In this interview, you’ll hear from Arleth Nelson Cooper, a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Thailand. Arleth shares what daily life looks like, the work being done, and how service has shaped their personal and professional growth. You’ll learn about housing, cultural differences, project work, language learning, and what it’s like to live and work in a new country. This interview offers a real look into Peace Corps service and what future volunteers can expect.
Table of Contents
- Volunteer Experience and Motivation
- Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
- Surprises and Challenges
- Advice and Support
- Practical Tips and Language Learning
- Social Identity
- Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. What do you do as a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Thailand?
I am currently serving as a Teachers Empowerment for Student Success (TESS) volunteer in central Thailand. More specifically, I work closely with two Thai counterparts in a local school to integrate more student-centered practices and strengthen English instruction.
Every day looks a little different, but each week, I co-teach grades 1 through 8 to about 100 students, plan lessons with my counterparts, and model interactive teaching methods that build our students’ confidence and engagement.
Outside of the classroom, I help lead several student activities, including an after-school study session on Mondays and an English cooking club every Friday. These activities have given our students an additional opportunity to practice English in a fun, low-pressure environment.
I usually start my day at 6:30 a.m. with a coffee and a shower. I head to school about 7:30 and pick up some street food on the way. Typically, I’ll get Moo Ping (pork skewers) and Khao Neow (sticky rice). Then we have morning assembly at 8, and depending on the day, I’ll go straight to teaching or prepping materials for class. We all eat around 11:30. The teachers also eat together, family style, with dishes like Guay Theow (noodles), Pad Krapow (stir-fry basil), or Khao Man Gai (chicken and rice). Lunch is over at 12:45, it’s back to teaching, and we finish school at 3:45 pm.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, there are pop-up markets near my house I’ll shop at occasionally, but most days, you’ll see me on my evening walk around town, followed by dinner, and I’m in bed by 8 pm.
2. Why did you decide to join the Peace Corps and serve in Thailand?
There are many reasons I decided to join the Peace Corps, but if I had to narrow it down, it stems from my family’s story and history of international service. My grandfather was/is a Moravian missionary in Honduras. Even though I chose a non-religious path, his commitment to community and service shaped how I understand helping others and my identity as a
Honduran and an immigrant to the U.S., growing up with those values, and later getting my degree in International Politics and World Affairs, pushed me to think deeply about access to opportunities and how people support one another across cultures. Peace Corps service felt like a great way to bring those values and interests together.
As for how service in Thailand came about, it really came down to fate. I applied under “serve where most needed,” and because I’m a native Spanish speaker, I was initially invited to serve in Ecuador. When that placement fell through, I was then considered for Thailand instead. Excited to serve anywhere, I accepted the offer. Looking back, I’m grateful for how everything unfolded. Throughout my service, so many moments have reinforced that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. What is your housing like in Thailand?
I got pretty lucky with my housing situation, and I have a house all to myself. I live in a rural community, and at first, the search for a house was challenging because options were limited.
I had almost lost hope when I found out a house right across the street from my school had become available. It ended up being the perfect fit and has become a place that feels like home.
I live by myself in a small one-bedroom house with a traditional Thai outdoor kitchen. It’s simple, but it’s perfect in every way for me. I live on the same property as my landlady (Paa Sao), attached to her house is a mini store where I can get eggs, bottled water, and some ingredients.
Because there are no large grocery stores nearby, I rely on local markets for most of my food.
This has helped me connect more deeply with my community, practice my Thai conversational skills, and expand my taste buds. One thing I know I’ll take home with me when I finish my service is my love for Pad Krapow.
4. What moments or interactions stand out during your service?
One of the moments that stands out most during my service is interacting with my community and seeing the warmth, curiosity, and kindness that people show every day. From school activities to simple daily encounters, these interactions have given me a deeper appreciation for how people connect and support one another.
