One Month in Thailand: The Stages of Adjustment

It’s been almost a whole month since I went through with the most insane but exciting idea I’ve had yet. I packed up my things, hopped on a plane, and moved to Thailand to teach English.

If you’re planning on taking this massive leap too, here are some things to remember/ways to stay grounded during your first few weeks adjusting to your new home.

Let Yourself Feel the Emotions

I’ve lived abroad before. I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain, during the first semester of my freshman year of college. I was convinced that I’d be completely fine and that moving to the other side of the world wouldn't faze me at all.

I was wrong LOL.

Orientation is amazing. You learn so many things, eat delicious food, see breathtaking cultural sites, and meet so many amazing people. It felt like a dream. Obviously, I knew what I was here for and was so eager to start teaching in my smaller town, but when all your friends go their own ways and you get to your town, reality, homesickness, culture shock, and loneliness will start to sink in.

IT’S OK! This is completely normal!

They warned us that we may feel this way at orientation, but there’s no way to prepare for a feeling. The day after I arrived in my town, I had to start teaching… I had no idea what to teach, no idea if my students would understand me, and I felt that there was absolutely no way that I had the capability to do it. I was extremely stressed and overwhelmed, and immediately thought to myself…

Why did I do this?

The best advice I have for this feeling is to literally…

Remind Yourself Why You Decided to Teach Abroad in Thailand

I had these feelings really intensely for the first few days, but I tried to just remind myself why I was here and how proud of myself I would be when I got over this really difficult time. Thinking about my goals and what I wanted out of this journey really grounded me through the first few days.

Talk to Someone 

Sometimes it helps to just let it all out. Luckily, my coordinator was very supportive and understanding about how I was feeling. I am also lucky to have two amazing parents and great friends back home who were there for me every step of the way. One of the benefits of going through a company like CIEE is that you get amazing support. During the times that my parents were sleeping (12-hour time difference), OEG, CIEE’s partner organization, was extremely helpful and offered great support. If you’re having any issues or doubts… PLEASE reach out to them. They are there to help you, especially during the adjustment period.

I would also advise you to remind yourself that this feeling is temporary. It’s a journey, and this is just the beginning.

Get a Massage!

Thai massages are popular for a reason. You’re going to be exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed. Please make time for yourself! There are literally massage places everywhere, and you’ll feel so relaxed after you get one...It literally cured me after week 1.

Take it One Day at a Time

As amazing as this experience has been so far, it has also been really hard. If you find yourself having doubts or low moments, just remember how courageous it is to move abroad, especially across the world. This is a huge change in your life, and you must give yourself grace during the adjustment period. One thing that helped me was taking it one day at a time, and eventually that day became a week. Now, I've been here almost a month, and I have come so far from where I was just a few weeks ago. I finally feel like I’m finding my groove in teaching, exploring new restaurants and markets in my area after school, and exploring nearby regions on weekends.

I am so proud of myself for how far I have come and excited to share my stories and adventures. I can’t wait to see how much I grow throughout this journey. If you are having a hard adjustment, you are not alone, and I promise that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.