Teaching in Thailand vs. teaching in the Netherlands. Part 2

How it all started

I traveled through Southeast Asia for four months. I couldn’t get enough of Asia. But my money was running out… I decided to extend my stay by working in a hostel on an island called “Koh Rong” in Cambodia. Really nothing could Koh Rong there. Living on an island for one month, it was exactly what I needed. Honestly, I was just escaping from “real life” for a little longer…

You can read more about my island life in Cambodia here: http://reachelsingh.blogspot.nl/2014/01/one-month-on-koh-rong-island.html

I was trying to think of the moments that I really enjoyed teaching and trust me, there are many. I’ve always enjoyed my time studying and doing internships, teaching different grades and getting more experienced. The full time job after graduating was the bitter aftertaste that didn’t leave my mouth. Maybe I’m more ready to face it now? Maybe I was too young to be dealing with all those responsibilities? But even thinking about it made my heart race, like the nights I couldn’t sleep after long days of work. That same feeling that I had back then, it came back to me. I’ve learned many things while traveling, one thing is: follow your gut. This feeling definitely told me: DON’T DO IT!

“When you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open up in your life.” - Eckhart Tolle

There I was stuck on an island, not sure what to do next. It sounds horrible, but there was a strange sort of excitement getting to me. I was surrounded by clear blue water, white sandy beaches and travelers, mostly, very inspiring people. I realized how blessed I am. I can do anything that I want to, I can go wherever I want to go. The only thing I have to do is; make a plan, and just do it!

So I flew to Phuket -Thailand and did the TEFL (teach English to foreign learners) course. Other teachers and travelers had told me about it and it was the perfect way to gain more experience and get confident again. You can also do this course online but I don’t think you will learn as much. In this course you’ll practice what you’ve learned by teaching actual students. Besides, it’s more fun when you meet new people too. Easing my way into it, it felt good. I already knew that, no matter what, it WILL be an EXPERIENCE. Good or bad. I would never forget it and I would never regret it. I could always say; damn right I did that, and I’m proud!

You can read more about my TEFL experience here: http://reachelsingh.blogspot.nl/2014/01/there-and-back-my-last-month-in-asia.html

I have to say, I’ve always had the confidence to do it because of the support from my family and friends back home. I see travelers seeking for freedom but get lost somewhere, influenced by the feeling of uncertainty and guilt of leaving family members behind. My mom is a traveler herself and my parents always supported every decision I made. 

 

With the help of some (teacher) friends I had met in Phuket I was sorted with a job, a house and a bike within a couple weeks. I applied to one of the schools in Phuket by sending my resume and application letter through e-mail. We arranged a skype interview and before I knew it I had the job. I arranged it all online while being at home with my family. I love it when things fall into place like that! It gives me the feeling that I’m doing the right thing.

Sitting in a plane, knowing that you’re flying to the other side of the world, to start a new life for a whole year, it’s freaking weird. I am actually doing this. All by myself...

“If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough”

My non- B visa was arranged and I was ready to get my stamp to get into Thailand after a 17 hour long flight. The immigration officer looked in my passport and then looked at me again and asked: “You teacher?” I said: “Yes.” He put his hands together and gave me a ‘Wai’ which means many things; in this case, I respect you. He said: “Aaaaah welcoooome teachaaa, welcome to Thailaaaaand.” I couldn’t stop smiling. It was a good start of a new life. Thai people are mostly warm and welcoming people.

The lifestyle

Compared to the Netherlands I have a higher standard of life and I'm spending much less money. You can choose to live in a condo (mostly provided with a pool and/or gym),or you can share a house with some (teacher) friends. I've always been living with other teachers. It makes being far away from home and family easier, you'll never feel alone. Friends become your family. I've made some really special connections over time.

Unfortunately people come and go all the time. That's one thing that makes living in a place like this hard and is also the reason I have moved a couple times from place to place. One of the houses I've lived in was like a dream. It was huge! Surrounded by beautiful nature. It had two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a big living area, a dining area, a kitchen and we only paid 18.000 baht for the whole house. That's 9000 baht each. That is not even 250 euro's each!! In Holland I would have to be a doctor to be able to afford a house like this.

I love my bike. It gives me total freedom. I go everywhere on it. I rent my bike for 2500 baht a month which is about 60 euro's. Some people say it's better to buy a bike. It's definitly cheaper than renting but my bike get's checked every couple months. For someone that doesn't know a thing about bikes it's the safer option, I think. Yes, traffic is crazy sometimes. Just be careful, and get comfortable driving it.

In Thailand I almost never cook because I can afford to go out and eat. It's mostly cheaper than buying all the groceries yourself anyway. Friends and good food is the perfect combination.We order everything delicious on the menu and share! Massaman curry, pineapple fried rice, penang curry, pad thai, grilled spicy fish. Talking about life with our bare feet sticking in the sand...

Long weekends or holidays off from work is the time to travel around Asia or beautiful islands nearby. I never get bored of Thailands beauty.

I've been teaching in Thailand for 1,5 years now, and I still love it. I teach about 19 hours a week. I have two kindergarten classes. Both of them have English and Math classes. In each class I have 25 – 30 students. My working hours are like heaven compared to what I was used to. I have long breaks in between my teaching hours. In this time I can prepare my lessons, mark my books, get creative and make fun teaching materials, do whatever needs to be done, or just relax and drink coffee. I NEVER take work home with me.

We all know that teachers in Western countries get underpaid work incredibly hard. I have so much respect for all the teachers out there giving all their heart and life for the purpose of teaching. I hope some day we get a wake up call and finally see that education is what keeps countries going. Good teachers inspire and have an impact on this generation, our future. How can we underappreciate that so much?

In my next blog you can have a look in my classroom! I will write what and how I teach my kids in Thailand, Thai education and their culture.