Overview
Asian Explorer

Asia is a majestic continent filled with awe-inspiring countries. Therefore, if you are thinking of volunteering in Asia, you may be finding it difficult to decide which country you want to visit; torn between wanting to relax on the white beaches of Thailand, meditate in India or trek through the Himalayas in Nepal. GVI has solved this dilemma by combining three of our most popular programmes to offer the ‘Asian Explorer’. This programme takes volunteers to join established educational projects that are focused on teaching English to local community members in Thailand, India and Nepal. Over a period of 13 weeks, volunteers can be immersed in these magical countries diverse cultures, whilst giving something back to each country’s local communities.

This combination trip allows you to enjoy a mixture of different projects and countries and offers you the opportunity to explore the region in-between your time on each program. You will arrange the travel/flights from one location to the next, allowing you more flexibility and the option to build these worthwhile programs into your travel itinerary.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

The teaching would have been hard work, but the GVI staff were so helpful and forthcoming that it hardly felt like work at all.

Thomas Martin, Thailand 2008

What Difference Does This Project Make?

As you explore through Thailand, India and Nepal, you will discover three beautiful countries that are each unique in culture, history and society. Each country, however, shares a common requirement. Despite having gained remarkable progress over recent years, there are still certain regions of these countries that remain in need of the necessary education that would allow them to take control of their own inevitable development, instead of relying on foreign development. By teaching free English classes to the community, GVI expedition members are helping to put English skills in the hands of local people so they can benefit from the increased revenue that comes from being a English-speaker (for example, in the tourism industry).

Highlights

Exploring three culturally diverse and beautiful countries, gaining valuable teaching experience to become a qualified TEFL teacher, enjoying cultural interactions with local communities, helping essential educational programmes, and experiencing some magnificent jewels of the east.

Location

Thailand – The Krabi Province, located on the Andaman Sea, is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, numerous national parks, stunning scenery and a wide range of attractions.

India – Volunteers are based in the town of Udaipur, Rajasthan, which is located in the north-western part of India, and is famed for its palaces, maharajas and exotic colours.

Nepal – Volunteers will explore the Kathmandu Valley to see the scattering of temples and the ancient city of Bhaktapur, which is located high up in the majestic Himalayan Mountains of Nepal.

Field Conditions

Thailand – Accommodation will be in dorm room that has bunk beds, a basic kitchen, a communal area and a small library. Cooking and cleaning of the base is shared on a rotational basis by expedition members.

India - The accommodation is basic but well located for access to the city and the project sites. Volunteers will be sharing rooms and all meals will be prepared for you.

Nepal – Volunteers will live in homestays with local families to give you a great chance to participate in everyday Nepali life. Sometimes other facilities, such as simple guesthouses or our trekking basecamp, are utilised.

*All have running water, electricity and basic amenities (Nepal has limited hot water and electricity)*