Greenheart Travel

Category: Greenheart Travel

  • Itching for the challenge of doing something completely different

    Itching for the challenge of doing something completely different

    How many times do you think, “Blah. My routine is just blah.”

    If it’s more often than you’d like, consider doing what Lauren did. She challenged herself to do something completely different and headed to Thailand to teach kindergarteners!  Here’s her story: 

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    My name is Lauren, I am 22 years old and from Houston, Texas. I decided to move to Thailand by the end of 2022.

    I graduated from Texas State University with my bachelor’s degree in business management and a focus in entrepreneurial studies because I had the desire to start a business once a graduated. I had experience with running my own nail tech business throughout college and it went hand-and-hand with my post-grad plans. However, once I graduated and got into the groove of real life, my passion and light for my dream business started to fade. I started to feel very stagnate and everyday became a constant routine. I noticed myself getting really burnt out with everyday tasks and that’s when I first started researching traveling and teaching abroad.

     

    I looked up reviews and videos on YouTube of other people sharing their experience of what it was like living in a completely different country. I became really consumed in watching teachers abroad and getting to know more about their experiences and how different each culture is. I never met anyone I knew personally to do something like this so I knew I would have to do my research and go through an agency to assist me with the process. While doing research I found Thailand and Costa Rica were my top places that I would be interested to teach English and Greenheart Travel happened to offer both. Being that I had already traveled to Costa Rica before, I figured I should go somewhere completely new and halfway across the world (lol)! I was itching for the challenge and became really infatuated with the culture and pictures of all the geographics that the country had to offer.

    Now that I have finally made it here, I can say that I’ve truly loved every moment.  I teach Kindergarten in Bangkok and absolutely find so much fulfillment in brightening up my student’s day. I find myself being in such a better space than I was at home and I learn something new every day. My whole experience through Greenheart Travel and XploreAsia exceeded my expectations, and I am truly grateful for that!

    ***

    Thank you Lauren for taking the leap with Greenheart Travel!  

    If you are ready to travel for a change, check out all the Teach Abroad and Work Abroad programs that Greenheart Travel offers. The world awaits!

  • “You’re moving to Thailand? By yourself? Why?”

    “You’re moving to Thailand? By yourself? Why?”

    Sometimes it’s a New Year’s resolution that propels us to do something different. Sometimes something in our lives shakes us and moves us out of our comfort zone.  Whatever it is, Greenheart Travel believes in the power of travel as a way to change your perspective and invigorate your life.  Here’s Heather, telling us about her decision to go Teach in Thailand with Greenheart Travel: 

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    It’s something I heard a lot when I told people that my plan was to move here – and I understand why. To uproot my whole life, leave my 9-5, my best friends and family, in pursuit of something new – it’s daunting to say the least.

    My life at home was comfortable, but I couldn’t help but feel that comfortable wasn’t what I was striving for. I wanted to be challenged and I wanted to experience things that were new, exciting, scary even. I wanted adventure, to see new things and learn about the world and about myself. Now I experience all of those things in every single day. I’m less than three months into my time in Thailand, but I’m already making a life for myself here.

    I work at an amazing school and it’s fair to say that I’m being taught just as much as I am teaching. In a world that is constantly divided by race, religion and politics, what better time to move across the world and start learning from people who are different from me. At home, I’m part of the majority and now I get the chance to feel what it’s like to be in the minority, to not speak the language or understand what’s going on. It can feel a little intimidating, but it’s privilege and a learning experience that I hope will make me more empathetic towards others who might feel like outsiders.

     

    Moving to abroad is scary but so worth it. Take it from the girl who cried on her layover flight on the way to Bangkok – moving here is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You’ll only ever regret the things that you don’t do – take the leap.

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    Thanks Heather for taking the leap with Greenheart Travel!  Want to travel for a change?  Check out our Teach Abroad, Work Abroad, and Teach in a Homestay programs!  

