Ivelyn’s Educator Internship Experience at Globish
Hi! I am Ivelyn, residing on the sunny island of Singapore. Currently, I am a final-year student working towards my degree in Social Work, with a minor in Sociology. My two-month internship at Globish provided valuable insights, and I am here to share my experiences and perspectives.
I first found out about Globish Academia through my school, which posted this internship opportunity. I chose this overseas internship because I enjoy trying new things. I also wanted to step out of my comfort zone and experience a different work culture beyond Singapore. Even though my academic background was neither directly related to Education nor Linguistics, I enjoyed teaching and interacting with students as a part-time Assistant Teacher in Singapore. I was also curious about the behind-the-scenes work, like creating educational resources. Plus, Globish’s mission of empowering people through English language learning resonated deeply with my values. All these reasons combined led me to choose Globish.
Now, you might be wondering about the environment and the people at Globish. I have had various jobs, part-time work, and internships since I was 16, but my experience at Globish was truly eye-opening. I still remember feeling slightly nervous the day before my first overseas internship, not knowing what to expect. However, Globish quickly put my worries to rest, assuring me that all I needed was a positive attitude as they emphasized and valued fostering a friendly environment. And you know what? It turned out to be absolutely true.
I have to admit that one of my initial concerns was the potential language and cultural barriers, but this fear quickly dissipated. The people at Globish were warm, friendly, and really a joy to work with. It felt like having the best of both worlds: my colleagues provided me with valuable professional guidance, all while letting me be myself and enjoy the experience.
Furthermore, my colleagues went out of their way to make me feel comfortable, teaching me the Thai language, and slang, and sharing insights about Thai culture and cuisine. I often wander aimlessly alone whenever I travel, and it is a blast when I stumble upon a charming restaurant, cafe, or shop that feels like a hidden gem. Nevertheless, I would not have discovered the great places my team introduced me to on my own, such as Jodd Fairs, Koh Kred, and the chance to savor some yummy local cuisine.
The Education team worked with each member handling their own responsibilities, yet they also came together to collaborate on specific projects, leveraging each other’s expertise, experiences and knowledge when necessary. Being a part of this team felt like winning the lottery.
Despite their diverse personalities, they assembled the wittiest, funniest, and most diligent individuals into one remarkable team. It definitely felt like having a fantastic mix of skills and characteristics within a single team.
Since each member holds distinct responsibilities, this afforded me the opportunity to gain insights into the intricacies of their respective roles. This included tasks such as drafting weekly emails, proofreading, creating outlines for group discussions and educational materials geared toward pre-teen and junior-level students, evaluating students’ assessments and co-developing a project with my fellow intern: the creation of an English Camp for children.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to develop GECB (Globish English Competency Benchmark) tests that will be utilized as TOEIC tests and in various other assessments throughout Thailand.
In this regard, I cannot single out one task as enjoyable; instead, it was the diverse range of responsibilities and opportunities that allowed me to get a glimpse of what each team member did that made it enjoyable. Every task presented its own set of challenges.
However, my primary challenge was understanding students’ perspectives and tailoring learning materials to their proficiency levels. Some concepts I found easy were difficult for beginners to grasp, requiring me to simplify and adapt the content accordingly. It was like expecting a seasoned long-distance runner to ask a beginner to run a marathon — it is not fair.
This was a truly humbling learning experience, prompting me to step away from my usual way of thinking, which obviously did not serve me well in this context.
Overall, my internship at Globish was a rewarding experience that also contributed to my personal growth. What made it truly special were the meaningful connections I established within both Globish and the wider Bangkok community, all of whom I still hold dear and miss to this day.
I would describe Globish as a place where people can have fun while pursuing their personal and professional goals. It’s like a thriving plant in a space where work and enjoyment coexist. I believe that every individual, whether they’ve already had the privilege or will in the future, to experience Globish, will find it as fulfilling as I have. If you’re an intern thinking about joining Globish, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a go.