Sawadee kap and a warm welcome to my little cosy internet home for the next few months!
I hope to use this blog to share my experiences of life as an English Teaching Assistant in Thailand where I will be working in a school for 8 weeks. If and when I am able to connect to the world wide web I will upload photos and document my journey for the benefits of my memory as well as it being an easy place for my friends and family to keep in the know. Today marks the 1 week countdown until I fly.. It has come around so quickly since I accepted my place! There are around 200+ students from around the UK who have been given this incredible opportunity to become an ETA. We will be dispersed around Thailand either in pairs, small groups or solo - minus the 3 (dangerous!) southernmost provinces. As of yet we have not been told which area of Thailand we will be teaching in.. little apprehensive as the placement begins on the 16th of July and I would love to research places nearby..but I have an open mind and will embrace and make the most out of my time out there, wherever I am, whoever I am with. Consider this formal evidence!
I have always, always, always wanted to visit Thailand.. It looks stunning and I've heard nothing but kind, lovely and beautiful words about the place and the people (not to mention the influence from 'The Beach' - who wouldn't want to visit after watching that film!? side note: minus murder/drug scandal/extreme moral issues). Over the past few weeks there have been so many things to organise and it has taken a lot of time as we have had to wait for the information to be slowly, pain-stakingly trickled out to us via e-mail.. bit of a headache for my planning and organisational mindset! However, with a week to go I have just received my special shiny visa in the post and have taken out some Thai Baht, so legally and realistically I am ready to go! Waiting for the thumbs up that my DBS check is all a-okay, hopefully that will come through in the next couple of days, and I am sorted. I know it will all be worth it when I step off that plane.
I think it's fair to say my emotions have been somewhat of the whirlwind variety since this trip has become all-consuming.. But I am, above all else, so SO very excited and truly over the moon about this experience. I have never travelled this far indepedently or for this length of time - with the trip being organised by the British Council, I know we are in safe hands and that the embassy will sort us out if we get into trouble, which is very reassuring for my worrying mind! I never thought I would get such an amazing opportunity, especially not this quickly as I had plans to do the big packpacking travelling after I graduate, so this is my first toe-dip into the big wonderful world of independence, culture and exploration - I cannot wait! The main bulk of important things have been done, so it's now down to the last few bits and pieces I need to pick up and decide about - How many snacks are socially acceptable to carry in hand luggage? Is it too late to book in a fringe trim before I go? Do I really need to succumb to a bum bag? - The big life questions.
Having completed a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) course earlier this year, I feel that I have a little bit of insight to back me up with the teaching, but I'm lacking real, practical experience so I'm excited to see how it works and compare the culture differences within a Thai school. I am armed with a mini, pink-rimmed whiteboard (probably my favourite purchase), post-it notes, coloured pens, notepads and am planning on making up some flashcards to take with me and if all else fails I have heard "Heads, shoulders, knees and toes" is a firm favourite with the Thai kids. Brilliant!
Unless something incredibly important comes up between now and next week that I need to report on, I think I better leave it there. May send a wee update when I arrive at London Heathrow, but if not then I will check in when I reach the land of smiles..!
See you on the other side!
Frances <3
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