  • “It was Now or Never!” Choosing to Teach in South Korea with Greenheart Travel

    “It was Now or Never!” Choosing to Teach in South Korea with Greenheart Travel

    People choose to travel for a thousand different reasons. And choosing to live abroad for a non-touristy amount of time takes a special kind of consideration. Here’s a post from Michael who tells us how he decided to make a big move this past year and go Teach in South Korea.

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    My name is Michael, I am from Tampa, Florida in the United States. Before making this big move in my life, I worked as a school counselor for four years back home in Tampa. Before that, while in grad school, I worked as a substitute teacher for three years. The reason I wanted to do this was, simply put, it was now or never. I will never have a more perfect time in my life to do this, and if I didn’t, I never would and would more than likely regret it much longer than the year I am here. Thankfully, that is not the case, I went through with it and have already done countless memorable things, as I’m sure you will soon see!

    The reason I went with Greenheart Travel was knowing I would have a team to back me up the entire way. Knowing I could always turn to someone in case of anything truly gave me peace of mind; I really did not want to go at this alone. I was recommended to your company through a friend who used your services multiple times and swears by your work. Knowing that I would get to meet a number of like-minded people during my class, in addition to all the help I would receive while in the country was more than enough to make the investment; I am so glad I did.

    When people asked me, and boy did they ask me this a lot, why South Korea, I genuinely did not have a solid or consistent answer to it. Honestly, I knew I wanted to try Asia because it’s vastly different from my home country. As to why Korea, I suppose it was due to it being the country I was most familiar with, out of a continent of countries I wasn’t the least bit familiar with. At best, my experience with the country was of Barbeque, a handful of K-Pop songs, and that their alphabet was easy to learn. After familiarizing myself with the nation, I went all in on Korea.


    The reason I wanted to travel abroad was to test myself, personally and professionally. I knew I could make it as an educator back home in the States, however, adding this new journey to my resume would give me a wealth of knowledge and experience I would never be able to gain had I not made this gamble.

    In life, when the stars all align, you have to go for it. This was my reasoning for making a bold change in my life, to travel half-way across the world, to live and work somewhere completely foreign for a year. As some might say, I was free of life’s anchors: I was leaving the school I was working at back home, the lease on my car was due at the end of the school year, I had no partner, and my living situation was free of commitment. Essentially, the choice came down to, keep living this nice, albeit normal, life, or do something adventurous and strike while the iron is hot. If you’re reading this, you know the answer to this question.

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    Thanks Michael for sharing your experiences so far!  Want to do something like this?  Greenheart Travel has programs all over the world for you to Teach Abroad or Work Abroad.

    Travel for a Change!

  • Teach Abroad in Thailand – Teacher Meetup in Bangkok

    Teach Abroad in Thailand – Teacher Meetup in Bangkok

    On November 26th, 2022, our partner in Thailand organized a teacher meetup in Bangkok. The goal of the meetup was to connect teachers from different starting dates and create opportunities for new friendships and share experiences. Here’s a little bit about the day:

    The meetup was attended by 39 teachers at Bang Kachao, known as the Green Lungs of Bangkok. The day started with a bike ride to explore Bang Nam Phueng Market. Then we went to The Ozone Bang Kachao Cafe to do a Scavenger Hunt. The cafe is decorated in a garden style with many trees, palm-leaf pavilions, and a small pond. It was so serene. Teachers were separated into two teams for the scavenger hunt. The competition was heated and the teachers had a blast, mentioning that they had never done something like this before and had so much fun!

     

     

    The dinner was an authentic and delicious Thai feast at Pob Rak Bang Nam Phueng. The restaurant is located along the majestic Chao Phraya River, where we could see the beautiful sunset, mangrove plants, and the city lights from other side of the river.


    Many new friendships were made and existing bonds strengthened.     During and following the dinner, The teachers had a chance to share their experiences of teaching in Thailand to the group and also play some fun games for prizes. Teachers received a polaroid of themselves as a give away.

    Thank XploreAsia for sharing this meet-up of Greenheart Teachers!  If you are interested in going to Thailand to Teach English, please visit our website to learn more and apply.  

