Teach English Abroad Blog

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

How you say goodbye to Madrid is in many ways how you say hello. You walk the streets, you drink in plazas, and you realize you did something right to wind up here.

During my time living abroad in Madrid, I visited 14 countries and 24 cities. (Check out this post for my recap of all the places I visited). So, I have... keep reading

Throughout its history, Madrid has been home to Spain’s best literary minds. The Spanish capital inspired these writers who in turn inspired the city. Today, Madrid remains home to a vibrant literary community with bookstores around every corner.

Not only does living abroad deepen your self confidence, it enhances your creativity, boosts civic engagement, and even increases employability. In this post, I will explore the science behind how living abroad changes your brain.

During my semester in Madrid, I looked forward to and loved when friends from the States came in to town. Having a visitor stay with you is a great excuse... keep reading

Want to Make the Most of CIEE Thailand? Start Your Adventure Before It Begins! Why fly straight to Thailand when you can explore another country first—and maybe even save money doing it? In this blog, I share how my partner and I backpacked through Japan before our CIEE Teach in Thailand placement started. We found $350 flights, stayed in hostels under $30, and made unforgettable memories — all before our first day of work. Learn why a pre-program trip can reduce stress, ease culture shock, and extend your adventure. Plus, I break down the pros, cons, and insider tips to help you do it smart. Don’t miss this travel hack!

“El mundo es demasiado grande para quedarme en un solo lugar.” “The world is too big for me to stay in just one place.” That single thought kept replaying in... keep reading

I am so grateful to have had the chance to travel during my year living abroad. I solo traveled to a lot of places, which taught me a lot about... keep reading

Everyone thinks travel is only for the wealthy, but I proved that wrong while living out of my car and saving every dollar I could. In this blog, I break down exactly how I turned sacrifice into a plane ticket—sharing the mindset shifts, budgeting tools, and step-by-step plan that helped me go from surviving in L.A. to traveling the world teaching abroad in Thailand. If you’ve ever dreamed of living overseas but thought you couldn’t afford it, this step by step guide is for you!

It’s not “goodbye”, it’s “see you later”. This is how I knew it would be okay parting from my family, friends, and partner when I moved half a world away.