Teach English Abroad Blog

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.

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

Hello and welcome! My name is Rollguine (pronounced Ruh-Jean), but you can call me Morgan. I’m from Lexington, Kentucky. I graduated from Bryan Station High School in 2016 and went... keep reading

Why travel solo? One traveler shares how a life-changing solo trip after graduation sparked deep self-discovery, freedom, and meaningful connection. Discover why going alone might be the best decision you'll ever make.

Running a marathon isn't something I ever thought I'd do. I've never really enjoyed running, and I don't feel like I've ever been particularly good at it. But, I'm always... keep reading

If you’ve been considering the idea of teaching abroad, chances are you’ve come across the acronym “TEFL.” A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course is one of the... keep reading

My review of the volunteer program!

Not a day goes by that I’m not deeply grateful for the incredible experience of living in Spain. From weekend adventures to the thrill of navigating a new culture, it’s... keep reading

As a native English teacher in South Korea, understanding Korean culture and professionalism is crucial for both personal success and the broader impact you can have on your students. South... keep reading

If you’re considering getting CIEE’s 150-Hour TEFL Certificate Course, you’re probably curious about how well it actually prepares you to teach abroad, as well as the level of support you’ll... keep reading