We asked Bridget, who is currently on the Teach in Thailand Internship to tell us why she chose to sign up to the Thailand internship and tell us how she’s been getting on. So, here is Bridget’s story:
*Warning you cannot read without wanting to be in Thailand right now*
What were you doing before you signed up to the internship?
I was actually travelling in South America when I decided to sign on to the internship with i-to-i. I'd finished my uni studies and had a 6-month stint mooching about South America, and decided that I didn't want the adventures to end, heard about the Thailand internship and decided to sign up!
What interested you to teaching English abroad?
I'm a little addicted to spending my money on travel related things, and being the costly addiction that it is, I needed to find something to supplement the habit but still lets me feed it! I'm a little bit of a grammar nazi as well, so what better job to dictate grammar functions than English teaching? I love to learn and teach, so teaching English abroad is a great way to do both simultaneously.
What attracted you to Thailand?
Not going to lie, it was the food. I'd been to Thailand a few years ago on a holiday and fell in love with the country then, so was in no way hesitant to return. Out of the countries on offer for internships with i-to-i, Thailand was the one that struck my fancy the most. The climate is also amazing (I'm one of those freaks that enjoys humidity), and the timing of the internship works out perfectly that I miss winter at home! There's so much to see and do in Thailand, so there's plenty of weekend activities. You're never lonely or bored in the "Land of Smiles".
Why did you decide to sign up to the internship?
I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself after my South America adventure, but I was pretty certain I wasn't ready to find a proper job in my home country and settle down just yet. I'd been wanting to try TEFLing for a while, and the internship seemed like the best way to pop my TEFL cherry. All the bureaucratic stuff is sorted out for me, so I can focus on being a first-time teacher. I don't have to worry about finding accommodation, employment or friends because they've all been given to me!
How was your orientation in Thailand? Can you tell me a little about that, what you got up to etc
The orientation in Bangkok was where the bases of friendships were established. We had 2 intensive TEFL training days, 2 days of introduction to Thailand and teaching, and were put up in a hotel with all our meals provided. There happened to be some kind of carnival with nightly Thai pop music performances and flowing beers, so that's where a lot of group bonding went on, as well as the surrounding bars. We had a brief tourist day where we were shown a few of the key Bangkok sights before being treated to a rooftop dinner.
How is the teaching part of the internship going?
Teaching has been the most enjoyable and most confusing part of my time in Thailand. A lot of the time you're not quite sure what you're supposed to be doing, but if you maintain composure and are able to roll with the punches, you're going to have a good time. The kids love to have fun and won't hesitate to entertain you with a little song and dance. The Thai teachers really look after you, sharing all their food with you in the staffroom and some might take you out for a meal or even for a whole day of sight-seeing! I've learnt that I really enjoy teaching, and the kids enjoy themselves if you're enjoying yourself!
Overall, are you enjoying your Thailand experience?
No, it's awful (note sarcasm). But really, I am having an absolute ball. I've made a great bunch of new mates out of the other interns, we have a good thing going. I've found a job that I really enjoy, and that will allow me to continue my relationship with travel. I get to eat wonderful Thai food whenever I want, for ridiculously low prices. I'm missing winter! I have a million wonderful places I can visit on the weekends. Yeah, it's not half bad.
If you want to be heading to Thailand yourself, you could be heading out in October for the Teach in Thailand Internship. Download your free guide to teaching in Thailand to get all the details – http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-thailand-lawoe-guide.html
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