    Greenheart has many Teach Abroad and Work Abroad opportunities for the adventurous travelers looking for a change of place! 

  • Day in the Life of a Teacher Abroad in Thailand

    Day in the Life of a Teacher Abroad in Thailand

    One of the things we are asked the most is:  What will my day-to-day be like when I teach abroad?  Well, here is Lucy-Louise to give us a glimpse into her life as a Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad in Thailand traveler…

    I arrived in Thailand with a somewhat naïve vision of the experience I was about to have. Teaching in Thailand has lived up to and surpassed my expectations. Here is a brief glance at daily life as a teacher in Bangkok.

    The day starts early as it does at most schools across Thailand, at 7:30am, which makes living close to school invaluable! Your first job of the day is usually gate duty where you greet students and parents and welcome the students into school. This is a great opportunity to get to know your student’s family. Throughout the day, most of my time is spent in the classroom, but if I am not teaching, I spend time with the other English teachers, lesson planning, marking and preparing resources. The day is also made up of regular trips to 7/11 for much needed coffee!

    After school, around 4pm, can be made up of a range of activities; in Bangkok most accommodation has a gym or a pool, which is one way to relax. Or evenings can be spent meeting people and exploring the local area. Next to my condo is a small local market where I go with my teacher friends to eat dinner. Living in Bangkok means running out of ways to spend the evening or socialise is unlikely! For example, heading into central Bangkok for food or drinks is also a regular for any Bangkok teacher.

    The weekends and long weekends are unsurprisingly the best opportunities to travel and see other parts of Thailand. Living in Bangkok is great because it’s so convenient for travel, for example Chaing Mai is only an hour away and so are a number of national parks!

    Overall, daily life as a teacher in Bangkok (and Thailand) is exciting, it’s full of opportunities to meet people, explore new areas, work, learn and socialise.

    Thanks for sharing Lucy-Louise! 

    Learn more about all Greenheart Travel’s Teach Abroad programs here and Travel for a Change!

  • A First Time Traveler’s Impression of Japan and Greenheart’s Teen Language Camp

    A First Time Traveler’s Impression of Japan and Greenheart’s Teen Language Camp

    Every year, Greenheart Travel offers scholarships for First Time Travelers.  Our goal is for more people to experience the joys of travel and the importance of cultural exchange.  Here’s one of our First Time Travel Scholarship winners here to tell us about her adventures at Greenheart’s Teen Language Camp in Japan….  Take it away, Kai!

    Without Any Expectations

    I’m grateful to have experienced Japan in the way that I did: without any expectations. I truly believe that it’s the best way to go about many things in life. Before I left for Japan, a lot of my friends and family members asked me, “What do you think it will be like?” It was a question I wasn’t able to formulate a response to because I truly had no idea. I don’t think I was wrong to have gone about thinking, or rather not thinking, this way because, as a result, the environment I was in and the people I surrounded myself with never ceased to amaze me.

    My Host Family

    In the course of a month, I found that saying goodbye to my host family was my most difficult experience in Japan. Many people find it difficlt to adjust to new house rules, but with the assistance of our mobile translators and general interest in each other’s lives, my transition into my new home life was smooth and enjoyable. I found living with them, for the short time I did, to be very peaceful.

    Langauge and Cultural Journey

    My main purpose in having gone to Japan was to begin my language learning journey, and prepare me for college. I’m not completely sure what I want to study in college or do beyond that, but when asked, I tend to answer that I will study linguistics. The amount of Japanese I knew before arriving in Japan was close to none, but I think it only encouraged me to practice more after I arrived there. With the hours each week I spent studying at school along with my exposure out in the world, I felt like I had improved a lot in a very short time. To be quite frank, I had minimal insight as to what Japanese culture was like prior to going. But, beginning to learn the language only encouraged me to also want to delve into learning more about the culture and historical aspects of Japanese life. I guess they’re right when they say that when it rains it pours. I found myself never having days off because I was constantly out learning something new.

