Q1. Where did you move to and when?

Moved to Doha, capital city of Qatar, this September 2011

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I worked in Thailand for 6 years in total before moving to Abuja in Nigeria as the Deputy Head of a British international school and then came back to Bangkok for one year as the DoS at a large Catholic school in Nonthaburi.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

I really enjoyed being back in Thailand but another opportunity came up and I was offered a fantastic contract at a school in Doha.

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

Gosh! The tax-free salary and all the ex-pat benefits that go with it. Doha is a very very safe city and the school has some wonderful professional development opportunities. I am currently being trained up to be a program manager for Cambridge University as the school has recently been accredited as a teacher training centre for Cambridge diploma courses. Fantastic opportunities lie ahead. In terms of the money......well I am able to put away 200,000 baht a month into my Thai bank account (transfer every month)

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

Everything. Thailand is where my home is and I will retire there. I keep my Thai up to speed by constant online practice and of course I visit the ajarn discussion forum regularly.

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

For a new teacher cutting their teeth? Thailand of course, especially if you're young. Qatar pays some great wages but you only get those if you are a 'credentialed' teacher.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Absolutely! See above.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

I started off as a 'tefler' in Thailand. Enjoyed teaching so much that I went back to the UK to do my PGCE and NQT year. Have never looked back since. Thailand gave me the opportunity to be a teacher and to realise that teaching can be an extremely rewarding career and not just financially.............so dreams are possible to be realised.