE if you are interested in teaching abroad. The program includes so many awesome benefits that make it so worth it. The staff is amazing and are so willing to help every step of the application and selection process and are always available throughout the year for any questions. I’ve had so many amazing adventures so far and I would recommend the program to everyone who is interested. I went into the program with little teaching experience and CIEE definitely placed me at an amazing school where I’ve learned so much already. The other teachers are amazing and I’m really glad CIEE does a good job of placing you with other participants. I’ve been able to travel all around Thailand and see so many places I never thought i’d be able to see. The places i’ve been, things i’ve experienced, and amazing friends i’ve met have made it so worth it to be gone from home for so long.

This experience has already become everything I could have dreamed of and more. Between the dynamic teaching experiences, human connection, unforgettable smiles, and beautiful year of living more with less- it has already surpassed all expectation I could have had for experience and adventure. I am a certified ESE, Elementary, ESOL teacher in the United States and graduated with my undergrad this past year. I have always dreamt of having the opportunity to live and teach abroad and this program was the answer to all I could have wanted. The program provides the best support from even before the day you arrive, and the staff treats you like one big family. The location of my placement has been perfect as well, since I am in the mountain area of the northeast region and an avid lover of the outdoors. Every day here I am reminded of another reason why I am glad I made this decision and traveled over 9,000 miles to do something I thought I could originally only dream of. Thankful for this experience and the continued adventures to come! Thank you. :-)

Teaching abroad will always be an experience I will look back on and cherish! I met amazing people and was able to grow as an individual. It’s terrifying but take that jump and you won’t regret it. I saw the most beautiful places and experienced some of the many wonderful things the Thai culture has to offer. The support I was shown and the connections I made through this program made my time abroad unforgettable! I was able to travel with fellow teachers and share these new experiences will creating new lifelong friends. I didn’t have to worry about finding a school or housing on my own. They made the process less stressful and are there for support if anything doesn’t go as planned. And it won’t but learn from that and embrace the culture.

Going through CIEE you do not get to decide where you are placed (although you do state where you would like to be placed). I was placed (with my best friend) in Khon Kaen , Thailand which is in the Issan region near Laos. I had never heard of this part of Thailand (it’s northern but nope not near chiang mai) and was definitely worried about what the year would hold. While where I live is untouched by tourism the people are WONDERFUL. I am definitely experiencing the real deal thailand. My job is so thankful for us to be there teaching English and make us feel so special and at home everyday. The salary allows me to travel every other weekend and I have been able to see A LOT of Thailand. CIEE does a great job of preparing you before your departure and I am forever grateful I went through them especially because of the week long orientation in Bangkok. It gave me time to make friends who would be teaching around Thailand, adjust to Thailand, and get prepared for the year of teaching ahead. While I am not living the beach, elephant life, I imagined I would be I am so thankful for where I am and the people I have met. I have been challenged and grown so much in my time in country and I have CIEE to thank.

Deciding to teach in Thailand through CIEE is by far the best decision I have made. CIEE’s staff ensures you feel comfortable and capable before, during, and and after your orientation - which makes taking a leap like this much less intimidating. The course prior to departure is super helpful. The orientation provided so much useful information and teaching tips as well as fun cultural activities. Orientation was a great time to make new friends and prepare for this exciting journey. I am so happy with my school, housing, and community. I have made great friends and countless memories already. Thailand is such a special place. I am so happy that I chose to live and work in a new country through CIEE. Everyday brings a new adventure! I highly reccomend this program!

Teaching in Thailand has been the best experience especially going through CIEE! I was definitely nervous about moving to another country and starting a teaching job at a new school but CIEE made it as nerve free as they possibly could! Prior to departure they help you get comfortable with the program by providing you with live webinars, TEFL courses if needed, and personal support from your program coordinator! They place you at your school in Thailand and provide you with accommodations for the entire length of your stay! They even take care of the visa process for you, making the price of the program worth it, for all that is included! When you arrive in Thailand you get a week long orientation to help you feel even more prepared for your journey. No teaching experience? No worries, CIEE provides teaching courses throughout orientation as well as Thai language and culture crash courses! The best part about orientation? You get to meet so many people that are about to embark on the same journey as you. I met some lifelong friends and they’ve definitely made good travel buddies thus far too! Overall CIEE exceeded my expectations and made the adjustment to teaching in Thailand that much easier! Still not sure if it’s for you? Well that’s what a lot of us thought prior to coming here but I promise it’s a life changing experience you don’t want to miss!

Deciding to teach abroad has challenged me and made me grow into a better teacher and person. I came into this job expecting to teach English but I have found that this job is more about learning than teaching. I have learned that the Thai people are some of the most caring and loving people. I have learned that the Thai language is difficult to learn but gets better with practice. I have learned that lesson plans might not always work out the way you hope, but mai pen rai, it'll work out in the end. I have learned that Thailand has three seasons: Hot, Hotter and Hottest. I have learned that Pad Thai is always delicious and never gets old. I have learned that what we do as teachers truly makes an impact on our students' lives. I have learned that there is so much more to see and experience in the world, so take this opportunity to experience it for yourself- teach in Thailand!

Thanks to CIEE, I arrived in Thailand safely and with ease. Before leaving, they provided everything from the necessary information for obtaining the documents you need to informative pre-departure videos and links. Any question or concern I had was quickly answered. Both CIEE and OEG are easy to contact.

Once arriving in Thailand, both CIEE and OEG create a wonderful experience through their one week orientation, giving you the tools and resources to guide you into teaching and living in abroad. The dedication does not stop once you are at your school. I was easily able to contact them with an issue and they had even followed up making sure everything was okay!

I would absolutely highly recommend them as they made what seems like a different process incredibly smooth. You can honestly tell they care!