Now it's Karl's turn to tell us a little bit about himself. He is going into his 3rd year with Nava School of English. So here’s how, and why, he came to settle in Thailand as an ESL teacher.
"Sat looking out at the grey sky back in my home country. I knew I needed something new, something more than the life I had grew accustom to. So in a bid for more adventure I decided to go travelling.
As every expat in Thailand will tell you, teaching is by far the easiest job to find, as I wanted to prolong my travelling I decided I would give teaching a go. I had never taught in my home country, so I decided to participate in a TEFL course. I needed to learn essential core skills in order to become the best possible teacher I could be. I had an idea the first month would be the most challenging and a TEFL course would allow me to build my confidence and make any mistakes I was sure to make, whilst giving me advice on how to solve them. I felt it would be a screening process allowing me time before coming to any conclusions about teaching. Can I do it? Will I like it? It is hard?
The beneficial factors of the TEFL course was the allowance of repetition and feedback on how to improve my skills. Evaluation, feedback, Real Practice. Real Practice, Evaluation, Feedback, Reflection. Real Practice, Advice, Application and so on and so on. After researching TEFL courses online I waited to get feedback via word of mouth to sign up to the the highest quality course.
The World is my Oyster
Thailand
"Touching down in the 'Land of Smiles' it became quite apparent I had never had the pleasure to be emerged into a culture so alien to my own. I couldn't have imagined how amazingly unique from my own it seemed. From tantilising my taste buds to encapsulating politeness.
Strolling through the lush jungles of the north the divine biology, usually only seen on TV, was awe-inspiring. With an amassment of trees so concentrated they become a carpet of grass and the peaks of the mountains being swallowed by the low level clouds, silhouetting against a back drop of black-indigo sky scattered with stars. I knew then life was about to get good!
Travel a few hours south and once again I was emerged into a totally different world again. The white sandy beaches, the bed of coral and tropical fishes, the structurally deformed palms trees who's leaves kiss the waves with their leaves as they lap against the grains of sand. Laying back in a hammock, slowly rocking side to side, looking out over the sea, watching the breath taking sunrise/set, I had never felt so content. Making the decision to stay in Thailand seem effortless."
Laos
"Travelling up to Laos I was in the midst of yet another completely different culture. I could see how the people had been effected by the French colonisation. The Parisian style street lamps and the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the cobble streets. Laos food is also a mixture of Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese influences not just French.
Trekking through the jungles and mountains of Laos it became quite obvious the tourist hadn't managed to hit those trails in the masses like Thailand's jungle treks. Making the journey down the dirt tracks far more remote and serene."
Cambodia
"I wondered through the ancient temples of Cambodia, which left me captivated. If you move away from the tourist trap temples like Ankor Wat, you will find remote jungle temples, products of the Khmer Civilisation. Due to the history of the carvings around the temples, seeing the dinosaur among them gave us all a much talked about topic to debate over. Did the Khmer's live side by side with the dinosaurs?
The jungle treks are much more strenuous and certainly not for the faint hearted. If you have the stamina to complete them, the rewards during and at the end are worth every bit of the effort you will have to put in. I stopped in a clearing of the trees to camp. One local started a fire while the other one played the guitar, smelling the food cooking in the blackened pot made that night an unachievable night back in my home country.
The subtle use of spices in Cambodia contrasted that of it's neighbour, Thailand (who uses chilly in an abundance)making the dishes much more delicate. The choice of many dishes for one meal was very interesting to me. I have never had the opportunity to try so many flavours together whilst eating alone."
Malaysia
"Being the hub of a multitude of cultures, made Malaysia one of the most exhilarating countries to visit. The abundance of religions, cultures and cuisines resulted in me not being able to control my senses. My eyes darted from one building to the next, my nostrils twitched with the aromas each street emanated, my ears caught the varied languages being spoken and the chants deriving from the different religious structures.
Malay, Chinese and Indian are a few of the influential ethnic groups that make up Malaysia's signature dishes. I couldn't believe considering the vast amounts of varying dishes of Malaysian food, it doesn't seem to be as popular as Thai/Vietnamese. After I tasted Malaysia's food I was baffled as to why not. This is a must go to place for foodies!
I love to trek and be outside surrounded by nature as often as possible. So once again I took to the jungles and mountains. Just like Cambodia the treks are much more hearty than the Thai/Laos trails, but just as rewarding!"
Singapore
"Stepping into the culture of Singaporean life, one very distinguishable difference became immediately apparent. The sophistication that runs through every aspect of life. The nightlife, shopping malls, restaurants, public transport, buildings and streets all exude quality.
Singaporean people pride themselves on their cleanliness. Signs everywhere telling you not to litter. One sign read 'Do not sit on the floor'. This rule was in place inside and around a
shopping mall. A much more regimented way of life compared to their laid back neighbours."
Hong Kong
"Just like Singapore I couldn't deny the sophistication Hong Kong's culture had to offer. With it's Eastern and Western fusion coming together to make for a much more luxurious way of life. The people were still very placid, even if their lifestyle differs to the other S.E.A countries.
I headed down to the beach, the cleanliness and safty is like nowhere I have been before. Nobody was worried about leaving their belongings unattended. Lifeguards manned the coastline and signs of of warning were everywhere. The signs included shark sighting information, the days current strengths. They even went as far as writing a sign informing you not to swim immediately after a meal. Very organised and structured.
The products on sale there whether it was clothes, food or electric goods were of high quality. Again a reflection of the luxurious lifestyle the people of Hong Kong strive to obtain."
