From the Philippines to Bangkok: This is Raine’s Life at Agoda
- Raine Blanquisco
- E-Learning Developer, CEG
- Lived in Bangkok since 2022
Before joining Agoda, I had a background in Multimedia, starting in Film Production, Sound Design, and Graphic Design before discovering my passion for e-Learning. Post-pandemic, I felt the need for a change and began exploring opportunities in the Learning & Development field. While browsing online, I came across Agoda’s job opening, which included relocation to Bangkok. It felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my skills with a fresh start in a vibrant city.
I had traveled to Bangkok before, so I knew Bangkok was a lively and culturally rich city, full of exciting things to do. Its proximity to the Philippines made the move feel even more comfortable and familiar.
A Day in the Life of the Customer Support’s Learning & Development Team
In my role as an E-Learning Developer, I spend my days creating e-Learning materials such as e-Learning modules, videos, job aids, simulations, and other resources to support the learning and development of our Customer Support Team. The Customer Support team (internally called the Customer Experience Group) is one of the biggest departments, with more than 3,000 team members worldwide, including in our global offices such as Beijing, Budapest, Cairo, Gurugram, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, and Yokohama.
Each project involves close collaboration with stakeholders and the Design & Development team to brainstorm ideas and ensure the materials meet the needs of our learners. Recently, I’ve been working on Career Development Academies—programs designed to help employees upskill and explore roles in different teams within Customer Support. This project has shown me how important it is to provide growth opportunities within the company and how these programs can empower learners to advance in their careers.
Why Agoda is an Exciting Workplace
Agoda has empowered me to grow both personally and professionally. Working here has allowed me to meet amazing people from all over the world, and being in such a dynamic environment has pushed me to take on new challenges and further develop my skills.
I’m fortunate to have a very supportive team that values collaboration and encourages growth. Working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds has been a great learning experience, and I’ve gained so much from these collaborations. Agoda’s culture of innovation and teamwork makes every day exciting and rewarding.
Growing at Agoda: A Culture of Learning and Discovery
Agoda offers plenty of internal opportunities for career growth, allowing everyone to explore different roles and take on new challenges. I believe this culture of discovery and learning not only helps people grow in their careers but also makes work more exciting and meaningful.
The learning opportunities I’ve had at Agoda over the past two years have been valuable. In our team, we do cross-skilling, and enable each other’s success, which has helped me extend my skills beyond development to designing eLearnings. I’m fortunate to have a supportive team and managers who guide and inspire me to grow and develop in my role.
My Life in Bangkok: Fast-Paced, Comfortable, and Endless Possibilities
I enjoy exploring new things and cuisines – there are endless options to try here. I also love attending exhibitions and events around the city, which always offer something unique and exciting. Living in Bangkok has made it easy to travel, whether it’s exploring other parts of Thailand with friends and colleagues or visiting destinations outside the country. It has also enabled me to try new activities like running and have participated in races with my peers to stay active. Recently, I’ve been focusing on physical training to improve my fitness. All of these experiences have been made possible by living in Bangkok.
Building Community in Bangkok: Cultural Exchanges & a Home Away from Home
I relocated to Bangkok alone, but Agoda made the move incredibly easy by providing support every step of the way. From visa assistance to temporary accommodation for the first month, the relocation process was smooth and stress-free. My colleagues were welcoming from the start, recommending places to visit and even teaching me some survival Thai phrases, which have been incredibly useful.
I’ve built close connections with my colleagues in Bangkok. We bond over great conversations and shared meals, typically every office day, and they’ve made the city feel like home. These meaningful connections have made my journey in Bangkok both easier and more fulfilling.
Whenever I miss Filipino food, I usually cook at home as it’s easy to find the ingredients, but luckily, when I don’t feel like cooking, it’s also easy to find here in Bangkok. Filipino restaurants like Kalamansi Kafe in Sathorn or Lola’s Kitchen near the Philippine Embassy offer dining and delivery options. For many Filipino Catholics, attending mass at Holy Redeemer Church in Phloen Chit adds to the feeling of being close to home.
My advice for newcomers? Take it one step at a time. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your peers; they’re there to guide and support you as you settle in.
Cost of Living in Bangkok: Affordable & Convenient
Basic necessities like food are relatively cheaper here compared to my home country- for example, a meal at a casual dining spot costs around 80 THB here, compared to 180 PHP (~100 THB) in the Philippines. A dozen eggs cost about 60 THB (~90 PHP) in Bangkok, while back home, it’s around 120 PHP (~70 THB). For rent, in Bangkok you can get a fully furnished, 40 sqm flat in the city center of Bangkok for 20k THB (~34k PHP) against 25k PHP (~15k tHB) for a similar size but unfurnished flat. In Bangkok, condominiums usually offer the convenience of access to the pool and a gym as well.
Final Thoughts: Why Agoda is the Place to Be
If you’re thinking about relocating to Bangkok for Agoda, just go for it. Think of it as the experience of a lifetime. Agoda is a company where you can have fun while learning and growing and living in Bangkok is an adventure that’s both exciting and memorable. The opportunities for personal and professional growth, combined with the vibrant lifestyle of Bangkok, make it a decision you won’t regret.
