I am so glad I did this program!

Moving across the world to pursue a profession I have never done before was definitely scary, but CIEE made it easy and doable by organizing almost every detail other than your prep and flight to Thailand. CIEE provides ample support throughout your entire experience. The orientation program they provide when you first arrive is thorough and gives you a great opportunity to connect with other program members. CIEE (or OEG) is always there for whatever you need. The coordinators all make themselves very available via FB, etc. to answer any questions and concerns you might have. The only concern I will mention is that much of your experience is largely dependent on your placement. While CIEE provided teacher training materials and an idea of what your experience might look like, I feel that this training/information was geared toward residents of cities or suburbs. I was placed randomly in a very rural area of Thailand. My students' English proficiency (high schoolers) is mostly nonexistent, so it was very difficult for me to adjust to teaching at first given that much of our training revolved around English learners with at least very basic literacy. My living condition is inferior to other teachers I know throughout Thailand but far superior to many locals in my rural and low-income area. I would not trade this experience for the world despite the challenges. It has given me incredible perspective and gratitude. As long as you are okay with accepting that CIEE cannot account for every single experience and that many of your questions might be answered with "it depends" until you actually see for yourself, this experience is a MUST. You will grow in so many ways!