So, getting back to my first ESL experience from the start. My adaptation was running smoothly as I was given a warm welcome right in the airport by the school head teacher of the English department, a sunshine girl. As we left the airport, the first thing I remember was an intense wave of heat and humidity that poured onto me out of the blue. Never before had I experienced such a climate, but it doesn’t take much to get accustomed to it — no worries, AC, sunscreen and spicy food will make a difference. The school helped me with finding a high standard accommodation with great facilities so that I could feel at ease at any moment. This type of accommodation in Thailand is usually referred to as condominium shorten for condo which has a set of facilities such as reception, cleaning services, study rooms, swimming pools, gyms, conference rooms and what not. It took me some time to start using them while I was adapting to a completely new environment.

Fortunately, there was another teacher from Russia working in the school, so she helped me a lot to adapt and integrate into their school context. I remember the sunlit and bright morning of the first school day. I met my co-teacher from Russia in our condo and we went to school on a crazy high-speed ride on her motorbike.
The landscape around me was changing at a fast pace: big cars, tuk-tuks and swarms, swarms of motorbikes were moving chaotically here and there. Traffic was really hectic, but we managed to make it on time and got to school safely. Later on, I also tried riding a motorbike up to a certain moment when a series of road accidents on the same day confirmed that I’m not a motorbike person. Still, I must pay tribute to those courageous girls that ride their motorbikes to school every single day, be that in Thailand, Vietnam or Malaysia. Girls, you are BRAVE.

My Thai co-teachers and other foreign teachers were there for me from the very first day. Despite the language barrier with some teachers, I always felt their support due to their radiant smiles. In my memories I get back to those days when I observed Thai kids, so lovely and open, upbeat and generous, willing to share some tiny presents with me.

The classroom routine in Thai schools was a bit different from the one in my country. Thais have a special way of showing appreciation and greeting people which is a wai gesture and a slight bow. Apart from that, Thai curriculum taught by foreign teachers is mainly based on communicative activities and games which perfectly coincides with the concept of learning through games. Learning should bring joy.

Bit by bit, I got accustomed to Thai teaching environment as well as the country in general and it taught me a lot. As an ESL teacher abroad, you can expect a versatile self-development and learning through teaching. Through thick and thin, through numerous challenges I faced Thailand taught me a lot.

Thailand taught me kindness. Looking back to my teaching year 2023-2024 I can remember that Thais were very kind and mild to me, they were always ready to give a helping hand despite the language barrier. Thailand taught me to be authentic in the way they care about their cultural heritage.

Thailand taught me the concept of sabai, feeling comfortable at any moment, which means you stick to things that bring you happiness and avoid conflict, all that might break your sabai state of mind.

Thailand taught me to appreciate the beauty (suai) and feel absolutely all right looking young in my early thirties.

Thailand showed me happy kids and adults who love to have fun because it is an integral part of their culture reflected in the concept of sanuk (literally “fun”). It was my pleasure to observe joyful kids dancing in the school yard, laughing and having fun. I wish this upbeat attitude and smiles worked contagiously on kids from my country, I wish I could bridge the gap of happiness at schools in my country.

As the year of my contract passed by, I still look back to bright days spent in Thailand teaching which not only let me discover another culture, but also make new friends and find like-minded language professionals.
Wherever I travel to teach later or discover new cultures, one day I will definitely get back to the Kingdom of smiles...