Things to bring by English Teachers in Thailand
It will not be very easy to spend few months in a country whose culture, tradition, customs and language are entirely different from yours. In order to accommodate and adapt these, you need to carry some essentials. Things to bring in Thailand will include several items if you are really willing to try out a completely different lifestyle. The ESL teachers who are on a travel and teach project offered by American TESOL Institute will surely experience a hectic life in Thailand primarily because of the alienation from the familiar western lifestyle. It takes time to settle down.
Some of the most essential things to bring in Thailand are:
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Apart from a passion for travel and teach, one must nurture the willingness to adapt new culture although it would be difficult initially.
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You can bring your favorite food items with you like processed cheese or other processed flavored food without which you cannot survive. Human immune system will take time to adapt the Thai flavors. In the meantime, you should have something your system is familiar with to manage the situation. Before bringing some food items with you, it is better to check the internet page of the country’s “International customs” to ensure what you are allowed to bring in Thailand. Do not carry anything for which you will be fined.
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Things to bring in Thailand surely include the passports and other important documents. Being an ESL teacher you should have the working VISA with you arranged by the school or the language center you will be serving. Bring your passport along with qualification certificates and their copies.
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It would be excellent if you bring a guidebook with you. The guidebook will provide you important information on Thai customs, festivals, bank holidays and overall country which will help you to live in Thailand.
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As an ESL teacher you are expected to follow dress code of Thai schools. So, bring clothes that you need to wear during the school hours. Check out the local prices too. You need not bring lots of ties and shirts from your native country as those are pretty cheap in Thailand.
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You might be in need of bringing some teaching materials in Thailand. Find out what the language centers and school look for. You can bring some essential grammar books like Murphy’s “Essential Grammar in Use” or Swann’s “Practical English Usage”. You can also bring the books without which you cannot live. In order to cut on weight you can have copies of pages relevant to English teaching in Thailand.
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Although medical insurance is expensive, it is a must when you are in Thailand. This is an important thing to bring in Thailand.
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A phrase book is another important item among the things to bring in Thailand. It would be difficult to find an English speaker in Thailand who will translate for you. Learn up some commonly used words and phrases to understand what the people around you are speaking. You must know how to spell the address of your apartment in order to reach home at the end of the day.
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You can bring the photos of your native country, family, friends and loved ones which will help you to settle in a new country. Do not try to alienate yourself from your native culture. Be with it always even in Thailand.
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You would surely like to communicate with your friends and family. But it would be difficult without internet access as they are all living in different time zones. Set up an instant MSN messenger account with your e-mail address. Check out whether you are allowed to use your mobile with international calling cards or you can also use public phones for distant calls at much cheaper rate.
In a nutshell, you must have everything with you which will be needed in Thailand. Lots of clothes and good hiking boots are a must. Things to bring in Thailand include all the essentials that are needed for teaching and traveling in the country. Needs vary from one to another and so, there is no strict prescription for things to bring in Thailand.
