As I boarded my flight to Phnom Penh from Heathrow, I caught myself looking down the aisles of seats in the plane. Will there be anyone here I know? Do I recognise anyone from the Facebook group? Could I actually end up being sat next to someone else who was going on the same internship as me? These questions surrounded me as I tucked myself into my seat to prepare for the 14-hour stretch to Phnom...[Read More]
If you’ve decided to teach in Vietnam through i-to-i’s internship, an exciting five months lie ahead! Taking the plunge to move to Asia also means settling into a different and wonderful culture. Although plenty of support awaits you upon arrival, there are certain things I wish I’d known before boarding that flight to make the transition easier. 1. How much should I pack? Let’s start with the age...[Read More]
Here at i-to-i, we believe there’s nothing more important than looking after this place we all call home – and the best way to do your bit is to make small changes in your daily routine. Travelling, unfortunately, can be one of the biggest culprits when it comes to single-use plastics. So, if you’re up for reducing your carbon footprint and helping to save the world in your own little way, check o...[Read More]
Making the decision to teach abroad is a big one, and that’s why teaching internships are the perfect way to give TEFL a try, build up your experience and meet tons of new friends in the process. If you’ve decided to dip your toe in the TEFL pool and go for an internship, here’s our handy guide for packing smart – feel free to save it and check things off as you go! N.B. Remember, this list will d...[Read More]
With a population of over 1.4 billion (as of 2019), China’s the most populous country in the world. And with such a high number of inhabitants, there’s a very high demand for English teachers all across the country. So, if you decide to TEFL in China, you’re almost guaranteed a role! Even more appealing for TEFL teachers are the good salaries on offer, combined with a low cost of living. In China...[Read More]
From Italy to Indonesia, the TEFL world keeps on turning all year round. Demand for teachers is consistently high and new TEFLers are graduating every day. There are plenty of jobs to go around but if you want to give yourself the best chance of bagging the job of your dreams, you’ll need to bear in mind the key hiring seasons for your TEFL destination of choice. These generally differ from contin...[Read More]
Arguably, one of the best parts of travelling the world is meeting tons of different people and experiencing amazing cultures. When you’re teaching English abroad, there’s a good chance that you might stay in one place for at least a few months at a time. So, if you’re looking to meet people from all walks of life while immersing yourself in diverse cultures, take your pick from one of these incre...[Read More]
Two weeks ago, I landed in the Phnom Pehn airport tired, disoriented, and very overdressed for the weather. I met the rest of the interns I’d be working with and we were brought to the hotel where we’d be having our orientation. There are only seven interns, so I’m sure we’ll get very close over the next three months. We started things off with a delicious dinner on the rooftop of the hotel, which...[Read More]
While city life is exhilarating, exploring the national parks of northern Vietnam is a great way to wind down from a week’s teaching. Luckily, Hanoi is spoilt for choice when it comes to weekend destinations. Here are two places popular among us interns that offer something for everyone without breaking the bank! Ninh Binh Province Often described as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’, Ninh Binh offers a surre...[Read More]
After two weeks in Cambodia, I look back at my terrified self at Heathrow Airport and I want to tell her it’s all going to work out just fine. Once I had touched down in Phnom Penh and met three other interns, we were whisked away through the chaotic streets of the city centre to the hotel where we met our friendly in country coordinator, Kim. By the time we all gathered for our rooftop dinner tha...[Read More]
You walk into the rowdiest grade one class of the week: instantly, a bundle of seven-year-olds cling to your legs, grapple for high-fives and hand you gifts. As a foreign teacher, you’ve got your students’ attention just by arriving, but keeping it for the next thirty-five minutes can be challenging. Here are some tips to help keep your class involved, and some activities to have up your sleeve! U...[Read More]
My first thought as I left the airport in Phnom Penh was about the heat – so hot! It hits you straight away but luckily, after a few days, you start to get acclimatised (phew!). Then, I scrambled to find my name among all the signs in the arrivals gate. And once I spotted “i-to-i TEFL”, the fun really started. I met some of my fellow interns and we were all shuffled off into a minivan on the way t...[Read More]