Have you ever thought about taking a gap year in Thailand? Have you ever thought about taking a gap year at all? Well, there are a number of reasons that you should. And they definitely center around all of the things that you can learn. You’ll be able to showcase some of the skills that you already have as well as developing new ones. You’ll be able to give back to people who really need and want your help. You’ll be able to explore a new country and a new culture. And all of that is just the basics.
When you take that gap year in Thailand with our Peace Corp alternative you’re definitely going to be more than happy with the way everything turns out. You’re going to love the opportunity to really immerse yourself in a new part of the world and get to know people who are different from you. But you’re also going to love the ability to work in a field that’s important to you. Whether you’re looking to help out the children or the adults or all of the above, there’s definitely a program for you to join.
Sports & Arts/Crafts – This program is all about getting the local children involved in artwork. After all, it’s a truly amazing pastime and it’s going to give them something beautiful to enjoy. They’ll be able to improve their skills and they can just have fun with it, which is also the case when it comes to interacting with them through sports.
Teach at the Temple School – When it comes to teaching the children you could get involved with teaching English, which will help the children be more interactive as they grow older and help to advance the countries tourism industry. You can also help out with music programs, teaching children about a variety of ways to enjoy and learn.
Teach Computers – Computers are still relatively new in some areas of Thailand and teaching the children how to use them can definitely help them in the rest of their lives. It can allow them to learn about programs and even things like email, the internet and social media, which can change their way of interacting with the world.
Medical Physiotherapy – This type of medical program will give you the opportunity to work with the elderly in the community to provide them with home health visits and working on their improvement after strokes and other injuries.
Community Construction & Agriculture – Finally, you can join this program that works on building new facilities, carpentry, working in rice mills, helping with fish ponds. Processing products and working with other foods and more. There’s no end to what you could be doing with this program.
No matter what your thoughts are on a gap year in Thailand, you’re definitely going to have the experience of a lifetime here. All you need to do is let us know just how long you’d like to travel for and we’ll help you get everything set up.
Getting along in Thailand
Do:
- Be respectful of HM The King and HM The Queen. They are respected deeply by the Thai people.
- Always be respectful of Buddhism. Dress correctly in Temples (wear sleeves, do not wear short pants etc.). Don't sit on Buddha images if you want to be photographed.
- Always be respectful of the elderly, in every situation. If you are bargaining at the market with a seller who is obviously older than you, or if you are bargaining with a tuk-tuk driver who is older than you, do this in a polite way, with a smile on your face.
- Use the "wai" - a greeting where you press your hands together.
- Learn at least a few words of Thai: the effort will again be very much appreciated.
- Be respectful of the country's ecology in the mountains and on the beaches.
Do not:
- Point at people or things with your feet. This is considered as highly impolite, as the feet are considered as the most inferior parts of the human body. Do not sit on the floor of a Temple with your feet pointing at a Buddha Image!
- Touch anybody on the head, the "highest" part of the body.
- Be too familiar in public, even if you are married. These things are considered very impolite in Thailand.
- Shout or raise your voice in public (to anybody). If you want to argue with your wife or with your children, do this in the privacy of yourroom and not in public!
- Dress in an overly casual Western "holiday" style when in town: no shoes or shirt etc. Thais judge others on what they wear and how they wear it.
Overview
- Project length: From 2 weeks to 12 weeks
- Arrival Airport: Udon Thani International Airport (UTH)
- Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 4 to 6 hours per day
- Requirements: Police Check/Clearance report
- Age Limits: Minimum 17yrs or older for solo travelers.
- Minimum Age: 10 years when traveling with parent/guardian
- Airlines: Thai Smile Airways, Nok Air, Air Asia
- Vaccinations: Meales, Routine boosters, Hep A and Typhoid
Volunteer Opportunities in Thailand
Sports & Art/Crafts
Arts/Craft: This program is focused on giving local children the opportunity to be involved in art and crafts lessons like drawing and painting. Children learn best when they can use all their senses. Making crafts and learning about art help children to improve their manual dexterity and gives them a chance to discover new methods and tools.
Because many of the local children attending this project lack formal education, crafts and other artistic endeavors can help the children achieve personal success in all areas of their lives. Arts and crafts can teach perseverance and patience. When the children accomplish small task, they gain confidence in themselves. Volunteer hours are 4-6 hours per day. Volunteers are encouraged to come with lesson ideas, project plans and even art supplies. The aim for this project:
- Help children gain greater self-esteem. Art give the children a sense of accomplishment by creating something of their own.
