TEFL Advisor Brian spent time teaching English in Alaska and then was accepted into the JET program, teaching in Japan for two years. Since returning to the US and moving to Chicago, he has been helping others get into the TEFL field with the TEFL Institute.
"I knew that I wanted to travel after college. I wanted the adventure and challenge of living and working half a world away from my comfort zone.
I started my adventure in southwest Alaska teaching in Yu’pik five miles off the coast of the Bering Sea. Though I was still technically in the US, the experience could not have been any further from my Chicagoland upbringing. The village could only be reached by bush plane. The village had a landing strip, a school, a general store, a post office, a medical building, large petroleum containers, two massive generators, and only 400 people. Fish, birds, seals, and walrus were the main fare. It was an incredible experience and like all great adventures it left me wanting more. So, when the Alaska adventure ended, I went to Japan.
I taught in a relatively small (1,000,000 people) city in Japan for two years. I entered every class with 40 students clapping and cheering. I was a celebrity and I loved it. I traveled all throughout Japan during my two years. I hiked to the top of Mt. Fuji and to the tops of mountains throughout Tohoku. I visited Kyoto, twice. I attended happy hour at the Sapporo brewery in Sapporo. Bullet trains shot me to Tokyo in an hour and a half. I developed a love for Karaoke. I also traveled to other Asian countries. I spent a few weeks in China and another few weeks in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Teaching English abroad is an excellent way to see the world, go in depth with a new culture, and develop a skill-set that will keep you in demand throughout the world."
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