Getting Sick While Teaching English Abroad: My Experience in Thailand

Getting sick abroad can be one of the hardest parts of teaching overseas, especially when you are far from home and navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system. This personal story shares one teacher’s experience of becoming seriously ill while teaching English in Thailand.

For anyone considering teaching English in Thailand, this post offers an honest look at medical care, travel insurance, support on the ground, and the emotional reality of being unwell in a foreign country.

It was my first day as Teacher Ashley when I began to get sick. I had terrible stomach cramps that got so bad I was doubled-over and struggling to breathe by lunchtime. Later that night, a friend found me sobbing, down on all-fours and attempting to crawl to her door. At the hospital, nobody could tell me exactly what was wrong: I was given tests and painkillers and a bag of random pills to take home.

A couple of days later, I was bedbound still and the painkillers had begun to wear off. The prescribed pills were doing nothing and in my neck, I was beginning to feel pulsating heat. That evening, the pain in my stomach and back was even more severe, to the point where I became paralysed by it. After a while I even started to hallucinate from the burning sensation on my neck which had turned into to some sort of bloody-wound that was crusting at the sides and itchy as hell. It was almost midnight but, panicking, I text the only other person I knew was in Bangkok: Mike Maitland. He stayed with me all night in the hospital, showing me movie trailers and silly videos whilst pints of blood were drawn from me and an IV hung out of my arm. The next day, I was given new pills and sent home and slowly but surely they began to work.

Over the next few weeks, I returned to that same hospital 3 or 4 more times for check-ups. They eventually told me that the pain was from a urine infection, caused by severe dehydration, and that the trouble with my neck was in fact from a Rove beetles’ blood. I'd never heard of this insect either, but after doing extensive research into the little bugger I learned that their blood causes blistering and severe dermatitis. Bingo.

I've written this piece in a very matter-of-fact manner, I know. It sounds a little detached but that's not how it was at the time. Believe me, I was terrified and, at times, felt very alone. I pushed through and came out the other side so much more determined to make every day count while I was away; that’s the silver lining to my experience. No matter how far you go, the second you're run-down you want home comforts and family and that is by far the hardest part about getting sick in a foreign country.

Medical care in Thailand

As far as medical care in Thailand goes, Bangkok is pretty sophisticated. The hospitals are always clean and often state-of-the-art and they function much more effectively than anything I’ve ever experienced in the UK. Mike took me to Bumrungrad International Hospital when he picked me up; it’s expensive, for sure, but he wasn’t the only person I met that had praised the hospital staff and their competence. The staff at that hospital were able to diagnose me within the hour. At Bumrungrad you have to pay for a consultation, every time, which can range from £10-£20 depending on your situation. When I was in with a doctor or specialist, they would tell me what the function of each prescribed pill was but the second you ask about price they’re rushing you out of the office and down to the prescription collection point. Probably before you change your mind.

Every hospital I went to seemed to only be interested in one thing: money. They will try to milk you dry: if they start marching you down a hall, telling you about the influenza vaccine and somehow you end up in a chair with a needle in your arm - you've fallen into their trap. And, yes, that did happen to me. Be aware and don’t let them pressure you; at the end of the day it’s your choice. All in all, I ended up spending around £370 on hospital bills. I could’ve claimed it back on my travel insurance with Flexicover, but I later realised that to claim anything I had to pay an excess of £300 so really my return would only be £70 and that didn’t quite seem worth the hassle. Try to find an insurance policy with minimal excess payment and always read the small print: for example, mine wouldn’t allow claims to be made on injuries that happened during most outdoor activities including jetskiing and hiking. Don’t just go for the cheapest one like I did, spending extra money at the start can go a long way if anything does happen to you.

Advice if you get sick while teaching abroad in Thailand

Finally, a little advice from myself and other people I know who have been sick in Thailand:

Use your training month to make friends. This seems obvious, but I mean really make an effort - especially if you travelled to the country alone. I was hours away from my friends when we got placed in schools, but knowing that they were at the other end of the phone if I needed them was more than enough some nights.

Be honest with your agent. Agencies are dedicated to making you as happy as possible in your new situation. Remember, they want you to stay with their company for as long as possible so they will do everything in their power to help keep you content.

Take something away with you that reminds you of home. I didn't do this and I can't tell you how many times I wish I could've fallen asleep with the scent of home wrapped around me when I was recovering.

GET THE RECOMMENDED VACCINES. Yeah, they're expensive but bite the bullet. Peace of mind will make your time in your chosen country so much more enjoyable.

Don't jump the gun. Panicking is normal if you get sick but do not scare yourself into going home prematurely. I thought about leaving every single day whilst I lay in different hospital beds but I could not be happier that I fought against those bleak thoughts.

TEFL Heaven is ALWAYS there to give you advice, guidance and a helping hand. During my time on the training island, quite a few people had to make trips to hospital either because of bug bites or stomach problems: the trainers were more than willing to accompany them and make them feel as comfortable as possible. Personally, I cannot tell you how grateful I am to Mike for his help. His company is very special and they care so much about the well-being of their candidates. With TEFL Heaven you are never alone - ask for help whenever you need it.

For anyone considering teaching English in Thailand, this story is a reminder that getting sick abroad can be frightening, but good support and preparation can make all the difference.

Ashley’s experience shows that even the most difficult moments of living abroad can be overcome, and that having the right people around you matters just as much as the adventure itself.