"A stunning country with a beautiful culture"
"Thailand is a stunning country, with a beautiful culture and countryside and is an experience that one should really not miss out on. I have really enjoyed being here, and David and the Gap Year Thailand organisation, including all the people I have met whilst staying here, have been wonderful." - Althea Wiggin
"I feel on top of the world"
"I am getting on really well and the family are really nice. I have my own room. I am living on a fruit plantation, which is nice. The food is lovely, but they do like to feed me every 2 hours. The weather is constantly wonderful - I feel on top of the world. We had a wonderful New Year, and went canoeing and to the floating market. Gap Year Thailand certainly stands out in making a person feel listened to, and personalising the whole experience. Nuan has been extremely helpful and supportive to us. Thank you, David - you have continued to be an excellent help and support." - Sapphire Brewer
"I originally had reservations about how useful I would be..."
I knew I wanted to travel the world before settling down to the ‘real’ working world. Having visited Thailand on two previous occasions and falling in love with a country so rich in culture and character, I decided to start my travelling here. I wanted to experience more of Thailand than I already knew from the tourist destinations. That’s when I found Gap Year Thailand. Gap Year Thailand appealed to me because it is not a massive for-profit organization. It is a smaller organization focused on making the volunteers experience personal and genuine. David allowed me to customize my own programme, from the type of school I wanted, to the size of town/city I stayed in, to the length of time I stayed in the school. From there David organized everything, making it so much easier for me to enjoy.
When I arrived in the town of Klaeng in Rayong Province, after meeting up with Ian (an Australian, who was my mentor) I was given a guided tour of my new town before being taken to Klaeng “Wittayasathaworn” School. I got to meet all the people associated with the school and I instantly felt welcome. I met all the English language department staff who spoke English very well. I was quickly adopted by a Thai mum, teacher Chon, who made sure I wanted for nothing. I cannot describe the warmth and generosity of not only the teachers and students, but of the people of Klaeng too. I felt like part of the community, with people eager to meet me and offering me food and beer almost every day! I became involved in the community including through football, playing for the teachers’ team against other schools in the region and even the police team! Thai people love football and this was a great way for me to interact with people all over the town. I was also invited to the wedding of one of the staff of the school. I was the only non-Thai person there – it was a great honour for me.
I originally had my reservations about how useful I would be as a volunteer English teacher in such a short period of time. I began teaching as an assistant to the Thai teacher before moving onto preparing my own half-lessons. The children loved having a British teacher in the school. I was taken out regularly by the students and teachers to see the numerous sights all over Klaeng. After a short period of time I was assured that I was making a difference - the students, and teachers, really do appreciate speaking and communicating with a native English speaker.
I only have a few days left of my stay and words cannot describe the experience I have had. I came here with the intention of trying something different in Thailand and I have achieved that and so much more. I will remember this experience and the people I have met for the rest of my life. Thanks a lot David for everything, you made all this happen." - Andrew Hynd
"I've gained more than I ever thought possible"
"We are having a good time on the orientation and everyone is so nice and friendly with us. We have been doing all sorts and hanging out with Nuan each evening."
"Sorry, I have been having so much fun, I had forgotten to email you. I am having a great time here. The school is good. I am settling superbly and the girls in my apartment are sooooo nice and helpful and friendly and the Principal is also very nice. Its so different but good. So all is well."
"Things here are great, really having such a great time. I have come here, done what I had intended and gained more from it than I ever thought possible."
...and later...
"It's one of the best things I could have done"
"I'm in frequent touch by eMail and phone with the friends I made in Thailand"
"I am nothing but truly grateful and thankful for the support, advice and guidance that has been given to me. Thank you." - Stephanie Stinson
"At the university"
"Dr Pratchit has been very kind to me. I have eaten with his friends and family most evenings and I have been made very welcome. He has given me a bicycle to get around the University and has gone to every effort to make sure that I am happy.
I have learnt a lot about Thai culture. When Dr Prachit says I learned very fast about Thai language and Thai culture: he is too kind about my development in Thai language. I think this week I will look for a better textbook!"
- Simon Quarmby
"I got 3 job offers..."
"I went to Thailand as an unqualified volunteer teacher of English, and within 2 months had 3 job offers for paid employment as a teacher.