- Help children to hone their skills which can be directed to other areas of their life. We enable activities such as writing and drawing and painting because it requires bilateral coordination and fine motor coordination.
- Encourage children to express their emotions and feelings.
- Create a harmonious environment within the community. It helps the children to bond with one another through activities.
Sports: Athletic competition and daily exercise provides opportunities for children and teens to learn and grow. In order to excel in life, children must be eager to learn and willing to accept instruction. Learning this on the field or in the gym can translate into respect for other authority figures: teachers, future bosses, and authority figures. Being part of a sporting event helps to build integrity, positive attitude, respect and perseverance. Be part of a local community project focused on providing sports and other physical activities to children after school. Working with 6 village schools, volunteers will help coach, plan games and activities for children 6-12 years old. Volunteers are welcome to introduce topics.
Especially for kids, volunteers need to include fun in your classes, creating a sense of concentration and being fully present in the instructor’s role that you’ll be playing. All kinds of experiments in this area are more than welcome; even if it demands you to work in an uncertain environment maybe under a little pressure, then let this be an opportunity for you to learn something too! Afternoon volunteer hours 4 hours per day.
Teach at Temple School
Our volunteers support the development projects in the northeastern region in Issan. The goal is to help farmers and families, particularly the children, of the villages to build a better future. To achieve this, we teach them foreign languages and general knowledge topics. You will work with the local population and gain knowledge through practical work. Your skills and experience will be used as an important component of the cultural exchange program.
English teaching: Be part of a developmental project in this village community. Help to teach English to Thai children ages 5-12-year-old at a local temple school. Be part of a grassroots organization, live within a local Thai village and be involved in education efforts in six villages in our surroundings. Focus on basic English terminology, pronunciation and grammar is stressed.
Teaching Music: Music is a universal language. Volunteers with music background and skills are needed and wanted in this village community. Volunteers will work closely with the children in small groups, you can build a school choir and teach them as much as possible with music. You can easily take part of the daily life in the villages, and as a thank, you give something back to the people in which you teach the children music while using English as foreign language.
Preferred Qualifications only for music program.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge and experience in music performance or education (applicants currently completing a relevant degree may be considered) Demonstrated ability teaching music in an elementary classroom setting Be available at least 4 weeks.
Typical Schedule
- 07:00h Shower, breakfast and morning meeting
- 08:30h Dividing into teams, go to project site
- 12:00h Lunchtime
- 13:00h Afternoon work project.
- 16:00h End of the workday. Free time
- 19:00h Dinner (volunteers cook by them self in the campus kitchen).
Teach Computer
Our volunteers support the development projects in the northeastern region in Issan. The goal is to help farmers and families, particularly the children, of the villages to build a better future. To achieve this, we teach them foreign languages and general knowledge topics. You will work with the local population and gain knowledge through practical work. Your skills and experience will be used as an important component of the cultural exchange program.
We work hard to support the schools and establish the best ICT equipped classrooms in the region. However, many schools don't have adequate teachers. Volunteer computer teachers are needed to teach basic to advanced computer skills to students at all age levels. This may involve lessons from simple keyboarding to challenging computer programs. Basic skills would include computer knowledge such as: sending and receiving emails, using the internet, word processing software, spread sheet software and social media.
A volunteer computer teacher would be expected to cover the basic responsibilities of any teacher such as: creating lessons plans; evaluating student performances and the giving out of projects and assignments. They also may be expected to take part in developing and updating the curriculum. In addition, they may be asked to help facilitate research and hold supervisory or organizational responsibilities.
Typical Schedule
- 07:00h Shower, breakfast and morning meeting
- 08:30h Dividing into teams, go to project site
- 12:00h Lunchtime
- 13:00h Afternoon work project.
- 16:00h End of the workday. Free time
- 19:00h Dinner (volunteers cook by them self in the campus kitchen).
Medical Physiotherapy
In this village region, many families are tending to older people many who suffer from strokes. The villagers need physiotherapists with experience working with old people, especially stroke patients. Since there is no medical support for such cases available., all volunteer support is welcome. If you are physiotherapist and want to donate your time, your support is very welcome.
