Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I moved from Nakhon Si Thammarat in Thailand to Norway in August.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I worked for about 13 years in Thailand - the last 12 years at the same school.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

There are several reasons for leaving, but mainly because I wanted to move forward in my life. Thailand is great if you are single but dreadful if you want to start a family.

Another reason for leaving was that my boss for the last 12 years retired last October and the new boss was in my mind not capable of doing the job she was set to do. She has potential, but not the strength to see it through. In the end it was an easy call...

Work was not fun, I wanted to move forward with my girlfriend, Thailand is changing - it is not what it used to be.

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

There are pros and cons. I work longer hours now, but being in Norway, the salary is so much higher. I can go anywhere and people will understand and help you in a way that is far better than Thailand.

I also have the chance to develop myself both work-wise and life-wise. There are also more opportunities to travel to other countries and see things that you will not get to see while working in Thailand.

The ability to live a 'modern life' is far greater here. You can always find new stuff - things that when working as a teacher in Thailand you will never be able to afford or imagine doing.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

Haha, it is cold here. I miss some of the warm weather - but I do love the colours here in Norway. Life is also more relaxing there and some days I do miss that.

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

I have the last few years said to every new teacher I have met - Thailand is good for one year. Live and enjoy life, but be prepared to lose yourself. Thailand does not care for you. It is not your home and it is certainly not for everyone.

To find work in Norway is easy, but be prepared to work A LOT. Here they expect you to put in the hours, no 'sabai sabai' here.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Depending on how things go. As I said, Thailand is great if you don't have a family. I will stop by on holiday for sure, but first, the world is big and I have seen a lot of Thailand already.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

I enjoyed my time there, I loved the life I had but I got lost. I did not manage to leave in time. Luckily I found a special girl that gave me the power to want something more. The rosy Thailand that the tourists and first-year people see disappears when you have lived there for a while.