Category: Expat Tales

We have all been given a nugget of advice or a whisper of warning before heading out on our amazing journey of teaching, travel, and adventure. But how much of that is true? The only real way to know is to go and apply to teach English abroad and discover the truths and myths for yourself. Here within this Reach To Teach Blog Carnival entry you will delve into the minds of our Reach To Teach bloggers who will tell you about travel myths that turned out to be false.

If part one of the “8 travel blogs sure to make your travel bug itch” didn’t satiate your virtual wanderlust, hopefully this week’s part two will! The amazing bloggers that have made today’s list are experts in the art of backpacking, traveling on a budget, and scouting out the best hidden restaurants and pubs in any country. These addictive websites are the perfect place to spend a few hours learning how to pack a neat and tidy backpack, which pub has the best and cheapest beer in London, and which luxurious hotel in Paris is the perfect choice for you.

In a few hours you’ll catch a bus to the next city where you’ve got a room already booked for you. Until then, you have every bit of your indecisiveness on your back and are aching for a place to give your feet a break. Next week, there’s a late night flight waiting to take…
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Nothing is more satisfying to a wanderer than to see the journeys others have taken. In the age of the internet, it’s easier than ever to read stories and enjoy photos of other travelers as they embark on their unique paths around the world. Of course, I’m talking about the rise of travel blogs. In their simplest form, they’re an outlet for bloggers to share their experiences with the world, but travel blogs cultivate much more than mere curiosity.

One of the best parts about becoming an expat in a new country is exploring the culture. A great way to take a peek into the window of a countries culture is to experience their festivals. Taiwan is a place where you can experience a wide variety of festivals from food to fireworks, sky lanterns to tradition, you can find it all here.

The way I see it, if you’re going to work, if you get to choose, why not make it something you can enjoy, at least to some degree. Something that will challenge and excite and provide new opportunities. Something outside the conventions set by those for whom work is a dirty word. Something exotic, maybe? Here’s why you should work abroad.

Life is made up of our choices. We cannot be all things for all people at all times in all places. We must choose what rings true to our destiny. Those choices will necessarily bring us close to some and further from others. For those who choose to travel, the physical distance can be overwhelming at times. Thankfully, there is something beautiful that happens in shared moments as well as shared absences. And there is a way to not only survive, but thrive in the long distances without friends and family.

It’s tempting to take what we know of the Middle Eastern part of the world and hold some skewed opinions or even pronounce certain judgments upon them without taking time to understand or visit the object of our scrutiny. Once we can learn to be aware of their cultural traditions, religious heritage, and the foundational value of respect they hold for each person, there is much about the U.A.E. which we can cherish for a lifetime. These are the cultural taboos to be aware of in the U.A.E.