Traveling, teaching, dreaming: readers' FAQs

While my column has generated a lot of positive feedback and great discussions, it has also generated a lot of questions! I would like to take the time to answer a few commonly asked by readers.

I am thinking about teaching English overseas. Do you have any tips?

The three most important tips I can give you are: (1) Do your research, (2) Use your head, and (3) keep an open mind.

Plan to thoroughly research the country you are hoping to teach in. Every country has different requirements for English teachers. Some will require you to have TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification and teaching experience, others will impose age restrictions, most will require you to have a college or university degree, but some will require only that you be a native English speaker.

Read up on things like teaching conditions (class size, number of hours per week, etc.), teacher benefits and living conditions, as these can vary drastically from country to country.

And don't forget to study up on the culture and customs. This can help you feel prepared and informed, and can even prevent some embarrassing cultural mishaps.

There are innumerable placement companies and TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) providers out there. It is really important to do your research when choosing a recruiting agency or TEFL provider. Ask questions. Contact former participants. And use your common sense. If an offer seems suspect or too good to be true, it probably is!

On the other hand, if the agency/provider is experienced and responsible, and offers you a legitimate training course or teaching placement, go for it! And ENJOY.

This is the part where you will need to keep an open mind. When you arrive at your foreign destination you may be confused, surprised or, at times, frustrated by the things you see and hear. It is important to remember that you are not in Kansas anymore!

The truth is, though it may be difficult to appreciate at first, one of the greatest things about living in a foreign country is that you have the opportunity to experience life through a different culture. So toss aside your expectations of "how we would do it at home," open up your mind and your heart, and dive in.

Are you planning to go back to Thailand?

One day, yes! Thailand will always have a (very large) piece of my heart and I know I will go back there at some point in the future. But for now, life has taken a different turn and I am happy to see what adventures lie ahead, here in Hawaii or elsewhere.

What kind of religion is practiced in Thailand? Are Westerners allowed/encouraged to practice their faith?

Although Buddhism is the national religion of Thailand, you — whether Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish or otherwise — are free to practice as you wish. Places of worship for a variety of religions can be found throughout the country. In fact, it is the nonjudgmental nature of Buddhism that allows for this great religious freedom.

You will never find yourself in a position where Buddhism is being forced upon you, but you may observe or even become part of Buddhist practices in daily life.

If you are an early riser, you may witness the monks collecting their daily alms from the local people. If you are a teacher, you are likely to stand every morning at assembly as the entire school recites a Buddhist chant. You will enjoy time off from work with the celebration of Buddhist holidays. If you are visiting a Buddhist temple, you must remember to remove your shoes, not point your feet at a Buddha image and never position yourself above a Buddha.

If you are a woman, you must be extra cautious and respectful of Buddhist monks. Monks are not allowed to have physical contact with or receive anything directly from a woman. (This was particularly apparent when I was teaching in the monastery in Ban Phe. If I passed by a monk on the stairs, he would immediately stop and lean against the wall to avoid accidental contact. In the classroom, if I wanted to pass out materials, I would have to set them down in front of the monks and allow them to pick them up.)

Do you ever come "home"?

Of course! Though, admittedly my homecomings are usually brief, unplanned, and at a moment's notice. I am hoping to host a sort of meet 'n' greet the next time I am "home" and will be sure to invite all of my faithful readers.

Have you done any more modeling?

Yes. I have worked on international TV commercials, print ads, movies and even a few fashion shows (you can read about one of these fashion shows in an upcoming column). My most recent gig was a Japanese TV commercial for Shiseido, shot with 100 other bikini-clad models on a beautiful beach here in Hawaii. Other credits include Olay, Jianchi, Panasonic, Hitachi, Bestway, Lotte, Bonaqua and Coca-Cola.

Be on the lookout for a movie called "Shanghai," due to be released in October. The movie stars John Cusack, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li, Ken Watanabe and, for a brief moment, me!

Are you going to go back to school?

At the moment, no. In the future, yes. I am considering two master's programs at the SIT Graduate Institute (master of arts in international education and M.A. in intercultural service, leadership, and management) as well as two other programs offered at the University of Hawaii (M.A. in linguistics and M.Ed. in educational foundations). All of these programs appreciate candidates who have professional experience prior to enrollment, and thus I am working on gaining additional experience before I choose a program and apply.

Did you ever imagine the adventures you have experienced, or did you always know?

This is a question people started asking long before I began writing this column and have continued to ask as I have shared my tales, triumphs and tears. The truth is, I always knew that I wanted to travel, study other languages and learn about other cultures. But what I didn't know was just where those desires would take me. And in spite of sometimes feeling that I am on the right path but have lost the map, it seems that at each step, with each new adventure comes further confirmation that I am doing just what I am meant to be doing.

Ashley M. Fitzgerald spent a year and a half in Thailand as a teacher, model and program coordinator. She is now the international student adviser at Intercultural Communications College in Honolulu. She is a 2000 graduate of Harrisville Central School and a graduate of Middlebury (Vt.) College. "Grown Local, Gone Global" is published every other Sunday. Past columns are available at www.watertowndailytimes.com/section/grownlocalgoneglobal. Contact Ashley at afitzgerald@wdt.net.