Paying it Forward! Help me teach in Thailand!

Elise Margolin Start Date: May 31, 2016 - End Date: Jul 29, 2016
  • Thailand

My Travel Story

by: Elise Margolin Start Date: May 31, 2016 - End Date: Jul 29, 2016
Koh Samui is a stunning tourist island situated in the Gulf of Thailand. A playground for tourists, it is not hard to see why the island is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. However, what a lot of people do not realize is that there is another side to the island. Behind the bright lights and shiny resorts there is poverty and destruction. Most government-run schools in Thailand suffer greatly from underfunding. Teaching materials are severly lacking and antiquated, and curriculums suffer immensely. However, most importantly so do the students. In places like Koh Samui, where tourism is the number one industry, to try to find a job of any kind, English is a prerequisite and any Thai with an ability to speak even the most basic English stands a better chance of breaking free from poverty. I feel that I have had so many wonderful experiences teaching English in the nation's largest school system, New York City and would love to pay it forward to the children of Kuh Samui. This experience will also add more knowledge and experience to my own craft as a teacher and I cannot wait to come back and continue sharing all of my knowldge with the students of New York City, and enlightening them about all the opportunities we have here, to be grateful for. At this point in my life, I am truly grateful for all of the blessings I have, and all of the amazing opportunies that teaching English has given to me. I have decided that this summer I would like to continue my own educational journey and spend two weeks giving back to the commuinties and children of Koh Samui. This will be the perfect place to combine my two favorite pastimes. Travel and educating young minds. This is the perfect place to experience the "real" Thailand as I have read about the food being amazing, and the people being one of those most welcoming and genuine in the world. The community is excited to have overseas volunteers and, as a teacher, I would be greeted with respect and wide eyes and friendly smiles! The Thai people really welcome teachers as their own into their village, and give the real local experience. Not many people realize that such a hot spot for tourists, really does struggle with their own people. I would like to really give back, and not only enjoy their beautiful village and landscape, but to help the children of Koh Samui to learn basic English, so that one day, they too can give back to their country, and contribute to their village and tourism economy in a positive way!

  • Thailand