Penny Cavanagh
Native Speaking Teacher

My name is Penny Cavanagh. In Calgary, Canada I was a retail manager for about 7 years and did some classical singing and wood carving on the side. I am permanently 25 years old – now plus about 11 or so years - and have been working for Hess for just over 2 years. My first 10 months were in Hualien and the remainder in Taipei County.

I have had an incredible experience in Taiwan. I am a shy person but I am also adventurous. I have had the opportunity to teach English with Hess as well as work at main office as a project coordinator and in Singapore as a summer camp support staffer. This year I took on the challenge of becoming an HNST and work quite a busy schedule!
Teaching overseas is overwhelmingly good for you, heart and soul. You have a chance to teach wonderful kids, travel inexpensively, meet terrific people, and test yourself to the limit living in a different culture. The most valuable and portable things I own are my experience and education. I haven't just taken a bite out of my debt; I paid it all off – about $8,000 Canadian in my first year. In my second year, I saved $10,000 after I paid off my return ticket and my college tuition and books of $2,500. I feel great about how much better my finances are now and I haven't had to scrimp by. I have traveled to lots of places like Hong Kong, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and around the island. I have even taken up the very Taiwanese past time of shopping to no ill effect! Haha. I have probably read about 150 books and had time to enter a short story writing contest and will do it again this year. It is really interesting here and such a great experience.

I am now off to start the next chapter of my life and return to school in Canada enriched in more ways than one. Warmest wishes to you and have fun in Taiwan!

Penny