Volunteers will partake in home health visits, and are expected to be licensed, professional and experienced in the field.
Typical Schedule
- 07:00h Shower, breakfast and morning meeting
- 08:30h Dividing into teams, go to project site
- 12:00h Lunchtime
- 13:00h Afternoon work project.
- 16:00h End of the workday. Free time
- 19:00h Dinner (volunteers cook by them self in the campus kitchen).
Community Construction and Agriculture
Volunteers interested in agricultural and community construction are welcome to join this village developmental project. Learn and be part of the local farmer’s daily routine. This includes harvesting, sowing, fishing and many other seasonal activities.
This is a physical demanding project, so volunteers should be in good health and ready to task and the working day is long. The farmers have a very broad understanding of the nature that surrounds them and the sustenance that it can provide. Volunteers support the community and their families. In return, volunteers will learn traditional knowledge from the Thai farmers including garden, farmland, forest, cultural information passed on for centuries.
Project work can consist of:
- Construction of buildings
- Carpentry, interior
- Preparation of charcoal
- Seasonal emptying of fishponds
- Working at the rice mill
- Create tools
- Agriculture and land careKitchen and herbs
- Processing of own products
- Vegetable and animal origin
- Search and processing of bush-food
- Create spice garden
- Cook Thai food/Cooking methods
- Conservation methods
- Introduction to Natural Remedies of Thai
Typical Schedule
- 07:00h Shower, breakfast and morning meeting
- 08:30h Dividing into teams, go to project site
- 12:00h Lunchtime
- 13:00h Afternoon work project.
- 16:00h End of the workday. Free time
- 19:00h Dinner (volunteers cook by them self in the campus kitchen).
Country Info
Country Details
Our ABV volunteer programs are based in Udon Thani, the provincial capital city of northeast Thailand. Udon is an important regional hub, has a large ex-pat community and is also home to the well-known archaeological site at Ban Chiang. Like other provincial towns in Thailand, Udon has its own specialty handicrafts and is known for hand-woven silk, and ‘kid’ textiles.
Coordinator
Welcome Thailand 🇹🇭, We are a married couple, Raimun and Janphen. As the ABV Coordinators in Udon, we look forward to hosting you in our country.
Weather
What is the best time of year to go to Udon Thani in Thailand
Here are some average weather facts we collected from our historical climate data:
- On average, the temperatures are always high.
- A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the month: May, June, July, August and September.
- Udon Thani has dry periods in January, February, November and December.
- On average, the warmest month is April.
- On average, the coolest month is January.
- August is the wettest month.
- December is the driest month.
Reviews & Multimedia
Reviews
Personally, I found this program to be very worthwhile as this trip turned out to be one the best experiences of my life. It was very eye-opening and gave me a boost of motivation to continue my studies and inspiration for my future career.
Dr. Shithila Siriwardhana at the Medical program
Nationality: USA
Age: 32
This trip was incredible and I don’t regret coming for a second. Our trip was a month long and I think that is a perfect amount of time for first time travelers. Changing sheets, cleaning the bed frames, and washing patients will most likely take up all your time.
Ann Olsen Volunteer in Arusha Tanzania
Nationality: USA
Age: 59
This trip was incredible and I don’t regret coming for a second. Our trip was a month long and I think that is a perfect amount of time for first time travelers. Changing sheets, cleaning the bed frames, and washing patients will most likely take up all your time.
Alexis Stribbling Volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania
Nationality: USA
Age: 36
Photos Gallery
Prices for Thailand
Program Fees
As a nonprofit organization, A Broader View Volunteers can fundraise (optional) for the expenses of their trip. Prices are per person and in US dollars (US$).
| Length of program | Program Fee $USD |
|---|---|
| 1 week | - |
| 2 weeks | $980 |
| 3 weeks | $1120 |
| 4 weeks | $1260 |
| 5 weeks | $1400 |
| 6 weeks | $1495 |
| 7 weeks | $1540 |
| 8 weeks | $1820 |
| 9 weeks | $1960 |
| 10 weeks | $2100 |
| 11 weeks | $2240 |
| 12 weeks | $2380 |
Inclusions
- Accommodation: village bungalow, shared bedrooms
- Meals: 2 meals per day (self-prepared)
- Arrival: Airport meet and greet by ABV Staff
- Orientation: Project Overview and Orientation
- Support: Pre-trip written guide, In-country ABV staff available 24/7
- Departure: ABV Staff Escorted Airport Transfer
- Thai Lessons: introduction on arrival.
