Thailand
Applications for Thailand PY21 are now OPEN!
Tentative Program Dates: June 13 - July 31
Orientation
June 14 - 16
Bangkok
Midpoint Break
June 2 - 4
Phitsanulok
Closing Ceremony
July 31
TBD
Quick Facts
- Location: Provinces of Nakhon Sawan and Phichit
- Language Requirement: None
- Setting: Both rural and urban
- Duration: 7 weeks
- Volunteers: 10-12 Volunteers
- Living Conditions: Relatively modern
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
After orientation in Bangkok, volunteers will travel to their teaching location and teach for two weeks. Volunteers will reconvene with their fellow volunteers after the two weeks for a weekend trip to Chiang Mai. During this midpoint break, volunteers will swap stories and teaching ideas with the fellow volunteers, explore the wonders of a new area, and visit interesting sights. Midpoint break serves as a memorable experience that
connects volunteers with one another with an experience they will not soon forget.
After midpoint break, volunteers will travel back to their original teaching location for another four weeks. The program will then conclude with a one day closing session. Closing session is a mandatory session that is an opportunity to reconnect with other volunteers, wrap up their time in Thailand and provide feedback to the program they have participated in. After the wrap-up meeting, volunteers are free to go.
Traveling and exploring Thailand further is recommended!
The Ideal Volunteer:
Host Community
Volunteers will be staying in Phichit and Nakhon Sawan, two
neighbouring provinces in North Central Thailand approximately 210 miles (or a 4 hour drive) north of Bangkok. The provinces are made up of rural towns and villages. The capital of Nakhon Sawan is a bigger city with more facilities. Most have paved, pot-
holed, roads but lack infrastructure. Both provinces are located on swampland, so be
prepared for mosquitoes, lizards and all kinds of bugs. Volunteers should prepare to bring their own bug spray as it tends to be more expensive in country. Malaria is not a problem, but certain diseases should be vaccinated against before travel - see your physician or a travel vaccine specialist before departure, and contact your Program Director.
All houses have running water but might not have automatic flushing toilets. Most houses will have air conditioning and all will have running water. Internet should be
accessible from all houses and/or schools, but not convenient to Western standards. Host families are very hospitable and host communities are very friendly. Most are Buddhist and may participate in religious ceremonies. Weather is humid with intense
rains, as wet season starts in June. No need to worry, it is not as dreadful as it sounds! Volunteers should remember to bring comfortable and breathable clothes as they will be sweating frequently.
Teaching
The teaching situation will vary for each individual school and for each volunteer. Volunteers will be teaching at public school during the normal school year in Thailand.
Volunteers may be teaching at elementary, middle or high schools, or a combination of
all. Ages may range quite a lot, from kindergarten to high school and even adults. Volunteers might find one class they have prepared for cancelled without notice and
they might be asked to teach an entirely different class. This requires flexibility and patience from the volunteer.
Class size may also vary, ranging from ten to twenty or more individual students. Every school will have basic supplies such as whiteboards and markers. Most schools even have small TV’s with HDMI ports for laptops and powerpoints as well as projectors.
However, it is important not to completely rely on having these materials at all times due to the variable teaching schedule volunteers are likely to have. Volunteers are encouraged to speak English as much as possible and to encourage students to try to speak English.
Service Project
The service project is a requirement that includes each volunteer teaching an after school program. The program may range from 3-5 hours per week. For example, one volunteer taught how to play a piano melody on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after school for one hour each day, others have planted trees or taught dancing classes. The after school program may range from teaching extra English lessons after school, teaching your favorite sport, or doing anything else that helps the local community.
Some Awesome things about Thailand!
meet your program director, Hannah!
Hannah Fase is a senior majoring in World Politics at Leiden University College. She is born and raised in The Netherlands and hopes to bring some more European vibes to Learning Enterprises. She spent the past summer in Thailand, and had the time of her life! Hannah will return to Thailand in 2020 as Program Director and is beyond excited. She is very passionate about education and equal opportunities. Some other interests include politics, debate, photography and the Sabai-Sabai Thai lifestyle.
Interested applicants can contact Hannah at thailand@learningenterprises.org