A small but meaningful example is a common Thai greeting: “Gin khao yang?” which translates to “Have you eaten?” I hear it multiple times a day, from my walk to school, bike rides around town, or visits to the temple. It’s a simple question, but it reflects the genuinely caring nature of the Thai people and their attentiveness to one another. Moments like these make me feel connected to the community and constantly remind me of the value of everyday kindness.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about living or working in Thailand?
What has surprised me most about living and working in Thailand is the difference in approach to work and daily life. In the U.S., I became accustomed to being a very schedule-oriented and task-focused person, but here I’ve had to adjust to a more “sabai sabai” lifestyle, emphasizing being relaxed, flexible, and focused on relationships as much as deadlines.
Last-minute class cancellations are common, and school events often require preparation days that disrupt our usual schedule. At first, I struggled a bit in understanding and figuring out the flow, but over time, I’ve learned to adapt, and it’s been a valuable lesson in patience and adaptability, and it’s given me a new perspective on how work, community, and life can coexist in a more balanced way.
6. What challenges have you faced in your Education work, and how did you respond?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my education work has been finding ways to implement change while navigating the hierarchical structure that is highly valued in Thailand. As a 23-year-old volunteer, I sometimes find myself in a delicate position between introducing new ideas and respecting seniority.
I’ve learned that meaningful, sustainable change doesn’t happen all at once. By prioritizing relationships, listening carefully to my counterparts, and taking small, incremental steps, I’ve been able to support new teaching practices while honoring the cultural norms and building trust. This approach has helped me balance innovation with respect, which is essential for long-term impact.
7. What secondary projects have you worked on during your service?
One of the projects my counterpart and I have worked on during my service was this year’s English Cooking club. We wanted to find a fun way to keep students engaged while also incorporating language practice and cultural learning. Each week, we take turns teaching recipes. My counterpart focuses on Thai dishes like desserts and treats, while I teach recipes from the U.S. and Latin America, like French toast and arroz con leche.
This club has given students a hands-on, interactive way to practice English, learn about different cultures, and build confidence in speaking. While it’s been a lot of work, it’s also been incredibly rewarding to see them enjoy the process while connecting with language in a meaningful way.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to future Education volunteers in Thailand?
My advice to future education volunteers in Thailand would be to approach your service with patience and an open mind. Now, only having a few months left of service, I often reflect back on situations and how I handled them a year and a half ago versus how I handle them now. Situations that used to fluster me and make me upset, like class cancellations or miscommunications, I now handle with a lot more patience and a listening ear.
It’s going to be hard at times; there will be moments when you feel like nobody understands you or cares, but your work is appreciated. I also think a lot about the quote “The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit, and it’s so true; it reminds me that growth and impact take time.
9. How did Peace Corps training prepare you for service?
Pre-service training (PST) did a great job preparing us as much as possible for service. I came in with very little classroom teaching experience, so being in the classroom was very much a learning process. Of course, training can only teach you so much, and it takes time to get used to managing a classroom, including moments when you have to be firm with students who misbehave.
I especially appreciated the cultural and language training. Cultural learning was essential, especially since you are often the only volunteer in your community, and it helped me understand and connect with the people around me. Language learning was challenging at first. I remember thinking during the first week that I would never be able to learn Thai.
However, the structured methods and consistent practice built a strong foundation that made using the language in real-life situations much more manageable.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. What would you tell future volunteers to pack—or leave behind?
Volunteers don’t know the exact placement of their site until PST is over, so I packed a lot of “survival gear” that now just seems silly. Things like a lifetime supply of batteries, small solar lights, and a filtered drinking straw. Most of which I have never used.
Save some room in your luggage. In Thailand specifically, there are online shopping sites like Shoppee and Lazada that work almost anywhere in the country. It’s much easier to shop online or locally than to bring everything from home.
