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Feeling advenurous I wrote a proposal for an Asian Pacific Scholars Grant to travel to Thailand and teach for three months. To my delight I was awarded the grant from the British Columbia Centre for International Education, but little did I know the impact this adventure would have on my life.
As I was flying to Thailand, my stomach erupted with the usual flip-flop, and anxiety washed over me like a misguided white water wave. Why was I leaving my comfort zone of loved ones, friends, and colleagues? The next three months, however, proved to be the most exciting professional and personal experience of my life! My teaching connection was with the Rajamangala Institute of Technology and the campus is a showpiece for forty other satellite campuses throughout Thailand. The proposal I submitted was to develop curriculum based on caring communities, specifically peer support, peer counselling, and classroom communication and teaching strategies. Imagine my surprise when I was also assigned to teach conversational English!
My anxiety was heightened when on the first day of class students took off their shoes at the door, clasped their hands together, and bowed as they walked past me into the classroom. When they were all assembled, someone said, "Stand" and in unison they greeted me with "Good morning, Dr. Cole." And they kept standing until I realized I was to give the command for them to sit down! What followed was 2.5 hours of teaching that produced many references to the Thai-English dictionary, demonstrations of puckered lips, and arm and body movements for pronounciation and understanding. These gyrations led to peals of laughter especially after teaching the song, "Hey There Neighbour", complete with square dance actions. Teaching conversational English turned out to be rewarding, but I am not yet ready to give up teaching peer counselling!
In addition to my assignment at the Institute, Rey Carr of Peer Resources established contacts for me at the International School of Bangkok and the Ruamadee International School. The International School of Bangkok has superb facilities with over 1800 students from K-12. Their education system is based on the U.S. model and the school has a strong academic record. The secondary part of the school had an excellent peer helping program established, and the elementary school was developing a peer program. I was delighted to learn they used my book, Kids Helping Kids, as their program and training guide.
Ruamadee International School had over 2000 students from K-12 and included a separate Swiss school. They also follow the U.S. curriculum model and report that 95% of their graduates go on to university work overseas. Ruamrudee¹s campus is an excellent facility with caring and dedicated teachers. The middle school has a teacher mentoring system, and I was asked to give a two day workshop for the teacher mentors.
Thailand is a beautiful country. The people made me feel at home with their smiles and hospitality. And the food is truely "exotic." My taste buds were bombarded with textures and tastes I had never experienced before. My sinuses were forever clear when eating HOT and spicy food and many a time my drink of choice was gulped to cool me down. I did not get to eat crickets, snake, or cockroach. However, I did have my fill of sticky rice and banana pancakes!
I went to the beautiful island of Koh Samui and sampled the sun and white sandy beaches. From there I went north to Chaing Mai and Chaing Rai. Spending time in the Night Market certainly improved my bargaining skills, but then reflecting on the vendors' smiles and the impact on my wallet, maybe I need a little more practice.
One of the most exciting challenges while visiting the north was going on a short trek by elephant. Armed with my memories of "Sabu, the elephant boy" I climbed the ladder, clutched firmly to my wife's hand and precariously positioned myself in the saddle. My admiration for elephants grew as our animal demonstrated the agility of a gymnast and the sensitive nature of a peer counsellor. The trip was exhilirating; I didn't get a nose bleed from the height and I was able to reward my new found friend with many bananas that he ate skin and all!
I returned home just before Christmas with many fond memories. I had made several new friends. The country and its people will have a special place in my heart. I now wonder why the initial anxiety? And yet I know new adventures always produce some misgivings. Now that I have stretched that comfort zone, I can't wait for the next challenge: teaching peer counselling in England, South Africa, India, and Norway.
Trevor Cole has just taken early retirement from Malaspina University College and works in his private counselling practice in Duncan, British Columbia. He hopes to continue to travel and do workshops overseas and can be reached via e-mail at: tcole@islandnet.com.