Overview
Community Development Internship in Thailand

In this internship you will work alongside a dedicated staff supervisor to make a real difference to individuals and gain invaluable hands on practical experience in a variety of fields including project management and team leadership. You will be typically working with children aged between 5 and 12, offering them the opportunity to receive first hand native English language assistance to help them learn English and gain skills that will improve their potential to access tourist revenue. Thailand is famous for a diverse environment of beautiful beaches, natural resources and stunning natural attractions. It is one of the most popular tourist locations in the world and yet most Thai people have limited English speaking skills and therefore very limited access to work in the tourist industry. This project aims to address that issue.

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The trip changed my life for many reasons. I have actually returned to Ao Luk three times this year because I felt so connected to the area, the people and what GVI were doing.

Karemie Williams, GVI Intern

What Difference Does This Internship Make?

Volunteering at the local schools and in the community gives Thai teachers and students the opportunity to practice their English skills with fluent English speakers. Students will gain confidence and interest in the English language providing them with skills that will greaten their opportunities for education and employment in the future. Teachers who have limited resources will benefit from volunteer teachers assisting with their classes. For those volunteers staying in home stays in addition to working with local schools you will help your host family and community gain valuable skills that will help them continue to support and develop their local community based tourism projects. This is an incredible opportunity to exchange culture and language.

Highlights

See the benefits of volunteer English teaching in a small duration of time, Experience real Thailand up close by teaching and living in the small town of Ao Luk or other surrounding communities. Gain an internationally recognised certification in team leading. You will have the opportunity to experience a culture and a way of life that most tourists miss on the normal tourist trail. Visit local natural highlights such as limestone rock formations, amazing caves and white sandy beaches with crystal emerald waters. Learn how to cook Thai food, speak basic Thai, and immerse yourself in this vibrant and welcoming culture.

Location

Ao Luk is located in the Krabi province in the Andaman region of Thailand. This region is most famous for the surrounding islands, white sandy beaches and karst mountain formations which jut dramatically out of the land and sea. Ao Luk is a mostly rural district in Krabi. Being close to town, GVI's base camp gives volunteers the opportunity to be completely immersed in the local culture. Weekends provide the opportunity to enjoy the natural highlights and cultural destinations within the region.

See Life on the internship page for more information

Field Conditions

You will be staying at one of GVI's base camps in the town of Ao Luk. The base camp is a centre for teaching and training and you will share dorm style accommodation with other volunteers who are teaching and or obtaining a TEFL qualification. Cooking and cleaning is done on a rotational basis with other volunteers. Accommodations basic but they do have electricity and running water. Food is simple, mostly pasta / rice and vegetable based dishes with vegetables with meat several times.

See Life on the internship page for more information