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

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

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.

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.

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.

So… what is TEFL, exactly? TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language — and as of Monday, June 16th, I officially completed my 150-hour TEFL course through CIEE... keep reading

Oh wow — I did it! Last week was a huge milestone in my Spain journey: I went to the BLS office in Chicago and officially filed my visa application... keep reading

So you’re considering availing yourself of Ireland’s Working Holiday Visa (WHV), a visa designed for recent college graduates or current college students, and participating in CIEE’s Teach Abroad program in... keep reading

Meet Sarah- a CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL Alum! 😊 Hi, I’m Sarah! I’m originally from New Jersey, but for the last 4 years I have been traveling all over... keep reading