Come On Out: Beyond Borders, Beyond Expectations, Beyond just a Summer Program
By Gwen McKee, Former Director of Communications and Operations
Let me preface this blog by saying: I am not a blogger, nor a student of poetry or words or the English language in any way (so, apologies if this is not written quite as well as it should be). However, that is what makes my experience at Come On Out so incredibly valuable. When I first applied to be an intern at Global English Camp in 2018 after coincidentally opening an email newsletter from my department (for the first time that year), I was certain that I would not receive an invitation to the program. Me, only with my arts and technology background, teach English in Japan? Absurd. However, I quickly discovered that this program (and company as a whole) is about so much more than teaching English. It’s about mentoring the next generation IN ENGLISH about our personal experiences in education and school life, as well as showing them about the world.
In fact, it was this experience in art and technology that gave me the extremely lucky opportunity to take over as the Director of Design & Technology at Come On Out after the program (a title which would later change). Throughout the next four and a half years, I would go on to not only collaborate to run four Global English Camp programs with over 600 yearly participants and over 5,000 students, run a successful internship program of 24, and design, create, and manage five websites and their social media marketing, but also meet my fiancé, build a foundation for my career, meet some of my closest friends, explore the world, and understand what fulfillment in a workplace truly means.
And that is why it is so difficult to say goodbye to this amazing company. Come On Out is a rewarding and interesting place to work, with varied projects and goals. Duties ranged from designing social media graphics to managing website bugs in our teacher scheduling system to collaborating with partners, interns, and contractors all over the world from Japan to Sri Lanka to Spain to South Africa. As exciting as this all was, I must say that the most rewarding part of it all were the ones that allowed me to pass on the opportunities that I received to other young adults.
At our internship program, we created spaces for students and recent graduates to discover their interests and gain experience in fields like web design, curriculum development, and social media analytics. At Come On Out English, Come On Out eTEFL, and Come Online, we created spaces for aspiring English teachers to learn new skills and get paid for teaching students abroad. And of course, at Come On Out Japan’s Global English Camp and Global English Workshop, we allowed non-English teachers to coach and mentor students in Japan, while gaining travel experience and meeting new friends from around the world. It all boils down to these cross-cultural connections and experiences that help us grow. That’s what draws us all in, and that’s what keeps us here.
And now, I’m off to new adventures, across the world again. I met my fiancé and some of my best friends at Global English Camp 2019, and he proposed in Japan during Global English Camp 2023. I’ve moved to London to build a life with him, and I’ll continue to follow (and maybe participate again in) future Global English Camps. I wish all of you the best of luck, thank you for keeping this program alive and thriving, and さようなら!
Here are my best pieces of advice for getting the most out of your English Camp experience:
Be open to exploration! Take advantage of every second that you are in Japan. It’s great to stay comfortable, but if you can, use evenings and weekends to discover new places, walk around your area, and meet up with new friends. Your accommodation may not be similar to what you’re used to, so why not get out of your comfort zone?
Meet new friends! With your shared experiences, you’ll build long-lasting bonds that could take you on other journeys in the future. In GEC 2019, I lived in a dorm with 7 people per room and at least 30 interns at a time. We took advantage of this and spent tons of time together - these are the people that I still talk with to this day.
Don’t get discouraged! My first day at GEC 2019, I lost my voice. I just wasn’t used to talking as much as I did, mainly to fill the silence of my students (who, throughout the week, started speaking more and more). You’re not a bad teacher, your students are just nervous! They will warm up to you, and you will discover what works for you and what does not.
Stay in touch! All staff members at Global English Camp remember each and every program coach. We want to hear from you and are all are open to being contacted and hearing about how things are going. And, if you want to get more involved, contact Brian!
Go with the flow! Not everything may be fun, or what you are used to. Travel requires a certain level of spontaneity, flexibility, and adventure. If you’re able to put aside your creature comforts and arrive with open expectations and values, I can assure you, you’ll have the time of your life!
