Intro to my life in Thailand and why I'm here:

For this first post I've decided to write talk about why I am in Thailand and what I'm doing here. On June 1st, 2008 I was offered a position in Thailand as a university English teacher. It was a great opportunity I couldn't pass up even though accepting the position meant that I had to leave at the end of June. I am here through a program called Princeton in Asia (PIA). It is a program run through Princeton and it places college graduates in 15 different Asian countries. There are a few PIAers here in Khon Kaen, which has provided a great friend/support structure here for me.

My last month in the states was whirlwind and wonderful. I was able to see and say goodbye to a lot of my family and friends. The company I worked also helped me a lot by making sure I had the time I needed to get my life in order before I left. Of course I didn't get to say goodbye to everyone and for some this may even be the first introduction you've to me even being in Thailand. I'm sorry that this is the case, but I hope you will be understanding of the circumstances and enjoy finding out about this adventure I've embarked upon.

I arrived in Thailand at the end of June and began teaching on July 1^st. While my program goes until the middle of February, I will be staying on until June of 2009. I really want to be here for a year to soak up as much of the language and culture that I can. I want to make friends here and travel as much as my budget will allow for.

I'm living in a fabulous industrial city called Khon Kaen in northeaster Thailand. I'm working at the Khon Kaen University as a Business English teacher. Sure you may be thinking, what does Mary Beth know about Business English? Well I guess that business program I did a while back paid off. The teaching that I'm doing doesn't require too too much knowledge of business, just a firm grasp of English. Thankfully I happened to have most parts of English down pretty well.

So far I’ve enjoyed teaching, but it’s really tough. I’ve learned a little about my future career goals: I do not want to be an English teacher. I have a new found respect for teachers out there, especially those that teach English. Last semester I taught classes that covered listening and speaking and a very extensive business project. This semester I will be teaching two writing classes, two reading classes, and one listening and speaking class. All of the class I teach deal with the use of English in the business world. Many of my students want to be flight attendants (a highly priced career here), tour guides, or service employees.

The city itself isn’t quite as exciting or cosmopolitan as Bangkok, but it definitely has its advantages. In terms of touristy stuff, Khon Kaen doesn’t offer much, but this allows for a very “Thai” city. Very little is geared towards Westerners and this provides an ideal situation for me. English is not spoken very much allowing for it to be a great place to practice Thai. When I decided I wanted to spend a year abroad I knew that I wanted to be somewhere that would allow me to learn the language; be a part of and learn about the local culture; meet and form relationships in my community; eat and learn about the food of the area; and put myself in a situation that wouldn’t let me hold onto all of the comforts I find at home. Here in this great little city I’ve been able to realize and explore most of these goals. I’m really excited, if a little scared, about what I’ll learn and experience.