Be Like Millie: Experience the Magic of Teaching and Giving Back in Thailand

Last year, I was fortunate to be selected to volunteer at the Baan Mai Khao school in Phuket as part of a three-day camp. When I say this experience squeezed my heart so tightly, I thought it would turn into a diamond. I don’t think I’m exaggerating, but here is why…

For anyone looking to teach in Thailand, moments like this are where the real magic happens—outside the classroom, in the heart of local communities.

From Bangkok to Phuket — A Journey to Remember

On our first day at the school, we were warmly welcomed by the lovely staff and teachers of Baan Mai Khao School. We began planning for the days ahead and were divided into four color teams.

Each team consisted of an international teacher paired with an outstanding BFITS support staff member; this is how our dream teams were formed. I was proud to represent the Red Team alongside Patcha, our former WKM BFITS Program coordinator, which allowed me to let my competitive spirit shine a bit!

Meeting the Students and Feeling the Energy

We first met the students in their assembly hall. In Bangkok, I work in the SNR BFITS Program of Suksanari School, an all-girls secondary school, so looking at the primary students was a bit of a change for me. We all introduced ourselves and boldly called out the names of the students who would become a part of each team.

The room was vibrating with the excitement of all the teams forming. I have to say, I was buzzing after finding out who was on my team. We separated into our designated ‘team meeting areas.’ The red team was out in a little playground with a huge shading tree for us.

This time was the perfect opportunity to get to know each other, play some games, and begin practising for the first challenge, reciting the ‘Be Great’ poem. For those who teach in Thailand, this early bonding stage is what sets the tone for every shared experience.

Building Bonds Through Kindness and Creativity

During our first team meeting, I was overwhelmed by the kindness the students showed one another. The older kids were always eager to help the younger, more reserved ones, while the confident younger students brought an infectious energy that uplifted everyone, even the older students. It was clear that the students’ English abilities varied widely, which made me all the more grateful for Patcha. Together, we truly worked as a team to unite and support the Red Team!

We practiced the poem by replacing words with actions that we came up with together. This stroke of genius would ultimately lead the red team to victory! We made the actions so fun and memorable that even the students who couldn’t remember the words were able to join in using the actions.

One line will always stick with me from the poem because it had the best action: ‘My teacher loves me, because I am great!’ We would all run together into one big hug for ‘my teacher loves me,’ then jump apart and shout the last part of the sentence. Teachers in Thailand often find that these playful learning moments become the most unforgettable ones for students.

Day One Highlights and Evening by the Sea

At the end of day one, we gathered back together in the assembly hall to perform the poem to the other groups, practice our group song, Bruno Mars ‘You Can Count on Me’ which became a bit of an anthem throughout the days of the camp! We ended the first day with some games before we said our goodbyes and headed home.

Our team spent a relaxed late afternoon and evening walking along the sandy beaches together, watching the sunset over the ocean. We wrapped up the day with a delicious Thai dinner full of chatting and laughter.

This whole evening was elevated by the wonderful group of staff we had with us. It’s experiences like these that show why so many choose to teach in Thailand—not just for the work, but for the life you build outside of it.

Arts, Crafts, and Learning Through Play

Day two kicked off bright and early at the school, iced drinks in hand, as we gathered with our teams in the meeting areas to prepare for the day. Soon, the activity rotations were underway, each team taking turns with sessions in arts and crafts, Math, Science, or English. I was in charge of the arts and crafts station, where a bit of organized, sticky chaos took over the classroom.

The creative challenge for the day was origami animals. Thankfully, BFITS had sourced some excellent stencils, which meant our job was to cut along the dotted lines and glue the pieces together, easier said than done, I’ll admit. Despite the fiddly details, the students launched into the task with enthusiasm, bringing their paper creatures to life with impressive care and imagination. The room buzzed with excitement as each child proudly showed off their creation, treating their tiny animals like treasured companions.

In the afternoon, our group had time to rehearse their poem and song, followed by some focused English activities in their workbooks. The energy shifted quickly after lunch with a fun and delightfully messy art project involving paint, several giant canvases, and plenty of eager handprints.

As soon as one student started painting their hands, it quickly caught on across the groups. Each team created its canvas, resulting in four colorful, collaborative pieces. While they may not be gallery-ready masterpieces, they were full of creativity, personality, and the unmistakable charm of 6-12-year-old artists.

Celebrating Achievements and Giving Back

As day two came to an end, each team reunited in the hall for a sing-along and to give out some prizes and praises to a few of the hardworking students from each team. These moments were truly special because we got to highlight some of the most wonderful students and show them how much we recognised and appreciated their kindness and commitment, which made for some truly teary-eyed moments.

Day two evening was a pretty special one for us as we got to have dinner at the Baan Ar-Jor Michelin star restaurant, Toh-Daeng, and I would be lying if I said it wasn’t some of the most delicious food I have eaten in Thailand. All the ingredients were grown locally and freshly prepared; their signature, unique, and local dishes were to die for. The homemade rambutan curry with minced pork was just one of the dishes that will stay in my taste buds.

We spent some time looking around the grounds and the museum whilst learning about the wonderful things the foundation does. Not only do they support Baan Mai Khao School, but they also provide housing for some of the children and help the families and the teachers there.

They give back to the local community by providing jobs and land for farmers to grow, it is really a special place. Volunteering here reminded me that when you teach abroad in Thailand, you’re also becoming part of something much bigger than the classroom.

Final Day — Songs, Smiles, and Tearful Goodbyes

Day three, our final day. After a late night setting up at Baan Ar-Jor for the final day of festivities, we woke up raring to go, and the weather looked down on us with blue sky and a shining sun.

We greeted our lovely students and some of their families who had come to watch the final show of our poem and song, with each team assigned a verse of the iconic ‘you can count on me’ we managed to belt our way through all swaying together and holding hands, letting the three days of friendship flow between students and teachers alike.

After some fun lawn games in the sun, we finally made it inside the hall where we had displayed all the work the students had done, including the huge painted canvases we hung along the side of the building. It was great to see the students so proud to see their work displayed, we all ate a delicious lunch together, then gave out some final prizes and performances of our poems. Some of the students and teachers from Baan Mai Khao School even performed a traditional Thai dance and music for us as a thank you.

The cherry on top was revealing the winning team of our camp, the RED TEAM! The students leapt from their chairs, hugging and celebrating as they received their prizes in front of all students, staff, and teachers. It was a truly heartwarming ending. Then came the goodbyes, swiftly followed by a wave of tears.

I was amazed by how deeply connected we had become in just three days. Parting ways with such incredible people was far more emotional than any of us expected. I can only hope that someday, our paths will cross again. For anyone thinking about teaching in Thailand, this kind of connection is worth every moment.

Gratitude That Lasts a Lifetime

With special thanks to the Baan ar-jor Foundation, Baan Mai Khao School, and, of course, our incredible team at BFITS. I still can’t listen to ‘you can count on me’ without it tugging at my heartstrings. Moments like these are why teachers in Thailand carry their experiences in their hearts forever, long after the school year ends.