Q1. Where did you move to and when?

Auckland, New Zealand, July 2012

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I was in Thailand for a total of two months

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

I was overwhelmed I think by the culture shock and not ready for it as I was also dealing with a bereavement at the time. It was too much for me to take on.

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

I've had a 10-month job with a council organisation, my contract kept getting extended, my wage is weekly and double that in Thailand. I know what I'm going to get every day and I get to experience lots of different cultures in one office. I'm also treated as a team member rather than an outsider

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

Some of my friends who are still there, they were the true treasures that I found in Thailand and I do miss some of my students who made my time there worthwhile

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

I wouldn't say not to work in Thailand, everyone's different, some people I met have loved it, others not so much. Give it a go and see what happens. Just be wary of teacher agencies

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Maybe one day in the future, I'd like to see Chiang Mai and some of the more obscure places - but I'm not in a hurry to go back.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

If you don't like where you are in Thailand, it's not the end of the world. It doesn't make you a bad person. It just means it's not right for you. I gave myself a hard time over leaving Thailand and eventually made my peace with it. I'm also blogging about my Thailand experiences at http://www.wanderfearless.com