    My school was very encouraging of this newfound interest, and offered a multitude of activities that introduced other students and me to the rich culture that Japan has to offer. Many of our lessons focused on the localized history of Fukuoka; however, my classmates and I also visited contemporary exhibits (think: Studio Ghibli and Hello Kitty) along with historical museums showcasing Fukuoka’s history and most interesting artifacts. On our many field trips, we also visited well-known temples like Shoufukuji Temple and practiced zazen with the charismatic and helpful guidance of a monk.

    Working through Weather and Transportation Challenges

    If I had to choose one thing I disliked about Japan, it would have to be the weather. Hot summer days are to be expected wherever you go, but humidity has never been something I’ve been accustomed to. My host mother pointed out that I had a daily habit of cursing the weather when I came home everyday. Even though I walk most places in the US, the added humidity definitely increased my endurance. Maybe the weather wasn’t such a bad thing, after all? Regardless of its benefits, the weather remained my worst enemy while I explored Fukuoka.

    Fukuoka had a lot of sights to offer, and I found myself endlessly asking questions regarding direction and location while exploring. It’s very easy to make mistakes and get lost while abroad, and I quickly learned that the best investment you can provide for yourself is pocket WIFI. Many of my classmates went about this beforehand, and had little issues navigating their way around the city because they had a GPS on hand. I, unfortunately, did not. On my very first day of school, my host mother walked me to the train station and showed me which line to take to get to Hakata Station. I was on my own with only a station name and a general map of where my school was. After I arrived at Hakata Station, I began my disastrous trek to school by approaching a security officer for directions. When I asked him which direction I should head based on my map, he confidently told me to go west, so off I went.

    For the next hour, I found myself wandering deeper into the city and being unable to read most of the street signs. It took everything in me not to freak out when I came to the realization that I was completely and utterly lost. However, with the help of a hotel worker, she pointed me in the right direction. It turns out I was supposed to leave Hakata from the east exit! The relief I felt when I arrived at school and was immediately welcomed by concerned teachers was overwhelming. For those of who are not well versed in the language of their respective language– and even for those who are– do yourself a favor and invest in a handy pocket WIFI tool or an international SIM card. It will save you a lot of trouble.

    Overwhelmingly Positive Experience

    My interactions with the residents of Fukuoka were overwhelmingly positive, and people were quite accommodating towards me even after misunderstandings. I became close with a couple local students my age, and talking with them expedited my language learning. My host family was very welcoming, and despite initially not knowing their language, we became good at talking by mixing bits of Japanese and English together. One thing, among many, that I was grateful for, were my host parents’ children. Their presence made my transition into a new lifestyle a million times more comfortable. Although they’re quite young, they were very intelligent and quickly realized that I couldn’t fully speak Japanese. This wasn’t a problem, and we communicated mostly through body language and signals to get ideas across. I loved them a lot, and enjoyed being able to both teach them a bit of English and learn from them.

    When I came back, my friends and family asked me a similar question as the one prior to my trip, “Was Japan how you thought it would be?” I was again at a loss for how to answer, because I never wanted to place expectations on a place I’ve never experienced. However, now I can say with certainty that I had a lot of fun learning new things while I was there, and hope that everyone with an open mind gets a chance to travel abroad and experience it for themselves.

     

    Thank you Kai for sharing your experience at the Teen Summer Langauge Camp in Japan!  Readers can learn more about all Greenheart Travel’s Teen Language Programs on our website.  In addition, follow us on social media for updates on when the First Time Traveler scholarship window opens again.

  • Teaching Abroad Orientation Week in South Korea

    Teaching Abroad Orientation Week in South Korea

    One of the most frequently asked questions Greenheart Travel gets about our programs is…What is day-to-day life like on the program? Well, here’s a full rundown from our partners about the South Korea In-Class TESOL Course’s July 2022 Orientation Week!

     

    “I hope you are doing well and you have been having a lovely week! It has been a very busy one here in Korea, as we have welcomed our first in-class TESOL group in over 2 years to our headquarters in Incheon, South Korea.”

