Teach English Abroad Blog

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.

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.

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

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.

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

You decided to teach English in Spain. Your signature is on the dotted line. The decision is made; there is no turning back now. You’re excited for what’s to come but nervous, too. Maybe mostly nervous.

Hi there! I’m Kelsey Aycock, a 35-year-old originally from Georgia, most recently calling Tennessee home. My background is in Child and Family Development—I graduated from San Diego State University—and before... keep reading

Making a change is scary but don’t let it stop you from exploring something new. Hi! I’m Marissa and this is how I transitioned to a life abroad in my 30s.

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

When choosing an age group to work with, I think it’s common to choose to work with the younger students because they are perceived as more fun or “easier to... keep reading

Chingu ( 친구 ) is the Korean word for friend . CIEE Chingu is a partner program included in CIEE’s Teach in South Korea programs! Our goal is to connect... keep reading

Kayleigh is a CIEE alum who participated in CIEE's Teach in South Korea program AND CIEE’s Teach in Spain Volunteer program! CLICK HERE to read her experience in Spain. WHY... keep reading