Teaching internship & TEFL Certification (Thailand, Vietnam, Europe, China, India)

I have spent two great months in bali with my fellow gotocoers, I was just as confused as some of you reading this, this gonna be a scam no? From the rather simple interview process till we met Dehmi, our pick up guy,a Indonesian man offered us cigarette in Bali airport as greeting, “wow, this is really happening”

There are three parts of this greatest summer of my life:
- teaching! As an education major, teaching has always been my passion, it was a great opportunity for me to acc use theories and pedagogies i leaned from textbooks, gonna say its pretty challenging especially with language difficulties but i enjoyed it so much, i still keep in touch with my students who sent me their English learning progress:)

- i met some great great people over there, the friendship aint fading away since we back to the UK

- the views! No caption needed ppl😭😭

Although program changes meant I ended up in Shanghai with a smaller group than expected this was the best outcome for me. I loved my time spent there and the freedom I had to explore the city on my own and to get to understand and experience the Chinese system, even just understanding their phone apps was interesting enough.

I felt supported throughout the entire process, and although there were certainly challenges, and I didn’t find the teaching easy, with support from the team and time I ended up really enjoying my time in the classroom!

I recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in a fully funded program to teach English to non-native speakers in Italy, and my experience was nothing short of life-changing. From the enchanting landscapes to the warm hospitality of the locals, every aspect of my time in Italy left an indelible mark on my heart.

The program provided a unique platform for cultural exchange, allowing me to connect with Italian children eager to learn English. One of the most rewarding aspects was witnessing the students' enthusiasm and curiosity as they embarked on this linguistic journey with me. Their genuine interest in mastering a new language fueled my passion for teaching and made each class a joyous and fulfilling experience.

The Italian setting itself added an extraordinary layer to the teaching process. Nestled in the heart of the charming countryside, our classes were often held outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of rolling hills and historic architecture. This immersive learning environment not only captivated the students but also inspired a sense of wonder and creativity that transcended the confines of traditional classroom settings.

From cultural immersion, to improving our teaching skills and implementing them into a variety of schools, and to many more great experiences, this programme provided amazing opportunities. I would highly recommend. With the funding provided it means that this is very accessible.
I was teaching English at a summer camp, but was lucky enough to be able to help the children with cooking classes, swimming classes and arts and crafts classes.
The programme also includes an orientation week which helps you get prepared for the teaching.

I had a really good time teaching English in Colombia for three months. I worked in a small town living in a house with 13 other people on the same programme.
I really enjoyed spending time together as a group and going on trips together. I also learned a lot more about Colombia and got to immerse myself in local culture through salsa lessons and other activities. I improved my teaching skills greatly by teaching a class of 16 7 to 8 year olds as well as increased my confidence and leadership skills.

Following completion of my final year of my Biochemistry Bachelors I decided to opt into a short international program that I heard about through my university. The main reason for me doing this was I felt I needed a break from the studies and I was ready to jump straight into lifetime career. Additionally, I am not 100% sure what it is I would like to pursue career-wise so tried something new and unrelated to my degree.

This was hands down one of the best things I have ever done, in which I have made some great friends that I hope to keep in touch with for the rest of my life. Although my first time travelling was rather daunting at first you seen meet a lot of like minded people that you can relate with regarding issues with your 'future prospects' and 'career aspirations' which you do come to a funny realisation is that no one really knows and that they just take opportunities as they come.

If you are unsure of what it is you are wanting to do or if you are just wanting a different experience then I would highly recommend GOTOCO as it is very affordable and it will also give you a lot of insight into other cultures and whether or not you would like to further explore the avenue of teaching and helping encourage younger pupils with their communication as well as their confidence :)

This was an amazing experience personally and professionally. I truly learned a lot about the balinese culture as it was a true immersive experience. I made lifelong friends and got to travel to places i'd never imagined i would ever see. Cannot sing the praise for the gotoco program enough!

On this program I got to teach Indonesian children ages 7-10 years old, which was great as i could see the difference in their english level at the start of the program compared to the end of the program. The kids were one of my favourite parts of the program.

I had such an amazing time with Gotoco in Vietnam. From meeting new people, to the excursions, to the food - everything was incredible! I am so grateful for the support I received from the coordinators, they made the process so easy. I have always wanted to volunteer but have never come across an opportunity like this one - not only do you get the experience of a lifetime, but you also gain a qualification that can work towards your future! All of this, practically for free! I recommend this programme to anyone and everyone!!!!