When you set out to teach English abroad, you’re off to teach others. But what you may not realize is how much you’ll learn yourself. Many people consider travel to be a form of education in and of itself. Travel teaches you...
1...how to be more independent. When you leave your home and set off for a new country, you’ve taken a big step to become a more mature and fully developed person. Through your experience, you’ll learn life skills, how to rely on yourself, and how to survive. It will teach you how to be street smart and think intelligently when you’re in situations that are unfamiliar to you. You’ll also learn practical skills, like how to budget your money.
2...how to plan, and how to be flexible if that plan falls through. Traveling teaches you how to deal with situations beyond your control. If you have plans that for whatever reason don’t happen (because of rain, snow, you were bitten by a monkey – yikes!), you’ll learn how to let go, make the most of the situation, and have fun with whatever surprises are thrown your way.
Liz was faced with some surprises when she set out to teach English in South Korea and later decided to trek up a mountain:
“Halla - the dormant volcano - was incredible. However, I didn’t really consider the fact that it’s the highest peak in South Korea and I hadn’t done any real exercise for a couple of months…what the hell was I doing climbing a 6,400 ft mountain? But, although I might have been lagging behind, getting pretty sweaty, wondering why I didn’t get sponsored for this and considering giving up at the halfway point, it was absolutely beautiful. There was so much snow, it looked like a fairytale. And, actually, it wasn’t as hard as I’d feared.”
3...that there is a lot more going on in the world than just what’s going on in your backyard. Visiting poorer countries opens people’s eyes to the poverty that exists in the world and to how much better and easier people who live in Western countries have it. It teaches you to be thankful for what you have. It might give you a whole new lease on life and inspire you to try to change the world and make it better! But how are you supposed to understand and empathize with the world if you haven’t seen it for yourself?
Like Jessica, a TEFLer in Thailand who was motivated by her experience to do something to help others:
“I would say this experience in Thailand has influenced me. Teaching in Thailand has opened my eyes to how thirsty kids are for knowledge and how beneficial it is for them to learn English. I’ve realized how important a proper education is, yet there are many kids who can’t afford it or live in an area without an adequate school. After my teaching contract is up, I plan on staying abroad for a few more years and will most likely continue teaching English in schools or on a volunteer basis. Eventually, I would like set up a non-profit that raises money and materials for rural schools and helps motivate kids to continue their education.”
4...self-confidence. If you can navigate new countries with foreign languages – even learn how to speak them yourself, learn new skills, deal with new customs and exotic foods, and survive the experience, you’ll gain self-confidence. You’ll realize how capable you are and how you can do anything!
5…how to be open-minded and welcome new experiences. It teaches you about other cultures. You learn about and appreciate the differences in how people think and how they live.
6...that the world is a truly beautiful place. Witnessing such awe-inspiring sights such as the Great Wall of China or the rainforests of Costa Rica makes you realize what a stunning world we live in.
What has travelling taught you?
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Coming from England other countries seem huge in comparison... There are similarities between every country but there can also be many differences - it is these differences that can make the final decision as to whether to like or dislike a country. I've only been in Japan a year and already i can feel the changes from when i first came here... for example, when i go to the post office and confidently take a ticket and then sit quietly waiting for my turn knowing for a fact it could be 15mins before i am seen (even though i'm next in line) and that to transfer money home will take about 45mins.
I think being in the countryside has allowed me to truly experience japanese culture - the strange thing is i have more japanese friends then foreign friends most foreigners stick together and make few japanese friends. Also surviving an earthquake and tsunami has brought us closer together.
I have been through so much, learnt so much and seen so much... next year my plan is to move south near osaka, after that maybe a new country all together...i turned 25 last week and my mum said to me "You know, when i was your age me and your dad were planning to get married and have a family...i dont think you will ever do that, your a free spirit which is rare...your doing what i dreamed of but never did...i'm proud you are my son"
Basically the world is a big place, it will take a long time to see...if you want to see it all you have to make sacrifices a long the way - we chose our own path in life...the scariest one is the one most people dont take but if you're lucky you might end up seeing whole new worlds
Arielle, what a fantastic blog......and I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments!!!
Even as a "mature" person, who had travelled extensively before, the opportunity to live and teach in another country/culture has been a truly life changing event. Yes, I was independent, self confident etc otherwise I would not have been to so many places travelling solo BUT the new expereiences of living in a different culture have been even better than I could possibly have dreamed of!!!
I hope everyone reading your blog takes note.....it truly is a wonderful world we live in with so much to offer.
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