Thailand: Surin Experience
€1,049.25 was €1,399.00
Overview
No degree or teaching experience required!
The perfect mix of teaching in Thailand, a dash of culture in Cambodia and living the party life on the famous island of Koh Phangan – what better way to spend 5 weeks than on our Thailand: Surin Experience. Start your adventure in the eye-opening capital Bangkok where you’ll have a chance to get familiar with the city and all it has to offer, from the calm of the temples to the backpacker’s mecca, Khao San Road! Head off to rural Surin where you’ll be teaching with your fellow travellers – with plenty of time for lesson planning and exploring the local area this is your chance to see a completely different side to Thailand.
Time for a change of scenery with two days in Cambodia and the opportunity to visit beautiful Angkor Wat before finishing your last week of teaching back in Surin. With the teaching done it’s time to let your hair down back in Bangkok then onto the party island itself – Koh Phangan! Before you know it you’ll be saying your farewells, adding each other on Facebook or maybe even planning your next adventure – so what are you waiting for?
50%
Teaching
50%
Travel
In-country support
*please note, this is a guide only
- 120 hours of TEFL training
- 4 weeks teaching in rural Surin
- Trip to Siem Reap & Angkor Wat
- 5 days at the beach on Koh Phangan
Trip details
Day 1 Arrival into Bangkok
Journey into Bangkok BKK airport, where you’ll be met by our team and transferred to the hotel near pumping Khao San Road, the beating heart of backpacker Bangkok. Say hi to your fellow travellers and head out into the noise and buzz to pick up trinkets, share a few drinks and grab some cheap street food. Or you could head to the peaceful banks of the Chao Phraya River if you fancy a quieter evening, it’s just a short walk away.
Day 2 Welcome to Thailand!
Today, it’s time to check out some of Thailand’s biggest hitters with a guided walking tour round Bangkok. Pick up tasty snacks and cold drinks and soak up the lively atmosphere ! Explore amazing temples like Wat Arun and Wat Pho and take a traditional canal boat trip with the group. You’ll also be able to check out Wat Phra Kaew and the glittering Gold Palace - but the 500THB entry fee isn't included.
Rest up back at the hotel, and spend another evening exploring.
Day 3 Transfer to Surin
There’s an early start today to jump on the coach or train for the journey to Surin. This is a great chance to relax and take in the amazing scenery that suddenly appears as you break free of Bangkok’s urban sprawl. The journey takes about 7 or 8 hours, so settle in and enjoy the palm trees, rice fields and jagged hills.
In Surin, you’ll check into the teacher houses where you’ll stay for the next four weeks – simple accommodation equipped with bunkbeds, fans, Wi-Fi and warm water showers, as well as a basic kitchen and lounge area for you to chill out in. Tonight, the team will help you get settled in and show you where to pick up basic shopping, etc.
Day 4 Orientation day
Time to get prepared for teaching! We don’t want you stepping into the classroom for the first time without much of an idea what to expect. Today our team will talk you through what’s included in your teaching experience, give you some tips for lesson planning, activities and tackling those first-day nerves.
Day 5 - 21 Teaching experience
Now it’s time to get stuck in to teaching. Every weekday morning you’ll be whisked off by our team through the local landscape to your school, where you’ll be greeted by students and school staff alike who are really pleased to have you on board to teach English.
You’ll be teaching with the other travellers in groups, so you don’t need to worry about managing classes on your own, and the staff will be there for you to give you some pointers on lesson content if you need it.
Teaching days are about three or four hours of English learning through fun games and activities, and there’s plenty of spare time to brush up on your lesson planning after you’re transferred back home.
It isn’t all work and no play during the week, though. Your free time is yours to spend exploring the local area – check out all the great restaurants, bars, night markets, or even have a dip in the local pool.
Day 22 Cambodia here we come!
Up and at ‘em early for the journey over to Siem Reap, Cambodia for the weekend. At Chong Chom on the border, the group will jump on a coach for the four hour journey into Siem Reap. Once you arrive into this bustling backpacker haven of a city, it’s up to you how you spend your time. Relax, explore or enjoy a few cheeky drinks on the famous Pub Street.
You’ll be staying in an air-conditioned accommodation in Siem Reap for these few days, sharing with one or two other teachers.
Day 23 Siem Reap
Today the group has a full day to explore all Siem Reap has to offer. You could even hire a bike and head over to the vast, ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat (the sunset here is not to be missed!). Extra activities are additional, but our team can help you out with some suggestions and organising any trips.
