My Blog Page while at Salisa Language School in Pattaya by Gabriel Boltenhagen Blog # 33

My Internship in Thailand: A Human and Professional Adventure 

It all starts... with an email 

My journey to Thailand didn't begin the day I landed on Thai soil — it started much earlier, in November 2025, from my desk back in France. That day, I wrote an email to a school based in Pattaya, hoping to secure an internship. The very next morning, I opened my inbox to find a reply already waiting: my application had caught their interest. That one simple message was about to change everything. 

From that moment on, things moved quickly. I sent my CV, researched the school, and got in touch with Paul, who would become my main point of contact on the ground. What struck me straight away was how responsive and genuinely helpful he was. Rather than just answering my questions, he proactively suggested different ways he could support me from the moment I arrived in Pattaya. Right then, I knew this internship was going to be a great experience. 

Five months passed between the acceptance of my application and my departure — five months during which Paul and I stayed in regular contact to prepare for my arrival. Throughout that entire preparation period, I never once felt left on my own. I was supported every step of the way, and that support made a real difference in helping me approach this adventure with confidence. 

Arrival: Bangkok, a Grab, and two hours of sleep 

On April 25th, 2026, I landed in Bangkok. Thanks to all the preparation beforehand, I knew exactly what to do as soon as I stepped off the plane. I booked a Grab — Thailand's equivalent of Uber — headed towards Pattaya, about two hours away. The ride went by in a half-asleep haze, and before I knew it, I had arrived in this city I had never seen before. 

Since my internship wasn't starting until Monday the 27th, I had a full weekend to explore. I took the opportunity to rent a scooter, ride around the city, get my bearings, and — most importantly — time my commute from my apartment in Jomtien to the school. There was no way I was going to be late on day one! It was a great weekend of discovery, even if I quickly realised that life in Thailand works very differently from life in France. 

Like most new arrivals, I made a few unnecessary purchases in the first few days — not yet knowing the local ropes: where to buy things, how much they should cost, how to avoid the tourist traps. It took me about a week to find my feet and settle into a more balanced routine. 

First days at the school: a warm welcome 

On Monday morning, I walked through the school doors for the first time. Since Paul was away for the week, it was Cillian Hayes, one of the school's TEFL teachers, who welcomed me in. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. I also got to meet Jazz, a TEFL student from Wales who had been living in Thailand for two years. We sat down for a coffee together and had a long chat — a genuinely warm welcome that immediately put me at ease. 

I then sat in on one of Jazz's training sessions — a simulated English lesson as part of her TEFL course. It was a fascinating experience that gave me a real insight into how the school works and how English is taught in a practical setting. The rest of the week unfolded in that same atmosphere of exchange and discovery, as we waited for Paul to return. 

Wednesday finally came, and with it my first proper meeting with Paul. We got straight to work: I started by sorting and organising student enrolment files — exactly the kind of task that called upon skills I had developed during my first year of BTS SAM back in France: using Excel to structure and analyse data, managing documents in Word, and applying careful administrative processes. It was reassuring to see my training put to immediate, concrete use. 

Life in Pattaya: a city full of surprises 

Outside of work, life in Pattaya has been full of pleasant surprises. Food is probably what has impressed me the most. Here, you eat incredibly well for next to nothing. The Pad Thai served at small street stalls, the stir-fried rice with vegetables and chicken, the spicy soups... every meal is a new discovery. Thai street food is generous, flavourful, and wonderfully affordable — it's easy to understand why it has such a strong reputation around the world. 

The city itself is lively, vibrant, and at times overwhelming — but that's exactly what makes it so fascinating. Between the seafront, the local markets, the temples, and the constant buzz of the streets, there isn't a single day that goes by without learning something new about Thai culture. Adapting to a different pace of life, to a language you don't understand, to new social codes — all of this builds a genuine capacity for adaptability. 

Muay Thai: when the internship becomes a sporting adventure 

Two weeks into my stay in Pattaya, one thing became obvious: I

was in Thailand, the home of Muay Thai, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of that. As a big martial arts fan — whether through the UFC or ONE Championship — I decided to sign up for a training camp alongside my internship, to learn the traditional sport of this country. I chose the Venum Training Camp, which I had heard great things about before even leaving France. 

