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A South African Teacher's Adventures In & Out of the Global Classroom

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About me
Travel Destinations
- The Middle East
  - Palestine
  - Oman
  - Qatar
  - Bahrain
  - United Arab Emirates
  - Saudi Arabia
  - Jordan
  - Iran
- Asia
  - Sri Lanka
  - India
  - Laos
  - Myanmar (Burma)
  - Nepal
  - Maldives
  - Turkey
  - Pakistan
- Europe
  - Austria
  - Belgium
  - Cyprus
  - Croatia
  - Czech Republic
  - France
  - Hungary
  - Ireland
  - Netherlands
  - Serbia
  - Slovenia
- Africa
  - Tanzania
  - Swaziland
  - Kenya
  - Egypt
  - Tunisia
  - Seychelles
  - Uganda
  - Rwanda
  - South Africa
- Caucasus
  - Azerbaijan
  - Armenia
  - Georgia
  - Russia
- South America
  - Brazil
  - Argentina
  - Paraguay
  - Uruguay
  - Chile
  - Peru
- Central America
  - Guatemala
  - El Salvador
  - Belize
  - Mexico
Teaching Abroad
Life in the UAE
Life in Qatar
- Things to do in Qatar
- Info for residents
  - Getting a drivers license in Qatar (if you already have a license)
Life in Kuwait

About me
Travel Destinations
- The Middle East
  - Palestine
  - Oman
  - Qatar
  - Bahrain
  - United Arab Emirates
  - Saudi Arabia
  - Jordan
  - Iran
- Asia
  - Sri Lanka
  - India
  - Laos
  - Myanmar (Burma)
  - Nepal
  - Maldives
  - Turkey
  - Pakistan
- Europe
  - Austria
  - Belgium
  - Cyprus
  - Croatia
  - Czech Republic
  - France
  - Hungary
  - Ireland
  - Netherlands
  - Serbia
  - Slovenia
- Africa
  - Tanzania
  - Swaziland
  - Kenya
  - Egypt
  - Tunisia
  - Seychelles
  - Uganda
  - Rwanda
  - South Africa
- Caucasus
  - Azerbaijan
  - Armenia
  - Georgia
  - Russia
- South America
  - Brazil
  - Argentina
  - Paraguay
  - Uruguay
  - Chile
  - Peru
- Central America
  - Guatemala
  - El Salvador
  - Belize
  - Mexico
Teaching Abroad
Life in the UAE
Life in Qatar
- Things to do in Qatar
- Info for residents
  - Getting a drivers license in Qatar (if you already have a license)
Life in Kuwait

Expat Panda’s free Teaching Resources

Read below to find out how access my free teaching resources for middle & high school students.

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“BRB going to check with my face reader if you w

“BRB going to check with my face reader if you will pass this grade or not!”

Don’t book anything for your trip before paying

I am always curious to see what teachers’ REAL c

I am always curious to see what teachers’ REAL classrooms look like. Not the ones with Pinterest-worthy decor that teachers created to look good on their social media (so they can sell things). I mean the classrooms designed with purpose for the needs of the students , subjects and teacher 👩🏽‍🏫

Please note that I have sent 3 years putting this classroom together in a way that suits me best. It takes time to build up a purposeful learning environment and my students contribute to that with their own work and ideas. Because they’re in high school, they are also in charge of how things are organized and stored 📝

To me, its very important to ask upfront about the provision of resources and its budget in job interviews; because I do not believe in spending my own money on work-related items. I learnt this the HARD WAY especially with schools in the Gulf that prioritise the owner’s yacht but not books for students 🛥️

Note: For security reasons I will not be posting the name of the school neither will I be responding to DM’s asking me about where I work 🥸

Today was bittersweet for me 😵‍💫 It was t

Today was bittersweet for me 😵‍💫

It was the last official school day for my grade 12 students. I have been teaching them since they were in grade 10 so it’s a not an easy goodbye after 3 years. Once in a while you have a class that changes you. This was that class for me. (If you’re new here, I teach high school English & Psychology at an international school in Qatar).

Teaching high school is strange. The relationships are much closer than when you teach younger kids. You see the students at their most vulnerable- through the tumultuous years of adolescence marked by insecurity and anxiety. But you also witness their pure childish joy of still being kids👩🏽

Yes every teacher says goodbye to their classes at the end of an academic year; but seeing teenagers evolve into adults, on their way to tackle a harsh world is disconcerting🌍

I don’t often feel envious of parents but today I do. They get to keep their kids in their lives and watch them grow even more. All I can do is cheer from the sidelines now, wishing them well. As teachers, our time with students is fleeting but often, so impactful. They learn from you but you also learn from them. The students have a direct impact on the type of teacher you become. They see you in a way that not even your own family sees you. It’s weird 🤷🏾‍♀️

I have a special place in my heart for my students; as an international teacher, they’re integral to my experiences and memories of a country.

