Beyond Teaching in Thailand: A Life Changing Experience

When I made the decision to move to Thailand through the GeoVisions Teach Abroad program, I knew it was inevitable that I was going to be pushed out of my comfort zone, I would be faced with certain challenges and that I would grow in ways I wasn’t entirely sure of. Yet, I gained so much more from this experience than I ever thought I would or even needed.

Moving to Thailand was the best thing I could have done for myself.

You see, when I applied to be apart of this program and move abroad, my goal was to put my passion for education to use by helping expand the minds of a younger generation by teaching them English as an opportunity to better enhance their life, as well as the great possibilities they could acquire from it. I wanted to serve as a resource for my students as someone they could trust, ask questions to and have them know that I genuinely cared about them and their education. Of course, if I was able to impact the life of at least one person along the way then I knew this whole journey would be worth it. However, throughout this process, I learned that all of my students were making a greater impact on my life.

As I fast forward to now where my days in Thailand are quickly coming to an end, I strongly believe that my experience of living abroad has made more of a difference on me and on my life than I quite possibly imagined it would have.

This journey has changed me and I can confidently say I’ve loved who I’ve become because of my time spent teaching in Thailand.

I can’t fully explain the feeling, but when you’re working in a new environment, forming relationships in a new country, experiencing a different culture, learning the basics of a new language and living day in and day out outside your comfort zone, I would think it’s almost impossible to return home as the same person you once were as when you first arrived.  Something inside of you has changed and your mindset has shifted.

Throughout this life-changing experience, I’ve learned that we are the only person standing in our way of accomplishing our dreams.

I’ve recognized that we as humans are capable of so much more than we think we are and when we are pushed beyond what we think we can handle, you surprise yourself. When you look back and see what you’ve accomplished, it’s a beautiful feeling. Whatever it is you want, make a plan, and work until it has become your reality. The time will pass anyway so you might as well be in progress of doing something that you love. Think positive, challenge yourself daily, and believe in yourself. You are capable, so, take the chance and never look back.

Thank you, Thailand and GeoVisions for making this past year the best year of my life!