I have been teaching and living in Thailand since October of 2023. My relationship with the KET team has been a supportive and positive one from the time I arrived in Thailand up to my most current placement at Bangmunnak School. I have learned so much along the way. If you're from the "West", like I am, be ready for changes and challenges. Embrace the fun times, but also be prepared to face the realities of day-to-day life as a teacher in a school system that challenges your expectations of what schools should be and how students should behave. There is ALWAYS a gap in realities between being a tourist and living in country on a longer-term basis.
When I first started my orientation with KET, we were advised on the cultural behaviors and expectations of Thai people, how to handle culture shock, culture clashes, and navigating life in a society that seems similar on the surface, but that is so much different from our own.
So what have I learned? I have learned to cultivate patience, smooth out my temper when things don't go well, to take moments literally one minute at a time, and to remember to appreciate my fellow Thai teachers for the support they give, even if I think it is "imperfect". It is easy to be simultaneously frustrated with your students and care deeply about them. My experiences became better when I put myself in their shoes, learned to see things from their perspectives, laughed at their crazy jokes and appreciated their sense of humor.
I have enjoyed the dinners, the school festivals, the storytelling, dance and singing competitions, the drama and spectacle of Sports Day, the shared office jokes. And in the difficult moments, at every step of the way, I knew I could reach out to KET's staff for advice and support. I always got helpful assistance with the critical matters, like immigration forms, acquiring non-B and tourist visas, navigating and resolving disagreements with Thai staff, and learning how to balance work life with personal life.
I encourage anyone who is thinking about teaching overseas to take the plunge and embrace the challenges of navigating work and life in a foreign land. Kids' English - Thailand will help you every step of the way.
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried fried meal worms and bamboo worms. Of course, being an American, the thought of eating insects grossed me out. But a coworker at a high school in Lampang, Thailand brought some worms as part of her lunch. I was surprised at myself for trying them ... AND THEY WERE GOOD! The meal worms in particular had a delicate flavor and tasted like they were seasoned with lemongrass. The bamboo worms had a nutty, earthy flavor to them. While insects are still not my first choice for a snack, tasting them wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.