Volunteer Internship – Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Nepal

Openmind Projects have a wonderful opportunity for first-time TEFL teachers to gain superb teaching experience and work with an NGO which has been established for 20 years, making a difference in the lives of people in South East Asia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal. Then unfortunately, COVID disrupted. We are now working with a number of provincial schools and local communities in Northeast Thailand on the border of Laos – Nongkhai, and also in the South of Thailand in Krabi and on the Myanmar border.   We will soon restart in Laos. We are currently involved with a project in a 3rd level college which caters specifically for students with physical disabilities. The aim is to enable these students to get ‘work ready’.   Teaching them English and IT skills and introducing career opportunities can transform their lives from being dependent to living independent and full lives,  where they can develop careers and become self-sufficient.  These types of skills can be life-changing for these students.

Opportunities for unpaid Teacher Internship

Opportunities to also teach IT, work with social media, contribute to website, fundraise

-Volunteers will be offered very cheap accommodation in a shared compound with separate small houses surrounding a courtyard.

-Lunch and evening meals will be provided for volunteers – Monday through Friday.

-Full practical volunteer orientation will include important Culture Do’s and Don’ts, Teaching Planning followed by teaching a group of students, some useful language with practical exercises in town, local sightseeing, and information about local and western restaurants/bars, trains, buses and airport information,   where to get a local SIM Card, news and opportunities to arrange weekend tours.

-Volunteers are welcome to come a few days before the orientation.

-Volunteers will be introduced to their school/s, headmasters, teachers and students to ensure you are fully prepared to start at the beginning of Week 2.

-It will be possible to work in more than one school and at the college for disabled students, to gain more experience and meet more local people and friends.

-A Special Certificate will be awarded by OpenmindProjects recognizing the completion of the internship 3-month program and the local  impact interns have made

-Full reference will be given stating the teaching hours completed and local students’ skills achieve

-Full on-the-ground support to all volunteers for their duration working here.   This will cover emergency medical issues and any other situations that may arise

-Weekly team-sharing meetings can enhance a very strong team environment and support for each other whilst on your teaching  and cultural experience journey

-THIS EXPERIENCE WOULD BE WONDERFUL FOR INEXPERIENCED TEACHERS LOOKING TO GET EXPERIENCE BUT ALSO FOR RETIRED OR SEMI-RETIRED PEOPLE WHO REALLY WANT TO HAVE AN ADVENTURE IN A SUPPORTED ENVIRONMENT AND CONTRIBUTE TO PEOPLE WHO WILL BE FOREVER IN YOUR HEART…………..

The cost for this experience is €400.  You will provide your own flights and transport to Nongkhai or Krabi – whichever location you choose to go to. You will also pay for accommodation, but it is at a very cheap rate and will include food during the week.   Information can be found on the Openmind Projects website. If you would like to discuss it here in Ireland with someone who has actually done this and is now working for them on a voluntary basis here in Ireland – please call Carol O’Byrne at 086 2452900 or email carolobyrne86@gmail.com.