During my introduction week in Thailand, we were shown many different aspects of the Thai culture. We were introduced to Thai food, Thai language, and Thai schools. On our fourth day in Thailand we went to a nursery school based in Bang Saen; there were eight classes in the school with 15-20 students in each class. When we arrived we were given ideas and examples to make a lesson plan for a class. I had only ever done one lesson plan before and it was for a different subject. After an hour of preparation time I was given a classroom of 16 students for 45 minutes. There were 3 assistant teachers there to help with the translation for the students. I got the students to play English games and write letters from the alphabet. At the end of the day I was invited into the Director’s office and was offered a job as a English teacher, with a contract for 1 year; she told me how much she was willing to pay me and also discussed accommodation. As I was going to my placement as a volunteer teacher a few days later I declined her offer.
In my volunteer placement in Chonburi, during lunch breaks I helped a 6th year girl for an English speaking competition which she was entering. When competition day came I went along with her for support and last minute preparation. While she was being judged I was sitting outside on a bench when I was approached by a Thai teacher from another school. She asked what I was doing here in Thailand and where I was teaching. Then she asked me directly if I was interested in a job at her school as an English teacher. Once again she said how much they were willing to pay and said they would supply accommodation and some meals, with a 6 month contract. I was very surprised, as she hadn’t even seen me teach a class. As I was only a couple of weeks into my placement I declined the offer, but they insisted in giving me a number to call if I changed my mind.
I taught as a volunteer in Chonburi for 2 months, on Gap Year Thailand. I lived in the village with a local homestay family. I had a range of students from 1st year to 6th year, as well as helping the other teachers. As I was in my last week at the school on my volunteer placement I was offered a job with a year’s contract with accommodation and a reasonable pay, but I again declined the offer as I had plans for travelling.
While I was in Thailand as a volunteer teacher I made many friends. Thai people are very friendly and helpful. Even Thai people who could barely string a sentence together in English would find a way to make you feel welcome. When I left my placement I was given business cards left, right, and centre (all especially written in English for me) from the teachers, parents, kids and members of the community. They all said the same in giving them to me "contact us anytime, if you need anything at all during your time in Thailand or when you decide to come and visit again". During my placement and subsequently when I travelled around Thailand I made many friends. To this day I speak to them on email, Facebook and by text message. They are constantly asking how I am and what I am doing now. They often send pictures of themselves teaching within the school and of their holidays to visit their family in various parts of Thailand. They are always welcoming me back to visit, and are always asking when I am coming for a holiday. I made so many amazing friends when I was there that I feel I could go out again tomorrow and have somewhere to stay and will be very well looked after. I have two very close friends who email me weekly with updates on what is going on at the school and day to day activities - they also use the emails to improve their written English; that’s good. I am considering going out very soon for a visit to see them and have a holiday.
I feel if I need a job in Thailand I would be able to go out and use one of my job offers if I want.
What can I conclude from this experience? Well, firstly, that – in Thailand at least – there is massive enthusiasm for learning English; secondly, that the schools very keen to have first-language speakers of English as teachers; and thirdly that is it obviously possible to start as an unqualified volunteer teacher of English and easily get offers of employment.
I had thought I would go to Thailand and get some teaching experience but I never thought I would come home with three job offers - and one of the best memories of my life." - Dilys Ewart
"A life-changing experience...Amazing"
"I first got involved with the Gap Year Thailand programme when I decided to defer entry onto my chosen university programme. As I explored my gap year options on the internet I soon realised that Asia was my preferred destination and when Gap Year Thailand appeared it seemed ideal. Not only does it allow freedom but security and was a lot less expensive than other gap year programmes out there. Also, I did not want to travel for an entire year, just a short period of time. This programme allows maximum flexibility to enable this. I stayed in Thailand for four months, which I have to say were life-changing.
A month before my departure, I attended the introductory weekend. We ate in some Thai restaurants just to get a feel for the food, but to be honest it pales in comparison. Thai food is really delicious - don't worry if you don't think you like spicy things, by the end of your trip you'll be eating Sum Tam like a pro!
I arrived in Bangkok, in a whirlwind of emotions: fear, excitement for adventure and downright culture shock. Bangkok is unlike anything I had ever encountered. Here I met the programme co-ordinators: Dr. Chawalert and Dr. Nuanpachong who were to become our in-country support. They gave us a Bangkok tour and gave us valuable lessons on Thai culture and Thai education.
