The following was provided by staff, former students and current teachers of XploreAsia. We asked them what their best tips were for those unfamiliar with teaching and living in Thailand. Here’s what they had to say:
1. “Wear your helmet.”
2. “Any time you encounter an experience that is unfamiliar or uncomfortable, square up and dive in, because no matter what happens, you will be proud to look back later knowing you faced your fear instead of running away.”
3. “Go with the flow and say yes to new things.”
4. “Never trust a fart in Thailand.”
5. “Be grateful for the opportunity that you have to experience the best place on earth with the best people in the best locations doing an enjoyable job and living well and travelling. Not to mention learning a new culture and language. Thailand will grow you if you let it!”
6. “Develop thick skin and learn to not take anything personally.”
7. “Keep it fun and light!”
8. “This is not your country so don’t expect things to be done they way they are done back home, or your way, accept that and deal with it.”
9. “Wing it when you have to.”
10. “The better prepared you are the better your lessons are.”
11. “Always have new tricks up your sleeve and don’t be a predictable”
12. “Learn how to have a convo with an 8 year old.”
13. “Integrate yourself in the local community and school as quickly as you can.”
14. “The more you get involved with activities at your school and with the locals, the more likely it is that the teachers will accept and respect you.”
15. “Have a plan, expect it to fail, and when it does, stay calm.”
16. “Embrace the bum gun.”
17. “Every day is an adventure, don’t fight it.”
18. “Embarrass yourself.”
19. “Be patient. In the long run you can solve anything.”
20. “Expect the unexpected.”
21. “Make a conscious decision to be happy.”
22. “Learn and practice the concepts of sabai sabai, and mai pen rai.”
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