Hi,

I am hoping to get selected for a travel to teach program next year somewhere in the area around Nong Khai, I am just looking for others that may have had some experience with these travel to teach programs, or perhaps even a paid western teacher may like to comment on teaching in a local school.

Other things I need to consider are:
living conditions
cost of living
ease of travelling

So any and all input whould be appreciated.

Thank you one and all!

Dajana, I'm no expert in the teaching field, and I've never taught (well anyone else other than my kids), but I can help to point you in the right direction of the local teaching programs around Nong Khai.

They are all charitable concerns so do not pay anything that I am aware of, and you may actually have to part with some cash to get accepted onto the program.

The 2 largest programs that I am aware of around here are:
Travel to Teach
http://www.travel-to-teach.org/

And the Isara foundation
http://www.isara.org

Both of them offer a full service from getting your flights booked, to arranging accommodation and meals wherever you may end up being placed.

I hope that helps

Thank you again for the information Sean.

I have been in touch with travel to teach, but I was not aware of Isara, so I will contact them as well.

Still looking for some more information from some body in the field though, is anybody there??!!

Hi Dajana,
I have been browsing nongkhai map now for a long time, but have only just taken the plunge and signed up as you sound like you are in a similar situation to me a while back.

I am in my early 20's and like you, decided to throw a little adventure in my life and come to Thailand to teach, I really hoped to gain more life experience than anything else, but it really has turned out to become one of the best moves I ever made. I hope that I can make it last for many years to come.

I started my 1st teaching post about 18 months ago in Sangkhom at a small school on the banks of the Mekong. I made all the arrangements myself, I never knew about travel to teach or isara back then, but nonetheless I still managed to plan it all ok.

I have settled into the school now, and even get paid a small salary to keep me going, which I gratefully accept. They have been getting my visa fixed without any problems, so far .
They have put me up in some local apartment where some other teachers stay, for free (it's basic, but good enough for me), and from what I can understand, they do rent for around 1300-1500 per month excluding water and electric that usually racks up to around 4-500p/m.

I eat and drink on the streets, so 100 or so baht per day looks after my food and drink requirements, and still allows me to save a few 000 baht per month to head into Nong Khai or Udon to let my hair down every now and again.

I have a motorcycle, Honda 110cc thing, cheap as chips to run, 50 baht per week for the gasoline.

An average month my outgoings total about 3,500 to 4,500 which also includes internet cafes and a few movies to watch here and there. I do live pretty simply though, but that way I look forward to my little weekends away to Nong Khai or Udon that much more.

Teaching here, is a nice deal, I was learning to teach back in the UK before coming here, so I am committed to the job, and I really enjoy it.
The ages of the kids I teach vary from 5 or 6 to around 12 when they leave for High School, and they seem to love me and my classes. It really gets tearful when some of the pupils leave to go elsewhere, there is such a strong 'family' feel to the area.

I think the only topic I didn't really touch base on was the travelling around thing, well buses go everywhere, and are very cheap and certainly work for me, as long as you're not too demanding, then you will have no problems getting around.

I have a local girlfriend up here as well now and she has a job in 7-11 that earns her some pocket money, so life is great for us in Sangkhom.

The only real things that I do miss are:
decent quality internet - it's really hit and miss up here, if it works at all that is
family - but they come to see me often enough
there are probably a few other things, but I cant think of them right now.

I think you will have a great time, so all I can suggest is DO IT!

Very informative post there Stato, I'm sure that will shed some light on the matter for Dajana.

Welcome to the forum by the way

Sean wrote:Welcome to the forum by the way

Nice of you to say so, much obliged

I have heard only good things about Travel to Teach, but am not familiar with Isara (= "freedom" in Thai).

I also have friends who teach at FGCC here - First Global Community College: www.fgcc.ac.th Nong Khai is small, which makes the classes intimate.

IMHO, it's a place for folks who really want to get into the local Thai, and Lao, and Vietnamese, culture!

Let us know if you have other questions - we're always happy to help!

Jeff

Wow, there seems to be a lot more to choose from than what I initially thought.

Thank you for the information and the website link Jeff.

Thats a new one to me also Jeff, thanks for that.

Hey hey, I have made some some enquiries and the responses I have had all sound quite promising, so I am going to keep my fingers crossed for now and report back when I have some details finalised.

Thanks everybody for your help.

I have just received further information on another volunteer organisation in Nong Khai

http://www.openmindprojects.org/

Not sure if they cover teaching though.

Having lived in Nong Khai for a few months I have had the opportunity to talk with people who have been teaching volunteers. I have heard nothing but praise for Isara. I have a friend who was a volunteer for Open Minds and another who was involved with Travel to Teach. Both of them were disgusted by the organisation, accomodation at these projects. They were most unhappy at what they got in return for the large payment they made. To quote from one, "I would have had better accomodation if I had been caught in posession with heroin". I'll leave it at that.

Hello
I am looking for a contact for St Paul's Boarding School and for the new International School. I have looked on google and on ajarn.com
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks