Thailand vs. Prague… Need Advice!

[lucia_laParticipant]

So I have to decide by tomorrow where to spend the next year of my life. Being the procrastinator that I am (and indecisive), I still can’t figure out where I want to go. I’m going to be taking a course to get certified as an English teacher and then teaching for a year.

Prague would be cool because…
- I hear it’s an awesome city
- It’s in Europe, so lots of opportunities to visit other great countries nearby
- I have two friends currently there
- The friends say the English teacher course is very good
- I get to choose which job I want to work after the course
- It’s likely that I would only have to teach about 20 hours a week (Thailand job would be full time)
- I could spend holidays with relatives I have in Italy
- It seems like an easier cultural transition than Thailand

But then Thailand would also be awesome because…
- Asia would be super cool, and when other time am I going to live in Asia?
- I have one friend in Thailand and another in Vietnam, so I could visit them and see some more cool places
- I really like Thai food
- The program sets up my teaching placement for me, so I don’t have to write cover letters and go on interviews and all that jazz (which I would have to do in Prague, though the program helps you with that)
- My money would go much further, because food, living, and other costs are very cheap
- It would be amazingly beautiful and tropical and exotic

Thoughts?!

[KristinaParticipant]

Part-time versus full-time seems like a big deal to me. Would you rather have more time to yourself and to explore or more time teaching with local students, and presumably more money?

I’m partial to Asia, but I think it’s also a great plus that money goes a lot further. They both sound really great; My opinion is to go to Thailand, though Prague is a great choice as well.

[daisyParticipant]

I spent a semester in Prague during college and absolutely loved it. I volunteer as an English teacher now and have actually looked at some of the certifications programs in Prague.

A lot of my friends have spent time in Thailand, and everyone agrees that it’s amazing. I agree with you that Prague would likely be at least somewhat of an easier adjustment — but I don’t know whether that’s really a pro or con. If you want a totally unique experience that you may never have the opportunity for again, I’d say go for Thailand. But if you want a quintessentially European experience, Prague is perfect.

Also, would it be possible to study and teach in one place and then, if you enjoy teaching English, look for jobs in a different place afterward? Just meaning that taking the course in one city doesn’t necessarily mean totally giving up on the other. If teaching for more than 1 year is an option for you, I’d suggest you go to Thailand first (I’ve read a lot about how much money you can save up teaching in Asia, although I’m not sure about Thailand specifically), get experience and make some money, and then see about another year of teaching in a European city (where you’ll have savings to use for traveling).

In any case, it all sounds incredible and I have no doubt you’ll make the most of either option!

[savannahParticipant]

I’ve been living in bangkok for two years and I think it really depends on where in thailand you will be living. Some more remote places will be isolating but immersion intense which could be really cool while if you were in bangkok or chiang mai theres a whole huge network of americans/brits teaching english which also has its pros and cons. Also full-time is probably not full time, all of the english teachers i know are always going away for long weekends and traveling to other countries. That all plus how far the dollar goes (which will be a huge thing if you want to travel around) I vote for thailand!

[katieParticipant]

i would just like to add – do you know what thai food is like IN thailand? because thai food made in the US is probably pretty different then actual thai food in thailand. just a thought. kind of like “italian” food in the US is very different from real italian food from italy and chinese food is different, ect… all the food we have here in the US is very americanized.

[bethanyParticipant]

Thailand!!!

Chances are, you’ll have more of an opprotunity to visit Prague later in life, but less of a chance of going back to Thailand. Also, you have friends in Prauge, which might seem like a good thing, but they might serve as a crutch, preventing you from really going off on your own and experiencing all that living alone in a different coutry has to offer!

You really can’t go wrong with either one though!

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