One of the most exciting developments to come about for me since the launch of World Tea Academy’s certification program last year has been ‘meeting’ people from all over the world. I committed to the program because I knew online education would appeal to people who wanted to have access to professional-level tea education and certification without having to spend so much of their time and money on travelling half-way across the US just to take one class. But I didn’t anticipate how many people outside the US would see the advantage of not needing to deal with international travel or travel half-way around the world for that opportunity.
Everyone who signs up for our first class, CORE.01 – Essentials of Camellia Sinensis receives a box with the Cupping Starter Kit - two professional tea cupping sets, a thermometer, timer and scale - as well as several teas. Each tea, carefully selected to complement the lecture materials, will be used for the sensory evaluation exercises in the third week of class. As of February, 2014, we have shipped those boxes to Australia, Canada, Chile, Columbia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to all over the US.
I think the international participation in the program is due not only to the convenience of the 
flexible schedule and the cost-savings that can be realized, but also to tea’s “internationalness.” It enriches the experience for everyone participating in the program. Not only do I, as instructor, have the chance to work with people from around the world, but all of the students communicate and interact with each other through the weekly classroom assignments that are posted online throughout the class and on the classroom bulletin board. It provides a great platform for professional networking and international socializing that I encourage everyone involved to take full advantage of. It really underscores the World in World Tea Academy.
About World Tea Academy
World Tea Academy provides professional, accessible, comprehensive and affordable tea education to individuals pursuing high-level training and certification in the tea industry. Its robust online education provides individuals the flexibility necessary to fulfill personal and professional goals while gaining exemplary training in tea. Led by well-respected and accomplished tea educator, Donna Fellman, with the support and oversight of several expert Strategic Technical Advisors, accreditations available include: Certified Tea Specialist; Certified Tea Professional; Certified Tea Sommelier; Certified Tea Health Expert.
Everyone who signs up for our first class, CORE.01 – Essentials of Camellia Sinensis receives a box with the Cupping Starter Kit - two professional tea cupping sets, a thermometer, timer and scale - as well as several teas. Each tea, carefully selected to complement the lecture materials, will be used for the sensory evaluation exercises in the third week of class. As of February, 2014, we have shipped those boxes to Australia, Canada, Chile, Columbia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to all over the US.
I think the international participation in the program is due not only to the convenience of the 
flexible schedule and the cost-savings that can be realized, but also to tea’s “internationalness.” It enriches the experience for everyone participating in the program. Not only do I, as instructor, have the chance to work with people from around the world, but all of the students communicate and interact with each other through the weekly classroom assignments that are posted online throughout the class and on the classroom bulletin board. It provides a great platform for professional networking and international socializing that I encourage everyone involved to take full advantage of. It really underscores the World in World Tea Academy.
About World Tea Academy
World Tea Academy provides professional, accessible, comprehensive and affordable tea education to individuals pursuing high-level training and certification in the tea industry. Its robust online education provides individuals the flexibility necessary to fulfill personal and professional goals while gaining exemplary training in tea. Led by well-respected and accomplished tea educator, Donna Fellman, with the support and oversight of several expert Strategic Technical Advisors, accreditations available include: Certified Tea Specialist; Certified Tea Professional; Certified Tea Sommelier; Certified Tea Health Expert.