Teacher Hayley: My Thai Teaching Experience (2020)

Living & Teaching in Buriram NorthEast Thailand

When I arrived in Thailand, I was already honeymooning. The country is called "The Land of Smiles" and there is a reason. Everyone is so accepting and friendly and the culture is fascinating. During my orientation, my best friend and I found out that we were given a job opportunity in Buriram at Marie Anusorn school. We had 0 idea where Buriram was on a map or that "Issan" was even a region in Thailand. We thought there was Chiang Mai and Phuket, and that's it. We figured that there is a reason for everything and took the leap to Buriram.
Flash forward 6 months and I am loving it. Still, there are some days where I am thinking how did I get here? Like when I am dancing around the classroom singing the months song (where is the person that was sitting behind a corporate desk at a 9-5 job this time last year?). But overall, it has been the most rewarding and incredible experience.
When I look at my students there is an unconditional love I have for them that I didn't know was possible, even when they jump on me during lunch and in the hallways. I am also able to fulfill my passion of traveling during the school holidays. So far, I have been to Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, and various cities and beaches around Thailand. And that is only a small part of my bucket list. I have met the coolest people and made so many new friends.
I have a newfound respect for the Thai culture and am still obsessed with Thai food even though I have to request "little spicy" every time I go out to eat. When I flew out here to teach, I had only planned to stay for 6 months. And now I have no timeline and could not be more happier.