Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I moved back to the UK in April 2014

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I was there for one year (two semesters) and worked at the same government school for that duration.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

I only ever intended to teach here for one year and even though I would have happily stayed longer, I just felt it was time to leave.

Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?

I've gone back to work in the family furniture business. My father owns a large discount warehouse and after leaving university I wasn't ready to join the 'family firm' without first travelling and working abroad a little. But I guess I'm ready to go back and knuckle down and join the 9 to 5 brigade.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

Wow! I don't really know where to start. I miss the Thai beaches, the food, the freedom to do what you want when you want and without any parental pressure. I made a lot of good friends in Thailand as well - both Thais and expats. Hopefully I'll keep in touch with many of them through Facebook.

Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?

I would certainly recommend doing a 12-month contract out there (if you are lucky enough to be offered one) Many teachers used to bang on about how much more money you could make in countries like China or Japan, but I was never tempted. A year of teaching was enough for me. I enjoyed it while it lasted but never fancied making a long-term career out of it.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Hmmmm.........not sure about that one. The world's such a big place and there are so many places to see. But never say never.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

If you're just going to do a year in Thailand, enjoy it as much as you can. There are plenty of other teachers that have become negative about living and working there and spend too much time around them and that negativity can start to rub off on you. I refused to let that happen. I made friends with 'like-minded spirits' and generally hung around with those kind of people. And life in Thailand was all the better for it.