The end of an academic year is always fraught with emotion- yes we are thrilled to see our students move on. But there is also a profound sense of grief as this chapter closes.

This is my 12th year of teaching… but goodbyes never get easier 💔

The majority of places we travel to, will have an

The majority of places we travel to, will have an English translation, whether on the menu, ATMs, or street signs. That is a privilege 🤷🏾‍♀️

Language has evolved into a type of money, with English being the most valued. People who are English speakers have a huge privilege than those who do not speak the language, which is something we- as travellers- need to start recognizing. This is especially important since the history of colonialism and imperialism, which many like to forget, is the source of this inequality 🌎

Nowhere is this more important than in the concept of teaching abroad; countries will recruit a person to teach English simply because they have the right accent and are fluent in this language. No teaching qualifications or experience needed! How many people who speak another language can say they have access to opportunities like that? 👀

Overall, language is one of the only ways we can express our thoughts and communicate with one another especially when travelling. By examining our linguistic privileges, we may work to diminish them and travel with more empathy 💚

🌀New Blog Post: Planning a short trip to Mexico

🌀New Blog Post: Planning a short trip to Mexico🌀

In December 2022, I took a short trip to Mexico as part of my larger journey around Latin America. Mexico is firmly in list of favourite countries… there’s so much to love:

Tacos, tamales, quesadillas, churros — the menu is undeniably one of the best in the world; active volcanoes, ancient pyramids, and fascinating towns waiting to be explored; colourful decorative pom-poms and piñatas, stunning woven fabrics and wraps, and handmade ceramics and textiles 🔆

As always, my detailed blog post outlines an itinerary for planning a short trip around the eastern coastline of Mexico- from visa information, where to stay, where to eat and how to get around.

Click on the latest post tab from the link in my bio 💻

Don’t miss visiting this country of vibrant colour, song, sunshine and delicious flavours 🇲🇽 Have you been?

This is a starting point to find relevant and up t

This is a starting point to find relevant and up to date information about the visa requirements of a country for your passport 🌏

I also bookmark the government website so when I am checking in for my flight and there’s arguments with the airline staff (inevitable when they see an African passport), I refer them to the website 🌚

You should know that most third party visa information websites tend to cater only to strong passports or want you to pay for their visa services 💰

If I don’t find credible information I need online, I phone the country’s embassy and/or consult TripAdvisor forums & Facebook travel groups.

Lastly, if I feel that the information can’t be verified, I go with a “When in doubt, leave it out’ policy simply because I can’t take the chance of wasting my time and money on a trip where the country has no clear entry requirements for my passport 👋

How do you find visa information?

Wondering what to prepare if you’ve never travel

Wondering what to prepare if you’ve never travelled internationally?

This post has you covered. Swipe to read 😎

These are the 5 things I recommend organizing before you embark on any trip for the first time. With 7 months left in 2023, why not make this the year to see the world (or at least a small part)!

I would recommend the same items (minus the itinerary) to anyone moving abroad for the first time- although you have to give yourself a longer timeline to sort out a work visa 🕰️

Seasoned travellers and expats, what are some other essential items for first time travellers?

🌎A few of my travel essentials I am a pretty s

🌀New Blog Post: Hiking to Mackintosh Falls at G

🌀New Blog Post: Hiking to Mackintosh Falls at Giba Gorge🌀

There’s very few places located close to the city where you can see not one, not two but THREE beautiful waterfalls. Giba Gorge is- like most things in KwaZulu Natal- not publicized enough. There’s so much to see and do that you could easily spend an entire day there. And with the entry fee being a mere R40, why wouldn’t you?

For nature enthusiasts, Giba Gorge offers the opportunity to walk multiple trails; each one is suitable for people of different fitness levels/ages. In my blog post today I provide a detailed review of how to get to and which trail to take at Giba Gorge that will suit you 🌳

Click the latest post tab from the link in bio to read all about m this activity when in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa! Have you visited?

I travel to South Africa with nearly empty suitcas

I travel to South Africa with nearly empty suitcases and always return with bulging bags. The exchange rate between the Riyal and the Rand means that my money goes further in South Africa than it does in Qatar… so I tend to take advantage 🌚

Most of the things I bring back are food related because the quality of food in the gulf is inferior (when compared to South Africa) so I tend to stock up for the months ahead. Thanks for helping Chai and I to unpack 🐈

What things do you bring back in your suitcase when you visit your “home” country?

One of my favourite things about South Africa is t

One of my favourite things about South Africa is that you could live there for years and still discover new places if you went looking for them 😁 There’s just so much to do & see!

All the details about this (and other) beautiful waterfall coming up 🔜 So… would we be friends?

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