I signed up for one month, and from the very first sessions, it was a revelation. Despite the aches and pains that quickly made themselves known in my legs and arms, I fell in love with the sport. Muay Thai is a demanding, technical, physically intense discipline — and that's exactly what draws me to it. What makes the experience even more special is the environment: I train alongside professional fighters and highly skilled competitors, all under the guidance of an experienced coach. 

The schedule is intense: two sessions a day. The first runs from 8am to 9am, right before my internship, and focuses on traditional Muay Thai — fundamentals, bag work, combinations — alongside the camp's fighters. The second, from 5pm to 6pm, is dedicated to sparring. I won't lie: there are mornings when I walk into the school still feeling the previous session in my muscles... but always with a smile on my face. Combining the internship with daily training is one of the things that makes this whole Thai experience truly unique. 

What this internship is giving me 

Even though the internship is still in its early stages, I can already see how much it is giving me. Professionally, I have the opportunity to put real skills into practice in an international environment — something very different from doing a placement in France. On a personal level, travelling alone to the other side of the world, organising everything myself, adapting to a radically different culture: all of this builds a kind of independence and self-confidence that no classroom can teach. 

This internship is also about opening up to the world. Working in an international school, getting to know teachers and students from the UK, Thailand, and beyond — it's a reminder that the professional world extends far beyond national borders. For a BTS SAM student, that international perspective is a genuine asset for the future. 

TEFL training: tuning my ear to English 

As my internship moved into its final stretch, my role within the school evolved once again. In early June, I joined the TEFL course but for a different reason than my fellow trainees, Lu and Tanya. While they were training to become English teachers, my objective was slightly different: spending this month immersed in the TEFL programme was, for me, above all a way to train my ear to the English language, surrounded by native speakers and immersed in real teaching methodology something no classroom back in France could have offered me. 

This immersive month also gave me the chance to step outside the school's walls. Alongside Lu and Tanya, I had the opportunity to take part in an English class at Srisuvit School, a local Thai school, where the two of them delivered the lesson while I assisted them throughout the session. It was a genuinely enriching experience: the Thai students were wonderfully kind and curious, eager to practise and to interact with us, and I came away from that day with a real sense of cultural exchange  a moment I look back on with a lot of fondness. 

A setback in the ring 

Just one week before that day at Srisuvit School, however, my Muay Thai adventure took a more difficult turn. During a sparring session, repeated low kicks left me with a serious hematoma, and I ended up being taken to hospital. It was a real ordeal, both physically and mentally the kind of moment that makes you question your limits. But looking back, I see it as a test that toughened my mindset rather than a setback that defined my stay. It reminded me that Muay Thai, behind its beauty and discipline, is also a sport that demands real resilience and I came out of that experience stronger for it. 

Last discoveries: Koh Larn 

Outside of the school and the training camp, I made sure to keep exploring during my free time. One of the highlights of these final weeks was a trip to Koh Larn, an island just off the coast of Pattaya. It was Mam, one of the school's teachers, who recommended it to me  and she was absolutely right to. The island turned out to be one of the most beautiful places I visited during my entire stay, with turquoise water and a calm, postcard-like atmosphere that felt worlds away from the buzz of Pattaya. It was the perfect way to close out my time exploring Thailand. 

Saying goodbye: gratitude and a promise to return 

Looking back on these months in Pattaya, I can honestly say this internship gave me far more than I expected professionally, personally, and humanly. I'm leaving with a touch of sadness, because I've grown genuinely attached to this place, to the people, and to the rhythm of life I built here. But I'm also leaving with absolute certainty: I will come back to Thailand. 

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Paul, who, from that very first email back in November 2025 right up until my last day, gave me one of the most enriching experiences of my life. His support, his trust, and the opportunities he gave me made all the difference. I also want to thank every teacher and every member of staff at the school  for their warmth, their kindness, and the welcome they gave me from day one. I'm going to miss them all. But this isn't a goodbye  it's simply a "see you soon." 

 by Gabriel Boltenhagen