Program Schedule
- Starts and ends in Udon Trani
- Airport transportation is included (7:30am and 16:00pm arrivals only)
- Week-day work schedule, weekends available on request
- Typical shift work: 4-7 hours per day
- Support - Local staff support 24/7 during placement
- Departure transfer at the end of the program to airport
Extra Cost: Flights, Travel Insurance, Visa, Vaccinations, Local excursions, daily transportation, laundry, internet, dinner
Extras
Tour and Weekend Trips
Once in-country, your ABV Coordinator will assist with tours and activity planning. These tours/cultural activities are available, but not part of the ABV fees:
- Phu Prabhat Histocial Park
- Wat Phothisomphon
- Chao Pu-Ya Shrine
- Udon Thani city museum
We do not offer tours but if all volunteers agree and if there is time we can use our Van to take a trip every now and then. The costs for the transport must then be shared among the participants. Usually Volunteers organize their own weekend trips in Udon Thani, the price range is from 20 USD + per day - there is no limit upwards, pending on choices.
Festivities
- Wednesday, January 1: New Year’s Day
- Monday, February 10: Substitution day for Makha Bucha Day
- Monday, April 6: Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day
- Monday, April 13: Songkran Day (Thai New Year)
- Tuesday, April 14: Songkran Holiday
- Wednesday, April 15: Songkran Holiday
- Friday, May 1: National Labour Day
- Monday, May 4: Coronation Day
- Wednesday, May 6: Wisakha Bucha Day
- Wednesday, June 3: HM Queen Suthida’s Birthday
- Monday, July 6: Substitution day for Asarnha Bucha Day
- Tuesday, July 7: Buddhist Lent Day (Khao Phansa Day)
- Tuesday, July 28: HM the King’s Birthday
- Wednesday, August 12: HM Queen Sirikit’s Birthday (Mother’s Day)
- Tuesday, October 13: King Bhumibol Memorial Day
- Friday, October 23: King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
- Monday, December 7: Substitution Day for HM the King Bhumibol’s Birthday, National Day and National Father’s Day
- Thursday, December 10: Constitution Day
- Thursday, December 31: New Year’s Eve
General Information
Meals & Food
Volunteers are usually provided breakfast, lunch at a local restaurant during the week and weekends (read the website for detail description of the meals or ask our staff online). Breakfast typically consists of toast, fruit, eggs, cereal accompanied with milk, tea or coffee. We recommend budgeting between US$5 and US$6 per day to purchase dinner. If you have specific dietary requirements, our local team can customize to you but be flexible as well.
Start Dates
Most of our programs run year round, you can start any volunteer/internship program on any day. When you apply you will lets know your start and end dates. Our programs run year round and have volunteers arriving almost every day from many different countries.
Since our programs sometimes depend on the local holiday calendar, there are brief occasions when normal programs work is suspended. For example, schools/daycares often close for long winter/summer vacations. During these times, we arrange for alternative work programs that are similar in substance to our ongoing programs, but address the short-term, direct needs of the local communities.
If you would like to arrange your start and end dates around the local holidays, please call us at 1.866.423.3258 or email us at [email protected].
Giving Matters
A Broader View Volunteers work tirelessly year round to support our volunteers, and also to serve the local communities where ABV projects are based. As a tax-exempt 501 c(3) organization A Broader View receive 100% of our funding from volunteer contributions. Through your program fee contribution our non-profit charity organization can operate beneficial humanitarian aid programs which are successful and continuous supported year round.
Local, professional full-time coordinators, placement logistics, airport pick up and departure transportation, arrival orientation, food & local accommodations, are a major part of providing a safe, meaningful volunteer experience. When you join A Broader View, you will receive pre-trip visa and vaccination support, assistance with flights, fundraising planning, through our interactive online volunteer portal. Our local partners not only benefit from volunteers valuable contributions at the project, they benefit financially with year-round monetary support from A Broader View. In the last decade A Broader View has donated over 4.5 million dollars in international aid.
By joining A Broader View you are not only helping to make a difference during your own trip, your impact will last even after you go home.