     

    Sunday – Welcome Meeting

    After their personal airport pick-ups, we met with the teachers on Sunday and headed over to the school for a short meeting to brief them on the program, give them a bunch of information as well as go over orientation week and the plan of the weeks to come.

     

    Monday – Korean food, Lunch, and Welcome Dinner – Korean BBQ

    We started off the first day with an introduction presentation, followed by a detailed presentation on Korean food. We then headed to a traditional Korean restaurant for lunch where we got to try bibimbap, Korean iced noodles, and beef rib soup. We then headed back to have a chat with the placement team, get our sim cards set up and then we headed to a Korean BBQ restaurant to try some famous Korean grilled meat! A great time was had and everyone took the chance to bond and get to know one another a little better!

    Tuesday – Korean Language, Culture and a guided tour of the Korean War Memorial

    We started off day 2 with our first of 3 Korean language lessons. These are split up into beginner classes, and a slightly more advanced class for those whose level is a little higher. We then had a presentation on Korean culture, as well as cultural “do’s and don’ts”.

    Wednesday – Korean Language, Banking, Korean Cooking, and Workshopping Culture Shock

    Once again we started the day with our Korean language class. We then had a visit from a local bank to help us get set up with bank accounts, debit cards with public transport functionality, direct remittance accounts, and our online mobile banking. This was followed by the fun Korean cooking class, hosted by the one and only Chef Hero! We headed home with full stomachs and a little more Korean language skills. We ended the day with a workshop on culture shock and headed home for some rest after a great, fun-filled day.

    Thursday – Korean Language, Presentation on “Diversity in the Local Context” Korea and Taekwondo!

    We started the day with our final Korean lesson of the week. Great fun was had by all, and everyone was keen to try out their newly learnt skills! We then had an important presentation on “Diversity in the Local Context”, helping teachers to adapt to one of the most homogeneous countries in the world. After lunch we jumped on a bus and headed off to Taekwondo with Master Choi. It was great fun and a wonderful way to blow off some steam and get some exercise, before heading back home for the evening.

    Friday – Full Excursion Day

    Our final day, and the highlight of orientation week, is our excursion day where we travel to Seoul, and immerse ourselves in the history and culture, and get to explore this awesome city. We started off by watching the changing of the guard ceremony at the grand palace, after which we headed off to a Hanbok cafe to get dressed up in traditional Korean clothing. We then headed back to the palace for a guided tour, lead by our expert tour guide for the day, Edward. It was a scorcher of a day, so after this we headed to Insadong walking and shopping street, and stopped off at a traditional Korean tea cafe for some refreshments. The last stop for the day was a tour of Bukchon Hanok Villiage, which is a famous spot from Korean dramas, and is over 600 years old! A few teachers also went to Gwangjang Traditional Food Market after the day had ended.

    All in all, a great first week in South Korea!

    If you are interested in Teaching Abroad in South Korea, or any of our other awesome locations, please visit GreenheartTravel.org.  We’re sure there’s a  program perfect for you!

  • A Special Prom Español

    A Special Prom Español

    We are often asked by High School students who are considering a semester or two abroad, “How hard is it to go to school far away from your friends? What will I miss back home? Will I be homesick? Will I make friends?”

    Vismaya attended High School Abroad in Spain and has shared a few stories with us about her time there. This one is about homesickness, proms, birthdays, and making good friends when you are far from home.

    The Distance from Home

    Nothing could ever equal the excitingness of spending a semester in Spain, and I certainly never felt as though this opportunity was detracting from any other. As I engulfed myself further into the Spanish world, it only made the distance grow larger with life back home. Every so often, as I checked to see what was happening back home, I would see pictures and Instagram stories that made me wish I were back in California (even if it was just for a second). My friend in Spain saw me looking at some Prom posts sometime in late March, and I remember a group of girls huddled around me to marvel at the grandeur of the dresses. They told me that they had all seen so many Proms in many American movies, but they had never experienced something like that (although they all really wanted to!).

