News from our grads

Rochelle in Bali, Indonesia

1. How/Why did you first think of doing a TESOL course and going overseas?

I had been travelling to Bali, Indonesia, since 1992 and after many trips I decided I wanted to live there, and the best choice of work for me was to become an English teacher. So there began my journey and doing my TESOL course.

2. Why did you choose Teach International?

I found out about Teach International via the Internet and I chose it because it was convenient for me and not time consuming.

3. How did the course help you prepare for the journey ahead?

It helped me to find a job here in Bali. It also gave me tips on teaching English that I didn’t know and to brush up on my English too...

4. Where are you teaching and how did you get the job?

I am in Bali and have been here for over six years. I had applied to many schools here and all I got were rejections until I heard from English First.

5. What do you enjoy most about living there?

I love the people, the place, the weather, the food and the culture! There is so much I love about Bali and its people. They are beautiful and have a calming nature. This island is so magical and spiritual, it inspires me!  I also live in the city of Bali and there are no foreign people where I live and I really enjoy this.

6. What do you find challenging about living there?

Of course there are a few challenges about living here and one of them is the language. Sometimes it is difficult to express yourself the way you want to and to try and translate from my native language of English into Indonesian can be hard. Indonesian language does not have tenses, so sometimes what I want to say does not come out the way I want it to!

7. What advice would you give to someone planning on teaching there?

If someone was planning on living here I would say learn a little of the language. It certainly does help a lot.

8. What are your future plans? Will you keep teaching and travelling?

I am not sure what my future plans are, only that I hope it is peaceful and happy. I don't think I will teach in any other country except Indonesia - well, for the moment anyway. Bali is like my second home!

9. Is there anything you would like to add?

I would like to say that another reason why I live in Bali is because I also help the poor people in the remote villages, places where people and tourists do not go. I have people who donate goods and money and I distribute them to the villages. I get to go to the local schools and visit the children who really enjoy receiving their gifts. With the money I buy food for the people in the villages. For my last visit to East Bali I organised books and pencils for over 170 students with a special note telling them to study hard! This was absolutely amazing and just one of the many reasons why I love this island paradise.

Rochelle does excellent humanitarian work in Bali. Read more about here HERE...

Rochelle Partenio - Teach International Graduate

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