Monkey Abroad

Author: Kevin Cook

  • Living in China vs. Thailand: Which is Better for Westerners?

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    Kevin Cook
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    Let’s be honest. As a westerner, living in China vs. Thailand is an unfair fight. Thailand will win any day of the week because it’s geared toward outsiders and China is geared toward the Chinese. But before you totally discount China as a viable living alternative, you should consider a few things. Historical Relations Thailand…

  • The Dirty Truth About Blogging

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    Kevin Cook
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    As a blogger you’ve gotta ask yourself: Who’s actually reading my work? Arguably the most rewarding aspect of blogging is building an audience. I mean, unless others are reading your blog, then it’s just an online diary (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But assuming you want to build an audience, what does it…

  • Things I Miss (and Don’t Miss) About America

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    Kevin Cook
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    Four months ago I left America to pursue a life of perspective and personal growth and I’m certainly finding what I set out for. Living abroad has lifted a veil, both in my perception of the future and my reflections of past. I don’t spend much time doting over the things I miss about home,…

  • English Camp in Thailand: My Annoying First Experience

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    Kevin Cook
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    Managing an English camp at a Thai school can be an exhausting trial of improvisational grit. At least that’s how I’d describe my first camp experience a couple of days ago. With very short notice, a few foreign teachers and I hosted an all-day English camp for roughly one hundred Thai students. We had no…

  • Why Living Abroad is a Better Travel Lifestyle than Backpacking

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    Kevin Cook
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    Backpacking and living abroad are not the same thing. Backpacking involves frequent migration to new cities and countries until your savings are depleted. Living abroad is experiencing the lifestyle of a single foreign country for a prolonged period. Both are geared toward long-term travel, but each provides a significantly different travel experience. Here are a few…

  • ESL Teacher: Full-Time Game Show Host

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    Kevin Cook
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    Imagine that you’re the only teacher in a classroom of 45 rowdy Thai high school students. They’re texting on their phones, screaming in a foreign language, kicking each other, and climbing on desks. How the hell are you supposed to teach these kids anything? The solution lies in your ability to make learning fun. Be a…

  • How to Catch a Bus the Dangerous Way in Bangkok

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    Kevin Cook
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    BANGKOK—My cross-country bus heading 700 km to Pua is scheduled to depart Bangkok in 30 minutes. I’m standing on the sidewalk, cars gridlocked on both sides of the road. No taxicabs available and I’ve got to travel 14 kilometers to Mo Chit Bus Station during Bangkok’s notorious rush hour or I’m gonna miss my bus. I’ve…

  • 3 Reasons Why Small Town Living in Thailand is Better than Bangkok

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    Kevin Cook
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    No doubt, Bangkok’s bright lights have a tempting allure. But don’t forget about small town life in Thailand. For those who enjoy clean air, friendly locals and a laid-back lifestyle, small town living might be for you. Here are 3 reasons why small town living trumps Bangkok’s urban scene. 1. Small towns are cheap. Living…

  • First Day of Teaching English in Thailand

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    Kevin Cook
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    The first day of teaching English at a Thai school is intimidating. With a 120-hour TESOL course behind me and no prior teaching experience, I dove in head-first. The only administrative guidance I had was a piece of paper with my class schedule and a “good luck!” by my department head. No curriculum, no lesson…

  • 5 Reasons Why I Left America to Live in Thailand

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    Kevin Cook
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    Out of 193 possible countries to inhabit, why live in Thailand? A good question. Check out these 5 reasons why I left America to live in the “Land of Smiles.” 1. It’s cheap The U.S. dollar carries a lot of weight in “The Land of Smiles.” If you’re low on dough, come live here to…