Travel to Teach: Thailand Volunteer Story

Brian and his monk

Brian Harding, 22, from Connecticut

Brian was with us in the late summer and early autumn of 2003. His social talents made him an extremely popular teacher with the government classes that he taught, aside from teaching at the Chinese school.

I arrived in Nong Khai in July expecting to spend one month in Nong Khai and another two months in Nam Som. After a very nice month teaching the fifth and sixth grade at the Chinese School, I opted to stay in Nong Khai for the duration of my stay. I could not have made a better decision.

The following week I began teaching an English course for governement officials of Nong Khai Prefecture. Although I was at first skeptical about how enjoyable it would be to teach these well-heeled adults, it soon became apparent that this course would be a rousing success for all parties. My class was made up of well-educated public servents, among which was the Chief of Police, the regional head of the Rubber Authority of Thailand, a chief investigator at the prefectural police department, leading figures at the Ministry of Agriculture, and more.

It may be hard for an outsider to believe, but the respect afforded to me, a 23 year old American, by these individuals was immense. Despite their status, I received instant respect, due to Thai people's typically enormous respect for teachers.

This fact certainly did not prohibit us from having fun in the classroom, however. My students were all there on their own will and were extremely enthusiastic. What is more, their English was at a level such that general conversation was possible. After spending a bit of time teaching a lesson during each session, we spent time discussing various matters, with me only going to the blackboard when necessary. In this way, I was personally able to learn a great deal about Thailand that could never be learned from books. The students also clearly took pride in teaching me more about their nation and their region. All the while, this was an opportunity for them to practice English in a comfortable environment.

this was a most enjoyable experience during the formal class sessions, for me and several students, the course led outside the classroom as well. I don't think I've ever had such a full social calendar in my life than during the 7 weeks that I was involved with these government officials. Several times a week I was invited out for dinner and drinks with my students. I privately tutored the daughter of the Chief of Police. I made a weekend trip to Loei with my star student. I sang a karaoke trio at some random karaoke bar with a police officer and an official from the Ministry of Agriculture. I even attended a retirement party.

My involvment with this course was unforgettable and made for a very unique Thailand experience. After traveling in Thailand for one month, a year earlier, I came back seeking to contibute something as well as learn more about his wonderful country. These goals were most certainly attained.

My Travel-to-Teach experience was wonderful and suggest that anyone with a mild interest in seeing the "real Thailand" to give it a shot. There are those who say that this is impossible as an outsider, but I definitely saw it with my own eyes.

Brian Harding, 22