    As the occasional pangs of homesickness hit me, I would tell my classmate Lucia. It so happened that in one of these conversations, she learnt my birthday was coming up in a month (it was my first birthday away from my parents!). And my friends’ Prom back home was the very week of my birthday! I’m not sure how things progressed so quickly, but the two were put together and soon enough, there was a group chat for “Prom Night/Cumple de Vis” (cumple is “birthday” in Spanish). The whole class was added to the group chat, and they kept me off it (as a surprise, of course). Lucia and Elena (two of my closest friends in Spain) took care of all the RSVPs and the guest list.

    A Special Prom Español

    We decided to make it a Prom Español. Everyone agreed the dress code would be formal, and the weeks leading up to the event, many of my girlfriends would send me pictures of dresses asking me if the attire was okay for such a party. The day of the party, a few of my friends and I gathered at the locale to blow up balloons and build a huge Prom balloon banner decked in gold, silver, and black balloons. There was also a huge cumpleaños sign with the number 17 on it (for my 17th birthday). One of my other friends and I took the bus to a local market and stocked up on all the food for the event!

    I was surprised by the turnout. We were unable to get a group picture of every single person who arrived, but there were many individual pictures. Here are some of the many pictures I took with some of the sweetest classmates I’ve ever had. They even secretly bought me some very cool firecracker candles. Everyone loudly sang me Cumpleaños Feliz as I cut the cake with some of the coolest firecracker candles I’ve ever seen. The sweetest part was the gift I received.

    Gifting a Memory

    I came to Spain wearing a necklace gifted to me before I left. My classmates here know how much I appreciate jewelry given with the intention of keeping associated with the person/people who gifted it to me. As friendship dynamics have shifted over time, I’ve found myself growing apart from most of my friends back home. Although there are those who have continued talking to me and we are maintaining our friendship, there have been a few fall-outs.

    When my Spanish classmates heard about this, they decided to gift me a necklace. This necklace is so special to me because it not only has my name engraved on one side, but it also has an engraving of the day I joined my class (1 Bachillerato C) which is written like the way they write the date here (February 4, 2022 is written as 4-2-2022). I remember Lucia telling me that now I have a special jewelry piece that serves as such a beautiful memory of my birthday and my time here, but also replaces the necklace I used to wear. In addition to the necklace, my classmates wrote me a really beautiful card, and the whole class signed it.

    Here is what the card said…as translated into English:

    To Vismaya from all your friends in Spain.

    We hope that you have liked your birthday in Spain. This is a memory you can take with you, of all of us, and you will always have us for anything you want/need. To us, our time with you has been precious, and we hope you take with you many special memories and people to remember. For us, this experience has been so unique, and you are such an unforgettable person for us who we can appreciate and from whom we can learn. We hope you remember us fondly and that we have made this period of your life beautiful. A memory of the class — we will never forget you.

    – 1° Bachillerato C

    Feeling Thankful

    I cannot believe how lucky I got when it came to being a foreign exchange student, and I cannot believe how quickly the weeks have flown by with these people. I think about how I have only 6-7 more weeks in the classroom with them, and then it will end. It wasn’t that long ago when my teacher Juan first introduced me and told the class to take care of me. And they couldn’t have done a better job. I am going to miss the family we have built so much.

    I am so thankful for all the memories. I entered my 17th birthday party in a dull mood because of the distance I had between me and my friends and family back home. The distance changed dynamics and I missed receiving messages from some people back home. But by the time I left this party, my heart was full. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this experience I’ll never forget.

    To my parents back home, thank you for letting me have the night of my dreams as a new 17 year old. And to my parents here in Spain, thank you for being cool when you crashed the party 🙂

     

    If you are interested in attending a High School semester somewhere abroad in January 2023…hurry, applications will be closing soon. Of course, there’s always full year programs starting in Fall 2023!

  • What to expect during your first month Teaching Abroad

    What to expect during your first month Teaching Abroad

    Greenheart Travel recently heard from Lucy-Louise, a teacher abroad in Thailand. She writes with some good advice for what to expect during your first few weeks in a new country teaching English.  

