Hi, friends! My name is Brooke, and I’m an American from east Tennessee. My Thailand experience began just over a year ago – when I headed to teach English as a first time solo traveler. This choice is a little funny because I studied almost everything other than education in college. If you are in the same boat, don’t be intimidated. Anyone can learn to teach with the right mindset.
I graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (go vols!) in 2019, then worked in marketing and business development until 2021. I loved my job in the States but always felt that something was missing. I was itching to see the world. As a junkie for human connection, adventure, and photography, I craved so deeply to travel and make some sort of positive impact. BUT, I kept putting this desire on the back burner. Then in 2020, COVID hit. When the world turned upside down, I realized that life is fragile. If the pandemic showed me anything, it’s that we need to make the most of the time that we have. So, I dusted off my dreams and began to make them a reality.
“As a first time solo traveler, I knew that I wanted to go through a company that could bridge the cultural gap and break down language barriers.”
Moving across the world is a big deal! I was also looking for a place to earn my TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) or TESOL (teaching English as a second language) that was affordable yet all encompassing. After doing a ton of research, I stumbled upon XploreAsia’s website. I scheduled a video call with an XploreAsia team member and was sold almost instantly. She answered all my questions, which made the entire process feel much less daunting and set my heart at ease.
There are about a million and one documents involved with working in Thailand and I didn’t want to miss a beat! It was important to me to find an organization that could streamline the process and remove a lot of the stress involved. I wanted to enjoy the process. Naturally, I chose to do the 120-hour, internationally accredited TESOL course and cultural immersion program at XploreAsia’s HQ, in Hua Hin. Here, I learned how to teach. We studied everything from age specific techniques to classroom management and the nuances of teaching. Since I came during COVID, the course was a hybrid – half online, half in person. By the end of all the modules, I felt truly confident teaching in classrooms. The language lessons and cultural immersion activities also really helped prepare me for my Thailand experience and everyday life.
One of the unexpected benefits of XploreAsia is that I met a surplus of like-minded people from around the world! These beautiful souls are now some of my best friends. By nature of the program, I built a strong expat community. It’s invaluable to share all of the brilliant, bizarre experiences of living abroad with fellow teachers. (Throughout this past year in Thailand, they have made “the land of smiles” feel much more like home.) Luckily, two other XploreAsia graduates were placed at my school. Although, most of my friends were placed at schools in other provinces throughout Thailand. This turned out to be amazing because it gave us all plenty of reasons to visit each other and see new places during school breaks. It made my Thailand experience so worthwhile.
“I had no idea what to expect during the placement process, but I knew that I wanted to live in a tight knit community in northern Thailand.”
Speaking of placements, let me tell you a little about my lovely, sleepy home away from home: Lampang. I was drawn to this area for its rich Lanna culture, stunning mountain ranges, and surplus of Buddhist temples. Many people forget about northern Thailand, but I’m telling you, it’s amazing. At first, I was hesitant to accept the placement offer in Lampang… committing to live somewhere for a year is no joke! Maybe it was my chronic independence or first time moving abroad jitters, but I felt nervous. When I expressed my mixed feelings, an XploreAsia team member was quick to schedule a video call to answer my plethora of questions about Lampang. She didn’t sugar coat anything but, instead, gave a realistic view of what to expect. I really appreciated her honesty.
After this call, I knew just enough about Lampang to say “yes.” Wikipedia, Google Maps, and Instagram location tags helped me fill in the rest. The biggest thing that I knew before moving to Lampang is to have an open mind and willing heart…
After living in Lampang for a year, I can whole-heartedly say that this placement surpassed my expectations. I feel so lucky! The Thai community here welcomed me with open arms. I drank Samsung (Thai “whisky” but tastes nothing like whiskey), sang karaoke, celebrated festivals, shared laughs, and learned the beauty of being fully immersed in a new culture. My friends joke that I might as well be a brand ambassador for our charming, little town.
“For me, the hardest part of moving abroad was deciding to actually do it. I love adventures and meeting new people, so I felt confident that it would be a good experience. BUT, it takes a different type of courage to take a leap of faith and actually turn dreams into reality.”
I highly recommend traveling and living abroad. If you feel a little call to move across the world, this is your sign. Do it! You will gain so many new perspectives that reshape how you think about yourself and the surrounding world. As cheesy as it may be, this past year of teaching English really has been life changing. I hope that by me sharing only a part of my Thailand experience, more people will be inspired to take the leap.
Guest Writer: Brooke, XploreAsia Alum
“Nerding out about nature, yoga, photography, and human connection while traveling the world. Follow along with my journey @brookecarl on Instagram.”
So incredibly proud of you and your decision to get out of your comfort zone and move to Thailand. Truly have enjoyed all your posts sharing some of your amazing jouneys and people you have connected with this past year. Selfishly, I can’t wait to have you home and hear more about your adventures. Love you, mom✌
Thanks for contributing, Brooke! Love following your journey!