As for what I wish I had packed more of for Thailand, it would be work clothing in a range of colors. Many schools and offices assign specific colors for each day: yellow, blue, red, pink, green, purple, and certain months or events, like the King’s birthday or mourning periods, have specific dress expectations. I didn’t come with all the colors I needed, so I’ve had to do some shopping.
11. How has language learning been for you in Thailand?
Before coming to Thailand, I did not know anything about the Thai language. During PST, we all learned Central Thai, which was helpful since I was later placed there. I thought having Spanish and English under my belt would make learning Thai easier, but adding a tonal language was much harder than I expected.
Our language tutors were also excellent, breaking down concepts and slowing the pace when we needed extra help. Once I arrived at my site, I met weekly with the Thai teacher at my school for a one-hour tutoring session, which helped me build my skills further. I’ve since learned some reading and writing. Practicing on my own, avoiding constant transition into English, and learning the alphabet early were all key factors in making progress.
While I still struggle with longer-winded questions and explaining things in detail, I feel pretty confident in my day-to-day use of Thai at school and around my town.
Social Identity
12. How has your personal identity shaped your service experience?
My personal identity has shaped my service in ways I didn’t fully expect. Volunteers have a unique opportunity to represent Americans, and for me, that means sharing both my identity as an American and as a Honduran. Many people here have a specific idea of what an “American” looks or acts like, and I don’t always fit that stereotype. Students and community members sometimes ask why I look a certain way or why aspects of my culture don’t match their expectations of a “typical American.”
I’ve learned to use these moments as opportunities to shift that narrative. I get to show that the U.S. isn’t just one culture or one type of person, and that being American can encompass many backgrounds, languages, and histories. At the same time, I’ve had many chances to bring Honduras into the classroom, sharing food, family traditions, and language, which has made my service more personal and meaningful.
A fun moment was making arroz con leche with English cooking club students during Hispanic Heritage month. Although my students didn’t like the dish, I am proud that they tried it.
13. What advice do you have for volunteers who share your identity?
My advice for volunteers who share my identity, or any identity that differs from the “typical” American, is to embrace it and remember that, especially in rural communities, you’ll often be one of the only foreigners people encounter. Some questions may feel uncomfortable at first, but they usually come from a place of curiosity rather than judgment.
For me, it’s been important to think about how I represent both Honduras and the U.S., and to share my background in ways that allow students and community members to learn about both cultures.
Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
14. If you share content online, how has that shaped your service?
Sharing content online has been a fun way to document my service. My friends and family enjoy seeing and hearing about life in Thailand, from daily activities going on here to the cultural differences I encounter while working at a school. I keep it pretty real with my close friends and family about the beautiful things I’ve gotten to experience, but also the hard parts of service.
I’ve also gotten to write a series of articles called Letters from Thailand, published in my alma mater’s Global Studies newsletter, covering various topics related to service. It’s been a meaningful way to reflect on this experience and share it with a broader audience.
I also recommend that anyone starting service consider making a blog. Before I came to Thailand, I started one, and I write monthly updates on events, activities, travel, etc. Not only is it a great way to document these two years and be able to look back on, but living in a 13-hour time difference from people at home can make it very hard to stay in contact. By writing monthly, people can see and check in with you even from thousands of miles away.
15. What final advice or thoughts would you share with future volunteers?
My final advice would really be to fully embrace the experience, both the highs and the challenges. Take the time to explore your community on your bike (something I wish I had done sooner), try new foods, participate in local festivities, and build relationships where you can.
Some of the most memorable moments and lessons come from everyday interactions, putting yourself out there, whether it’s chatting with neighbors, going to a local festival, or just observing life in your own town.
Don’t get too focused on the “getting it right” all the time; there is no “perfect” volunteer.
Being present, curious, and open to learning will make your service meaningful in ways you can’t anticipate.
Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps? If you’re curious about service and ready for something new, apply today. Like Arleth, you can live abroad, work with communities, and grow in ways you didn’t expect. Apply to the Peace Corps and take the next step.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or Thailand Government.