    What to Expect during your First Month Teaching Abroad

    After weeks, months, or even years planning your Teach Abroad trip, most of us English as a Second Language teachers will go to our host countries with various expectations. Whether that’s the progress your students will make under your tutelage, the friends you will make whilst away, the language you will learn, or the trips you will go on while you are away! Regardless of what your expectations are, your time as a teacher abroad will be much more than you anticipated.

    Greenheart Travel Teach abroad day in the life
    Greenheart Travel Teach abroad “day in the life”

    With that in mind, here are four things that you may not have considered but should expect from those memorable first four weeks:

    1. You will have adjustments to make! Starting a new job, moving to a new place, and being immersed in an entirely new culture are exciting novelties. But they do not come without a few challenges. However, don’t let this put you off!  Make some adjustments and the rewards will make the challenges all the more worthwhile. One of the most immediate of these challenges is, of course, the language barrier, but others may be the hours you’ll be working (most teachers start around 7:30 a.m.!), or adjusting your lesson plans to fit your students’ abilities. To overcome these challenges, be patient, come prepared, and be willing to adapt. By the end of your first four weeks, these challenges will seem like vague worries whilst the accomplishments you’ve made will give you new confidence to tackle each day.
    2. There will be a bond with your students. When you first start teaching, your students are strangers to you and you to them. In my first week I struggled with names and wondered how I would ever get to know my very young students (who were only three years old!) if I couldn’t understand them. However, when you see your students everyday you build a strong connection to them, you do come to know each student individually, and learn how to communicate with them. I recommend trying to spend a little bit of one-on-one time with each student if you can!
    3. Appreciate a new normal AND your unique experience. After a month, things will start to feel normal. You’ll have your morning coffee spot, you’ll know which classrooms you’re meant to be in, and you’ll know how much time you’ve got after work to meet friends. Whilst the feeling of normality is a great sign that you’re comfortable and thriving, try not to let a mundane attitude stop you from recognising how unique and privileged what you’re doing is!
    4. You will pick up the language. It would be misleading to suggest that you will be fluent after only four weeks, however, you will probably pick up a few unusual words! Fairly quickly, I learnt phrases like ‘look’, ‘listen’, ‘this one’, ‘that one’, and ‘sit down’! Capitalise on this and try to learn some basics and practice-practice-practice when you’re out. It’s very rewarding, builds confidence, and the more you learn the more you’ll understand the culture.

    After your first four weeks, you will have overcome a range of challenges, made some unforgettable memories, and made new friends and connections that will shape your experience aboard. Enjoy and embrace it all!

    Lucy-Louise in a boat in Thailand

    Thanks Lucy-Louise for sharing your advice for Teaching Abroad!  

    Does anyone have suggestions for new teachers abroad?  Drop us a note if so. We’d love to hear from you.

    If you’re interested in Teaching Abroad, visit our website. We have awesome destinations still open for 2022 start dates.  It’s time to travel for a change!

  • The First Day in High School Abroad – by Vismaya in Spain

    The First Day in High School Abroad – by Vismaya in Spain

    Greenheart Travel loves to hear from our travelers. Recently, Vismaya returned from a High School Abroad semester in Spain and volunteered to share her experiences with us.

    Vismaya, who lives in California, decided to study a semester in Spain because she wanted to learn more Spanish and immerse herself in the culture. She arrived in Badajoz, met her host family, and started school the very next day—still jet lagged. Her little host sisters, Catalina and Carmen, were very excited to welcome their big sister into town, and they captured a couple of polaroid shots right before school started. Through the day, Vismaya recorded her observations and feelings about being the new exchange student in her local high school–the culture shock, the nerves, the tiredness, the language challenges, and the excitement and newness of it all. 

