Teach English Abroad Blog

Got on the bus going the wrong way at 3:13am How to avoid making this mistake: check which way the bus is going Went on to miss the connecting bus... keep reading

Hi! I’m Emily, and I just moved to Madrid last week to teach English as an auxiliar de conversación for the year. I joined CIEE to do the Teach In... keep reading

So much has happened since my last blog, and I can’t wait to catch you up! I applied for my visa at the BLS office in Chicago, and after eight... keep reading

What an incredible, busy, overwhelming, fascinating, exciting, taxing, and wonderful week it has been. After just six days of being in Spain, I feel like I already have so much... keep reading

Travel, especially female solo travel, can be intimidating, but you don’t want to miss out on opportunities just because you don’t have someone to travel with. So, I have some... keep reading

Before I moved to Madrid, I read what felt like EVERY single blog on what to pack. Upon reflection, I wound up packing for an extended vacation and not for... keep reading

Looking back at my time so far in Ireland, it’s hard to believe how much I have been lucky enough to experience already. Throughout the chaos of starting my teaching... keep reading

Hi everyone! My name is Erin Hoffman, and I’m moving to Spain in five days to teach English in Madrid through CIEE. This first post is just a little bit... keep reading

CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL Alum Spotlight: Meet Meghan! I have totally become the annoying friend that won’t stop talking about their time abroad. In my defense, it was one... keep reading

What makes a country more than just a place on a map or on a TikTok post? In Volume 2, a group of thoughtful Thai students — Chanisa Kumnerdruang, Amarnkarn Yenwatthana, Wachiravit Kobsantie, Gam, Sarunporn Saen-gundee, Pimchanok Jampathong, Thiraphat Huaisai, Chotiua Pilahom, and Sukollawat Inkham — boldly push back against tired stereotypes. With clarity and heart, they shine a light on the Thailand that is often overlooked: one of modern cities, strong values, mutual respect, family, gratitude, and inner peace. They challenge foreign misrepresentations, reminding us that true understanding comes not from filtered images and social media influencers, but from listening to the real voices of proud students and citizens.

What do you want the world to know about Thailand? Volume 1 offers a moving portrait of Thailand through the voices of eight Thai high school students: Panyawee R., Nattakorn Auykhiphan, Noey, Benyapa Polyiam, Chalisa Rodto, Doungkamon Chimtabtim, Chanidapa Charoen, and Napapron Attapan. Together, they reveal a Thailand deeply rooted in compassion, spirituality, artistic expression, and pride in tradition. From the open-hearted acceptance of LGBTQ+ people to the reverence for karma. These young voices speak of a nation that values harmony, family, humility, and cultural richness. Their stories remind us that to know Thailand, one must look beyond instagram and into the hearts of its people.

Hi there! I’m Ellie, and I’m from Rochester, New York. For the past month, I’ve been living in Dublin and teaching as part of the Teach in Ireland program with... keep reading

A CIEE alumni of the Teach in Korea and Teach in Thailand programs recounts her experience and shares advice for future participants.

What REALLY Happens at Orientation Week in Thailand: My CIEE Experience From jet lag and jungle curry to temples and teaching prep—orientation week in Bangkok is a wild ride of nerves, excitement, and unforgettable firsts. If you’re about to teach abroad with CIEE or OEG and wondering what those first few days in Thailand actually feel like… this is your sneak peek. I’ll walk you through each day of the June 2025 orientation—what we did, what I wish I knew, and why this week shaped everything that followed. Let’s rewind to the moment I landed in Bangkok, backpack in hand, heart racing. Here’s how it all unfolded.

¡Hola! My name is Richie and I just finished my second year as an auxiliar de conversación in Madrid, Spain. After I graduated college, I moved home without a clue... keep reading