Teacher Nick: My Thai Teaching Experience (2020)

Living & Teaching in Thailand's NorthEast (Issan Region)

I worked for BFITS for about 1 year and I would say its been fairly easy going. There has been some ups and downs but BFITS was always there to make sure everything was alright. The best part about working for BFITS is the amount of access to materials and teaching support. It is a big organization, employing teachers all across Thailand, the management team offers lots of support for just about anything.

Living in Thailand has been a huge difference from living in America.  I live about a 1.5 miles [3km] from school in a nice studio apartment.  The biggest differences working in Thailand have been the pace of life and how much less stressful work is on a daily basis.  There are times when school can be extremely stressful but then I just think about what I would be doing if I was back home. Probably the best part of the Thai working culture is the number of celebrations, there always seems to be a reason to celebrate and indulge in food and music.  

BFITS has enhanced my teaching experience immensely, from air-conditioned classrooms, internet and materials galore.  The amount of books, corresponding power points, games, and overall support from BFITS has been drastically different from my two previous teaching experiences in Thailand.  

If I could change anything, I would give myself more time to reflect on a daily/weekly basis on how my life has changed and to compare my environment now to my past.  I’ve learned while working with BFITS that teaching younger kids can actually be fun and rewarding.  I was kind of scared to teach P2 and P3 [grades 2 & 3] at first, but they have become some of my favourite students.  To the future teachers, I would recommend enjoying the experience, and most of the time the mai pen rai/por pen yong attitude is the best way to go about things.  

- Teacher Nick MRC School, North East, Thailand

12 Tips from Teacher Nick:

  1. Don’t expect or assume anything, just go with the flow and you’ll be alright.

  2. From my 2 years in Thailand, and talking with other teachers, I would say that BFITS has been the best company to work with/for so far.

  3. Explore your surroundings in your town or city, get to know the local people.

  4. Around my school there is a food stall in front, across the road, the last one on the left, ran by two ladies. It has a lot of variety and everything I’ve had there is very good.  Around my apartment, there is an amazing restaurant called “3 YEK ZEP”, very popular and I think the best restaurant in town.

  5. BFITS management was easy to get in contact with everyone from the organization for any issue.

  6. Very easy to work, live & socialize in Issan, North East, Thailand

  7. The food of the Issan region is easily the best part of my cultural experience. Thai Folk / Country music “Mor lam” and “tai baan” has really grown on me!

  8. I would probably venture to an even smaller town if possible, though I would say Chaiyaphum, North East, Thailand was a fun mix of a small and medium-sized town

  9. Thai food is well known worldwide and when in Thailand, I would recommend trying new things. Thai people hold there food close to there heart and are very proud of it.

  10. Make new friends, it will unlock experiences, place, food and adventures you never knew existed

  • Teacher Nick, MRC School, North East, Thailand

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