Thailand 1995 My thoughts

Of all the volunteers who went to Thailand through world teach in 1995, I remained the longest at three years and six months to be exact. In my first year I was a world teach volunteer and then the remaining two and a half years I was well connected with friends both Thai and foreign that helped me to continue this wonderful experience on my own without a safety net.
I can't really say that I relied on world teach for much. I ventured outside the net so to speak of other volunteers and made some close friends that were much like family to me in the time I was in Thailand. My experience overall was very positive and I grew emotionally and spiritually from my time there. There were times when I got lonely and home sick but I always had love and support from someone I met while living in Thailand.
The work experience was a little more complicated the first year in Bangkok. The English dept head used the teacher exchange through world teach as sort of her adoption agency so to speak. (lot of laughs) The dept head was very controlling and expected the volunteers to conform in a professional manner to her needs. First year personal experience was great. Work was challenging do to controlling dept head.
My second year was in Chiang Rai and my work and social experience in terms of connecting with a community were the strongest here. I also made new friends who were teachers from Thailand, China and my home country the US. I had the opportunity to live in an agrarian community and felt very much apart of the school and work environment. Felt very much apart of the work environment and have great memories here both work and personally.

Third year I had some personal complications with my father getting sick back in the states that I believe greatly impacted my experience in this my final work year in Thailand. School I was at was run by a bunch of controlling little Thai ladies who ran the place like a bunch of nuns. Environment was difficult at times do to their subtle controlling nature or passive aggressive that demanded conforming beyond normal expectations in my opinion. Again, this was in Bangkok.
Overall my personal experience was fantastic as was every year in Thailand. Had the chance to make new friends, lovers, stayed at the homes of locals as their guests. Treated very well and lots and lots of good memories Great overall experience. Thoughts to return and live abroad again linger to this day in my mind. Living abroad is in my blood. : )