Coming from all corners of the US, with different backgrounds and majors, this group of volunteers is what kept me sane for the year. Almost each one of us comes from a different state in the US: Florida, New York, Illinois, Colorado, New Jersey, Maine, Texas, and so on. With majors such as: English, Art History, Economics, Education, Psychology, Anthropology we brought the whole spectrum with some people never teaching a day in their lives and with others spending the past 20 years in the art of teaching. The one thing that surprised me the most about this group is how dedicated each one was to their students and schools. Everybody came here to teach and make a difference in any small or big way possible. After long days at school with each day bringing on a new set of challenges, weekend get-togethers to celebrate holidays, birthdays, try to cook american food, or just because were essential. We would empathize with each other about how we miss cheese, had to sit through a 3 hour long thai meeting, how to fend off ants, spiders and snakes, or just had a tiring day being a farang.
This past weekend it came time for our End of Service meeting where we said our goodbyes to those we wont see in Thailand again, reflect on the past year of teaching, and officially receive our TEFL (teaching english as a foreign language) certificates. As most things are here on out, you can't believe the day has arrived until it's practically over. The days are going by faster and faster and soon it'll be time to say bye to PlaPak Village and students. Today I brought out my suitcase that has been tucked away underneath my bed for the last year and begun to calculate how I will pack up!
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