United Kingdom
UK
Timea Palfi
Teach Enrich Empower
From London to Asia: A Journey Beyond Borders
My name is Timea (Timi). I am a Hungarian/British citizen, and I have lived in London for the past 8-9 years. Teaching English wasn’t my original aspiration – I worked in many different sectors, and just before I packed my suitcase, I was working as a marketing professional, mainly in the Higher Education sector.
However, even though I was living in one of the most multicultural cities in the world, my desire to travel never faded. After backpacking for a few months in 2022 and thoroughly enjoying the experience of exploring different countries and immersing myself in diverse cultures, I developed an appetite for more – but with the goal of greater flexibility.
I had heard that being an EFL teacher from a native English-speaking country could be a great way to combine work with travel. As an EFL teacher, I could not only work in a rewarding sector – teaching children – but also make my dream of experiencing new cultures a reality. So, I thought to myself, “Why not give it a try?”.
After researching various companies offering online EFL teaching diplomas, I found TTA to be the most appealing. I enrolled in their Level 5 Course, and thanks to their flexible learning schedule, I completed my studies within a few months and became certified in November 2023.
Soon after, at the end of December, I started applying for EFL jobs in Asia, particularly in South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. I was genuinely surprised at how quickly my life changed.
Not only did I receive countless job offers, but by mid-April 2024, I had already started my new role as a certified English teacher in South Korea. I worked there for half a year before continuing my journey in Vietnam. Now, it’s February – less than a year has passed – but I have already gained so many valuable experiences in such wonderful countries, and I’m incredibly grateful for this journey.
I currently work at Scots English in Thanh Hoa, where I teach children aged 3 to 15 while immersing myself in the local culture every day. During the Tet holiday (Lunar New Year), I travelled from northern to southern Vietnam, visiting breathtaking places with fellow teachers. At work, I participate in local events, and my employer even gifted me a traditional dress as a souvenir.
While my marketing and hospitality background provided me with valuable transferable skills for this role, TTA’s online program played a crucial part in helping me secure this job. A year ago today, I would have never imagined I’d be writing this review from a local café in Vietnam, and I’m incredibly excited to see what other opportunities await me in the future. Thank you, TTA!
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