TEFL Institute Alumna Julia spent two year teaching in Bangkok, Thailand after completing her TEFL Professional Online Course in 2009.
"'I’m definitely not ready to leave this place, this life, this familiar routine of mine, not to mention the $3.25/hour weekly or bi-weekly massages either! But I am ready to move on, try something new, and push myself towards another goal. Yep, it’s time to change it up. Go.’
It was coming up on eight months living in Bangkok when I began seriously thinking about the next step(s) I wanted to take on my journey in Thailand, and in life. Having achieved my original goal of living and working abroad, it was now time to explore other options. After a few hours of googling on one of my leisurely days off, I was set on continuing my education and getting a Master’s Degree. I put off my application to the program- who really wants to write a personal statement and go filing through their hard drive for a writing sample on their day off?- until the very last day and by some stroke of genius got accepted.
I started my master’s degree in International Development Studies, at Chulalongkorn University, almost one year to the day that I arrived in Bangkok and signed my one-year teaching contract. Even though I was going to school full-time (5 courses) I worked out a great schedule with my school, Wall Street Institute, whereby I could work part-time and still keep my work-permit (amazing while it lasted!) Keeping my teaching job meant that I had almost no free time, but if you want something bad enough you will sacrifice to make it happen. So school started in September and immediately I knew I had made the right decision; I loved (most) of the courses, I liked (most of) my teachers, and I instantly made amazing friends (without whom I can’t imagine my life!)
The best part about doing my master’s in international development in Thailand was that everything I learned in the classroom was very translatable to the world around me; everyday things I overlooked in the past became increasingly noticeable and incredibly relevant- I saw Bangkok, Thailand, and Asia in an entirely new way. With new insights and a keen interest in getting more work experience (oh and money), I applied for an internship during my second semester with a development agency called, The Kenan Institute Asia. Though my internship turned out to be more of a stepping, rather than a milestone, I did gain good experience working within the confines (and there are many) of a big US development agency, and it enabled me to jump on the next opportunity in the non-profit sector with both confidence and enthusiasm.
When I finished my 2nd and final semester of classes at university, and my internship requirements, I was ready for a break. But did I take one? No! I was offered a job as the Communications Director of a small, Thai-run, non-profit foundation called, The Thai Foundation for Responsible Drinking. The job didn’t pay well but I was really enthralled by the mission: to create a more responsible drinking culture (public) in Thailand through the creation of targeted, evidence-based campaigns and educational events. My job took over my life for about three of the six months I worked there, and in that time I had the opportunity to meet, write, and present information to some of the most influential business and non-profit leader’s in Thailand. Though my time at the foundation ended abruptly and rather unfortunately, the experience I gained from those sixth months has proven to be invaluable to me as I return to the United States and enter into a fiercely competitive job market.
The most important thing that has changed, with respect to my outlook on work and life back home, is my confidence and my ability to see opportunities where others cannot, or do not. Living, working and studying overseas enabled me to watch and understand the world very differently which is proving to be equally as valuable here in the US as it was in Thailand. This confidence I feel and my unique outlook on life has given way to a host of new opportunities, within a very short time, that I feel very excited about pursuing- especially on my home turf, where fewer linguistic and cultural barriers will exist.
Bottom line, going abroad to achieve one goal (teaching in my case) will inevitably lead you down other paths and avenues. Those other paths will not immediately present themselves to you- you’ve just arrived in a foreign country and are still trying to figure out which snacks to buy and how to ask for coins for the washing machine- but when they do, follow your gut and remember that all good things in life take time and require (some) sacrifice. You will thank yourself later, trust me."
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