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

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

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.

¡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.

“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

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.

The hardest part is starting. I get it. Here’s how I turned my fear into my greatest teacher — and why your journey starts with just one step. From UCLA to 30+ countries by 24. I left home searching for more than a career — I was chasing lessons the classroom couldn’t teach. This is the story of how travel became the most honest education of my life.

I thought a degree from a top university would be my golden ticket, until no one wanted to hire me. After graduating from UCLA and applying to over 100 jobs with no success, I realized the U.S. job market wasn’t built for recent college grads like me. That’s when I decided to take a leap and teach abroad with CIEE’s Teach in Thailand program. From rejection emails to global educator in a Thai classroom, I found purpose, fulfillment, and adventure in a place I never expected. In this blog post, I share why teaching abroad changed my life, how much it cost, and how you can do it too.

Whether or not you’re also Asian, this will apply to you. Let’s dive into my experience fitting in as a Filipina American living in Spain.