At the end of the week we went to our host families and host schools. It was a daunting experience; for me meeting new people in general is a worry. The two English teachers and another teacher who spoke very good English met me on my arrival and helped me settle in. They were so friendly and it was so easy to communicate with them that I immediately began to relax and enjoy my new surroundings.
First day at school I was meeting all the other teachers and trying in vain to remember all the strange sounding names. The teachers and students were very eager to meet me and excited yet shy in talking to me. I settled in right away and spent the first week observing classes and seeing where I could slot in my teaching.
I was taken by the headmistress and my host family to places of interest quite often. I have visited Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Rayong, Ko Samed and Doi Inthanon in Chiang Rai to name a few. It is an excellent experience seeing all these beautiful places from the Thai people who know the cheapest transport and best restaurants!
I only stayed in Thailand for four months but it was amazing. At first I was homesick, but to be honest after the first few weeks I was too busy to worry. When I was leaving, the village held a leaving party for me and it was brilliant. The head of education in my region gave me a present and gave a little speech as did the eldest man of the village also the principal and Dr. Nuan. It was very moving and it was at that moment I felt that I truly made a difference, no matter how minute or apparently insignificant. I left home a little girl from a rural area who had never been farther than a holiday in Spain with my family, I had never stayed away from my home longer than 5 days and I was standing in front of 100 people in traditional Thai dress dancing and saying goodbye. Amazing."
- Ashleigh Davey
"My last few days on Gap Year Thailand"
"The time has just gone too quickly for me.
"Thursday and Friday I took soooooo many photos of the children in lessons, around school, playing, and with me teaching them. My last lessons were spent singing, playing games, and generally getting the kids to recall everything I'd taught them since arriving. Starting to teach feels a lifetime ago. I have an attachment to every class I teach be it for their skill, characters or just such enthusiasm! Saying goodbye was a lot harder than I had anticipated.
As this weekend was the last with my Thai family they decided to take me to stay in a Thai style resort up in Nakon Nayokk - yet another province of Thailand but further East than I had visited before. I was amazed at how different it was to all the others, much flatter and drier but with so so so many Thai fruits growing. I am newly a big big fan of pomelos which are sort of like huge oranges. I'm going to miss the fruit so much when back in England. Sunday we travelled back home and in the evening I made gaeng fang and blah tord for my Thai family (a curry dish and a fried large fish). I think my cooking is getting rather good now.
Monday I headed into Bangkok. I was rather chuffed at being able to communicate smoothly with several taxi drivers, a waitress and staff on the Skytrain all in Thai! It was also really nice to have a day mooching in the shops.
Tuesday was my birthday and I was careful not to place too much expectation. However I was completely taken aback. The day was amazing! I woke up to a stuffed elephant gift from my Thai parents and a huge selection of fruit to eat before heading to school. At school every teacher made sure they greeted me with a 'Haddy Birrtday'. The party was amazing - I was so surprised and touched at how much effort had gone into it for me. They had cooked all my favourite Thai dishes; blah tord, gai, ahan talir pad pak, dom yum and a mountain of fresh mangoes and pineapples. Kru Nik presented me with a gorgeous hand made lamp with shells from our local beach and Kru Yak gave me a beautiful basket full of rice! I couldn't stop smiling the whole evening. Towards the end of the night people from the local government office arrived and sat for some food before presenting me with a gift from the Rayong government for my efforts in teaching English in their area. It all came as a bit of a shock to me when considering I was not expecting much of a fuss!
Today I have been to school for a lunch session with the teachers. They presented me with a book that all the teachers had written messages of good luck in and they had made little hand-made people crafted from paper and strings and stuck them inside with labels of who is who. It's absolutely lovely.
My main teacher friend Neeang went back to her family home in Buriram for a few days and so it was goodbye for us. I found it very hard saying goodbye to someone who has become the equivalent of an older sister. I had to hold back the tears when it came to a last hug. She has been with me since first arriving and I will miss her incredibly.
I am packing to leave Saturday for Bangkok. It will also mean goodbyes to my Thai mother and father, which I am not looking forward to. They have become like a second family to me and taught me so much whilst here.
The teachers have said I am welcome to come back and visit whenever I want. So have my Thai family. I know I will be returning to Thailand - I have fallen in love with it so much." - Julia Bowler
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