TEFL Institute Alumna Nina is working in Thailand as a TEFL instructor after taking our TEFL Professional Online Course in 2011.
"Teaching in Thailand is nothing short of amazing! I came out here to get away from the regular life of sitting behind a desk for 40+ hours, having people watch and monitor my every move, having the same boring salad for lunch while eating at my desk still working, and getting paid just enough to pay my bills. I was stressed out and bored with life (being in the same city for way too long) so I picked up and moved to Thailand - the single best decision of entire life! I quit my jobs (yes i was working 2-3 jobs to pay my bills and to save a little for coming out here), gave all my stuff away, said goodbye to my dog, family, and friends.
Since I have been here, my life could not be any better. I have no stress, no worries, enough money to pay my very minimal bills while still saving for more traveling and fun. I am happy and cheerful, but most of all, being here has changed me for the better by making me see what is really important in life- happiness. We know this but nobody cares to actually live happily, which is harder to do back home than it is here.
Here, you are surrounded by beauty. The sites are, of course, beautiful...but although most of the towns are shanty-type towns here the people are beautiful. They always have a smile on their face and will say "Hello" or "Sawa-dee-ka" without thinking twice. The few people who watch over my apt offer to let me sit with them for lunch if they catch me passing by even though they don't know a single English word. There are friendly and inviting people here and it makes me so happy! Everyone is willing to help, no matter what.
Teaching at my school in Ayutthaya is great. Although we have very large classes and the kids can be less than attentive, you make it work. I'm only teaching a few hours but there are the few kids that really are interested! Although it may not feel like it, you are making a difference in their lives, and it feels good. Just to give everyone a very small taste of the kids' attitude here: while my students and I were standing outside our classroom waiting for our classroom to be available, one of my students said hello to me and asked how I was. I said I was great and asked how are you. He said he was good as well. I asked him if he was excited it's Friday because it's almost the weekend! He said yes teacher, but I am happy every day! It made me smile for the rest of the day. It makes you wonder why I didn't have this outlook when I was this boy's age? (He was in my older class so probably about 16-18 years old.) The people here really live day to day and are happy no matter what. Back home, all I could think about was the weekend, and sometimes I couldn't look forward to that either because I was working at one of my other jobs for extra money. :-/
The food here is amazing and is really made with love - you can taste it. I'm not talking about walking into a restaurant to eat either... you need to eat the street food. It's the best and it's dirt cheap. The night markets are my favorite place in the world! - so many different street vendors to choose from and they are all simply delicious!
I love it so much here and I want everyone to know."
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TEFL Institute Alumna Nina is working in Thailand as a TEFL instructor after taking our 
Teaching at my school in Ayutthaya is great. Although we have very large classes and the kids can be less than attentive, you make it work. I'm only teaching a few hours but there are the few kids that really are interested! Although it may not feel like it, you are making a difference in their lives, and it feels good. Just to give everyone a very small taste of the kids' attitude here: while my students and I were standing outside our classroom waiting for our classroom to be available, one of my students said hello to me and asked how I was. I said I was great and asked how are you. He said he was good as well. I asked him if he was excited it's Friday because it's almost the weekend! He said yes teacher, but I am happy every day! It made me smile for the rest of the day. It makes you wonder why I didn't have this outlook when I was this boy's age? (He was in my older class so probably about 16-18 years old.) The people here really live day to day and are happy no matter what. Back home, all I could think about was the weekend, and sometimes I couldn't look forward to that either because I was working at one of my other jobs for extra money. :-/
