A Broken Bike Won’t Stop the Mission to Teach

 Hello everyone, near and far!

If you have been following my journey for a while, you know that my heart belongs on the road. Traveling to remote, isolated communities to teach is more than just a passion for me it is my life’s purpose. I do this work entirely on a volunteer basis, without a paycheck, simply because I believe that education is a fundamental human right. Every child and adult, no matter how far outside the map they live, deserves access to basic learning.

Seeing the spark in a student's eyes makes every mile worth it. But right now, that journey has come to an unexpected halt.

The Roadblock

Recently, my bike broke down. For many, a bike is just a luxury or a weekend hobby. For me, it is a lifeline. It is the only vehicle capable of navigating the rugged terrain, unpaved paths, and narrow trails that lead to the remote villages where my students are waiting. Without it, I am completely stranded, and my students are left without their lessons.

It is incredibly tough for me to ask for help, but this mission is bigger than me. To get back on the road and resume teaching, I need to get the bike repaired as soon as possible.

How You Can Help  Link here

I am reaching out to our global community to help me overcome this hurdle. If you believe in the power of education and want to support these communities, there are two ways you can stand with me today:

• Contribute to the Repairs: A small financial donation goes a long way toward fixing the bike and securing the parts needed to make it road-ready again.
• Share My Story: If you aren't in a position to donate, simply sharing this post with your network, friends, or family is an incredible help. The sooner we can get those wheels turning I can get back out to the villages and students.

Your kindness doesn't just fix a machine; it directly reopens a pathway to education for people who need it most. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your endless support, your shares, and your generosity, head on over to the contact me page.

Let's get back on the road together.

Sending light and love,

Kay

10 things for self care while Teaching Abroad

Teaching and traveling abroad is truly amazing, such an incredible experience which i am currently going through myself as i have chosen long term travel life.

However, amidst the excitement and challenges of living in a foreign country, it’s crucial not to neglect your own well-being. Practicing self-care is essential for maintaining balance, managing stress, and ensuring a fulfilling overseas teaching experience. 

I am guilty for neglecting my self on a number of occasions from just being nervous to language barrier so here's a few things i have learnt along the way. 

Key things to prioritize for self-care while teaching abroad: 

1. Establish Boundaries: Set boundaries between work and personal life to prevent burnout. Designate time for relaxation, hobbies, and socializing with friends. My personal rule is to never take work home... I do not mark at home, no homework nothing i keep a very strict boundry.

2. Stay Connected: Maintain connections with loved ones back home. Regular communication with friends, family, advice, and a sense of belonging. This one is realy hard sometimes you have nothing to say to everyone back home, sometimes they are not interested, sometimes you miss them more and it gets overwhelming and you miss them more.

3. Prioritize Sleep: It will be hard to pull yourself away from the enticing new culture you find yourself in. However, it is important to establish a consistent sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine to ensure quality rest. This is important that you sleepwell.

4. Nourish Your Body: Fuel your body with nutritious foods that support energy levels and immune function. Explore local cuisine while prioritizing balanced meals rich in fruits, vegetables. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

5. Stay Active: Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine to boost mood, reduce stress, and maintain physical health. Explore outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, or yoga, or join a local gym or sports club to stay active and meet new people.

6. Practice Mindfulness: Cultivate mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling to manage stress and enhance self-awareness. Take moments throughout the day to pause, breathe deeply, and check in with yourself to promote relaxation and mental clarity.

7. Engage in Self-Expression: Explore creative outlets such as writing, painting, or playing music to express yourself and relieve stress. Engaging in artistic pursuits can provide a sense of fulfillment, inspire creativity, and serve as a form of self-expression.

8. Set Realistic Expectations: Be realistic about what you can accomplish and prioritize tasks based on importance and feasibility. Avoid overcommitting yourself and learn to say no when necessary to avoid spreading yourself too thin.

9. Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek support from mental health professionals, counselors, or support groups if you’re struggling with emotional or mental health challenges.