Day 24 Back to Surin
Time to head back to Surin for the last week of teaching – sit back and relax on the journey back, watching the amazing scenery go by as you cross the border back into Thailand.
Day 25 - 28 Last week of teaching
Give your final week of teaching your all! It’s sure to be an emotional week, as you say bye to the students you’ve worked with for the past month.
Round up your teaching experience with a celebration meal with the other interns at the end of the week – the perfect chance to reminisce and share your fave bits.
Day 29 Back to Bangkok
Ready for a good night out? We bet. Today it’s time to pack up your things at the house in Surin, as the group will travel back to Bangkok. You should be back in the Big Mango for early evening, settled in to your hotel back near Khao San Road and ready to party!
Day 30 Travel to Koh Phangan
Spend the day exploring Bangkok some more, before joining back up with the group for the overnight coach journey to Koh Phangan. Awake to jump on the ferry across sparkling blue water – you’re nearly there!
Day 31 - 35 Koh Phangan
In the early hours of the morning you’ll land on this gorgeous, laid-back party island. After checking in to your accommodation and taking in the amazing white sand beaches and lively atmosphere, it’s time to start exploring!
The next few days are yours to spend as you wish. Snorkel, swim, sunbathe, learn yoga, and head off the beaten track in search of the best bars and beaches (there are plenty to choose from). The staff will be on hand to help you plan excursions if you like.
Day 36 Back to Bangkok
Leaving the island in the morning, you’ll be back in Bangkok by evening for a final night’s exploring, sampling the remaining Thai delicacies you haven’t tried yet, hitting the bars and saying your goodbyes.
Day 37 Time to say goodbye!
Five weeks after touching down in Thailand, it’s time to check out of your Khao San Road hotel and head on with your travels, or back home, armed with a lifetime of amazing memories.
Where will I be going?
Bangkok
As the capital of Thailand, you would expect to find a lively city crammed full of temples, shopping, rooftop bars and outdoor markets. Bangkok does not disappoint. Once you have ticked off all of the must see attractions, the city offers a surplus of quirky hidden gems. Don’t miss out on the David Beckham Buddha located in Bangkok’s Pariwas temple.
Surin
Situated in the valley of the Mun River, a tributary of the Mekong, scattered with temples waiting to be explored you’d be forgiven for thinking Surin is just a rural town. However if you’re visiting Surin in November you can’t afford to miss the famous for the Surin Elephant Round-up when the town transforms!
Angkor Wat
It’s believed to be the largest religious monument in the world and the best time to appreciate the awe-inspiring grandeur of Angkor Wat is at sunrise. Steeped in history, meaning and features, there are over a thousand temples and enchantingly your visit might feel like you’ve just scratched the surface of the Khmer empire
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Inclusions
What's included?
- Advice & pre-departure preparation
- Airport pick-up & excursions
- Accommodation & some meals
- 4 weeks’ teaching experience
- Guided tours & excursions
- Full in-country support throughout
What's not included?
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
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Am I eligible?
What you need:
- Be fluent in English
- Be aged between 18-39
- Be ready for an adventure teaching English abroad
What you don't need:
- Prior teaching experience
- A second language
You’ll need to be TEFL trained to teach in Thailand – but with our 120 Hour TEFL Course included in the price, we’ve got you covered.
- 120 hours online TEFL training – study anywhere, on any device and get the skills you need to teach English confidently.
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What will I need to organise?
What will I need to organise?
Before you travel, there are a few things you need to sort. Keep things easy for yourself and don’t leave them ‘til the last minute!
- International Flights: You’ll be flying into and out of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
- Visas: You’ll need a tourist visa for your trip. Costs vary depending on your passport. Get in touch for more info!
- Budget: You must carry a clean police check. For the UK you’ll need to pay approximately £25 for a Disclosure Scotland. For all other countries, please consult your local police department (costs may vary).
- Travel insurance: This is really important – don’t forget to sort yours before you travel! Travel insurance can be complicated – so click here for some great advice from our friends at the FCO.
Available dates
| From | To | |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd February 2017 | 11th March 2017 | Fully Booked! |
| 26th May 2017 | 1st July 2017 | Available |
| 23rd June 2017 | 29th July 2017 | Available |
| 21st July 2017 | 26th August 2017 | Available |
| 18th August 2017 | 23rd September 2017 | Available |
| 10th November 2017 | 16th December 2017 | Available |