    Starting My First Day of High School in Badajoz

    Yesterday was my first day of school here in Spain, and the experience as a whole was both nerve-wrecking and wholesome all at once. My day started rather early, as I could barely sleep due to the jet lag — I’m living 9 hours away from home! One of my kind neighbors showed up exactly at 8 a.m. to walk me to school. School days in Spain are typically shorter; for the Bachillerato years (11th and 12th grade in the US), school starts at 8:20 a.m. and goes till 2:20 p.m. (only 6 hours).

    At school, I met the director, and he took me to my class to meet my tutor. A tutor in Spain is a class counselor who helps handle student problems, gives advice, and fosters class bonding. My tutor happened to be my English teacher, Juan, who also proved to be a very helpful translator for me around the school. After a brief campus tour, he took me to class to meet my classmates.

    First Impressions

    Oddly enough, I didn’t feel shy entering the classroom, but I certainly was intimidated. My English teacher told me to introduce myself to the class, and fortunately, I was able to do so in English because it was their English period. I remember I didn’t say much but the class applauded loudly when I finished; they were all fascinated by my American accent. The teacher then asked each of them to introduce themselves to me in very slow Spanish; he stressed the severity of the accent in Extremadura (people speak very fast and often swallow the letters at the end of the word). The students went around the classroom one-by-one introducing themselves, although we only got halfway through the class by the time the bell rang. Class ended with Juan telling the class to take care of me, to which the class enthusiastically responded. I remember being pleasantly surprised by the bond of the classmates in the Spanish classroom and feeling safe when I heard Juan say, “Teneis que cuidarla, ¿vale?” (“You have to take care of her, okay?”). As soon as English ended, the class crowded around my desk trying to ask me questions and introduce themselves. Most of them simply observed me, as the language barrier was rather evident. They managed to communicate with me in simple English and even asked for my phone number to add me to a group chat for things related to school.

    In the Spanish bachillerato program, students have three classes in the morning following by a recreo. The recreo is like the recess period of school. Bachillerato students are allowed to venture outside campus and my friends decided to take me out to a candy store. They asked me questions during the break, like the music I listened to, and we discovered that we had a lot in common–listening to many of the same artists. Walking back to school took more time than expected, as so many people tried to speak to me in English. We barely made it back by the time the bell rang.

    uniforms in spain high school abroad
    My friends were impressed by the iPhone camera that I had because most students here have Android phones. This is the only picture they took during the school day (and it was during the recreo) because taking photos in schools in prohibited in Spain by law. 

    Getting Through Day One

    Philosophy followed el recreo and that was when I experienced my first wave of culture shock. Until philosophy, everyone tried to speak to me slowly and say things in English. I remember feeling so lost as they reviewed the assignments. They read so fast! I vividly remember a moment when one of my classmates read out her correct answers and the whole class applauded her. Being caught up in translating the last of her words in my head (her rate of speech was too fast for me), I forgot to applaud and the teacher gestured me to clap anyway to show my support; I remember some of my classmates laughing and sympathizing because they saw I did not understand anything but I applauded anyway.

    The initial excitement of the day had passed and I was feeling more confused and jet lagged for my last two classes. The biology teacher introduced himself, telling me that he was just as embarrassed to speak in English as I was to speak in Spanish. Biology was a group project and a couple of my classmates invited me into their group. The final class was Spanish literature, and again, I found myself feeling lost. The class was reading Don Quijote in its original form and they were learning the historical context and studying the complexity of the characters. I was extremely sleepy, but the next thing I knew, the bell rang.

    I left school that first day not knowing how to feel. People had been so friendly yet, I felt so lost in my new world. The intensity of subjects combined with the heavy accent in Extremadura made comprehension more difficult. I was nervous to go back to class! But I knew this stage would pass—and it did! Everyone was so much more helpful than I could have ever imagined, and I will always be grateful.

    High School Abroad Spain
    Vismaya’s first day at a High School in Spain.

     

    Thank you Vismaya for sharing your story!  You can find Vismaya’s blog here. Check back soon for another of her stories about her time in Spain.

    Learn more about this Greenheart Travel High School Abroad in Spain program.

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