10. Cultivate Gratitude: Practice gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of your teaching experience abroad. Keep a journal, reflect on moments of joy and fulfillment, and appreciate the unique opportunities and experiences.

Travel Teaching Companies

           Travel Companies. 

Keep in mind most to all travel companies require youto pay them a certain amount, This amount goes towards the orientation week, in country admin and all the extra activities you will be doing.

I personally think its a great thing because it takes away the stress of the initial first few months and paperwork.

Global work and travel 

Website 
Youtube

I used this company for my working holiday visa to Australia. From what i've experienced and what i have read from others this company is a bit hit and miss, some including myself had a not so good experience and some loved it so just do your research.

Pack Your Bags: The Essential Checklist for British Teachers Moving Overseas

           The Essential UK Teach Abroad Checklist

1. Official UK Documents

• Valid Passport: Must have at least 6 months left before expiry. (Also bring a few passport photos)
• Criminal Records Certificate: The standard UK police check required for foreign work visas (some people know this as a CRB check in the UK)
• Legalised Documents: Degrees and certificates legalised via the UK government's Apostille service. (Just keep in mind this has added costs and not every school requires it)
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): Optional, not all school want this your degree is more than enough.
• TEFL/CELTA Certificate: A minimum 120-hour qualification from a UK-recognised provider. (I used this company)

2. Tech & Classroom Gear

• Worldwide Travel Adapter: Essential for converting British 3-pin plugs overseas.
• Laptop & External Hard Drive: For building lesson plans and saving teaching resources. (some schools do supply you with one check first)
• Smart-Casual Wardrobe: Clothes that meet local cultural standards (often more formal than UK schools).
• Comfortable Footwear: You will be on your feet teaching for most of the day.

3. Health & Finacial Prep

• Expat Health Insurance: Private cover (I have private coverage through my Revolut card. Some schools supply health insurance check when signing the contract and ask questions)
• Prescription Supplies: Take a 3 month supply of medication and get a letter from your GP. (chemists\ Pharmacys here supply EVERYTHING and its cheaper)
• Fee-Free UK Debit Card: Cards like Monzo, Starling, or Revolut to avoid hefty foreign exchange fees. (I use Revolut Referral code the fees have never been more than 12 GBP) 
• Relocation Cushion: Enough savings to cover your first month's rent and deposit before your first payday. (This is a must! Remember you have to have money for a deposit, rent, transport and food)

4. Comforts from Home

• British Tea Bags: A stash of Yorkshire Tea or PG Tips is a proven cure for early homesickness.
• Skincare & Deodorant: Specific UK brands can be incredibly expensive or impossible to find abroad plus most cosmetics have whitening agents in them.

FUTURE POSTS:

Specific requiements for certain countries.

Travel companies

Life Update 15th March 2021

 Hello you beautiful people on the internet (cheesy wave) Well a little life update if you all have time?

 I am almost finished my second year of university the course i am doing is bloody hard but need it if i want to be a teacher!

I must endure and persist.... 

My assignments are still going in by the skin on my teeth, i really must learn time management.

The bad news - 

 Like everybody else in March i was placed on furlough with my two jobs.

The pub where i worked decided to shut permanently so in June 2020 i was made redundant. Then in October the convenience store i worked at informed me i was going to be made redundant again, when i heard that i was devastated i loved that job.

Luckily my old boss from the pub passed my name on to a supermarket and they phoned me in November so i started working in a store in town and i have been there ever since, i am grateful for my old boss and his wife.

Good news - 

i have passed my online TEFL certificate with additional Advanced Grammar, which means now i can teach abroad and online.

Even more and more good news i am now registered with a Education Agency and i am finally getting some classroom experience in which i love, i love, i love! I lost my placement in 2020 thanks to the pandemic.

Teaching Assistant/ Cover Supervisor is what i am doing at the moment i love it, i love it, i love it! Wish me luck 🙏

Stay safe

 Wear a mask

Wash your hands

Use your common sense

Stay blessed.