 English Teaching (Child Development Center)
With the growth of tourism and industrial development in Thailand, the demand for English speaking citizens is also on the rise. Both primary and secondary schools in Thailand are struggling to meet this growing demand for English education. Rustic Volunteer Travel’s Teaching English program in Thailand offers an opportunity for volunteers/travelers to implement their own teaching programs and observe how their program works within the Thai community structure. Volunteers/travelers can benefit by supplying these children with much-needed expertise in conversational English as well as provide a solid foundation to meet their needs, nurture their interests and ultimately make them attractive in Thailand’s growing job market.
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FAQs Thailand
| Application Process: |
Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 5 steps of application
• There are two options for applying to volunteer in Thailand through our program. You can apply online or you can down loan an application, fill it out, and mail it in to us. You will need to submit your application with a $200 deposit (this deposit will be deducted from your final program fee.) This program deposit is required to make an application valid.
• Once we get your application, we will immediately send it to Thailand for processing. They go over your application carefully and find the best project possible for you. The decisions for room and food are made at this time, Arrangement for room and food depends on the location of the project. The vast majority of our volunteers stay in full immersion home stays though some orphanage projects are residential.
• Once we get the details of your placements, we pass it on to you with a final invoice. Your final payment is due six weeks before your start date, and in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information use them for contacts on your Visa application or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.
• Preparation for trips should include reading about Thailand , immunization, travel Visa (entry permit), and booking airfare. If you face any problems our Program Manager is always available for assistance.
• Now, once you purchase your ticket, send your flight information to our US office by fax or by email. Your flight information will be forwarded to the Thailand staff who will arrange an airport pickup.
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| Visa : |
Though volunteers can acquire a Visa upon arrival in Bangkok , we strongly suggest volunteers acquire a tourist Visa in their home country before departing for Thailand . This saves you significant time and the hassle of filling forms and waiting in long lines once you've arrived in Bangkok . The visa is your entry permit into any foreign country, you risk not begin allowed access by arriving without it. There are no volunteer visas, so volunteers should apply for a tourist visa.
Please find the Thailand Embassy Abroad below:
http://www.thai-info.net/info/thaiembassyabroad.htm
United States of America , Royal Thai Embassy
(Consular Office)
1024 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 101 , Washington , D.C. 20007
Tel : (202) 944-3608
Fax : (202) 944-3641
Email: consular@thaiembdc.org
Website: http://www.thaiembdc.org/
United Kingdom , Royal Thai Embassy
29-30 Queen's Gate, London , SW7 5JB
Tel: +07 1 5890173, 5892944
Fax: +07 1 8239695
Australia, Royal Thai Consulate General, Sydney
Level 8, 131 Macquarie Street
SYDNEY, NSW 2000
Tel (02) 9241-2542, 9241-2543
Fax (02) 9247-8312
E-mail: thaicon-sydney@diplomats.com
Website: http://thaisydney.idx.com.au/
Canada , Royal Thai Embassy
180 Island Park Drive
Ottawa , Ontario
K1Y OA2, Canada
Tel: (613) 722-4444
Fax : (613) 722-6624
Email: thaiott@magma.ca
Website: http://www.magma.ca/~thaiott |
| Health and safety : |
Volunteers should be aware of all health and safety information before traveling to Thailand . We suggest you visit some of the websites listed below.
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
WHO ( http://www.who.int/countries/en/ )
General Health Tips for volunteer/travel in Thailand
- Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by both filtering through an "absolute 1 micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1 micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
- Buy bottled water from respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact to avoid being sold tap water in a resealed bottle.
- Watch out for spicy dishes, especially at the outset of your tour. Avoid eating food from road side stalls. Don't eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
- Always use an insect repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area. But remember, not every place is mosquito-infested and low temperatures in winters (when most tourists come to Thailand ) kill most bugs in the northern plains and hills.
- If traveling in scorching heat, remember to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses & UV lotions. Beware of the health effects that the mid day sun may cause, most importantly SUN BURN or DEHYDRATION.
- Pharmacies or chemists are available in every little town and village and you can buy medication. In case you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask for help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or your tour operator. The cost of visiting a doctor is fairly low (less than a dollar) compared to western countries.
- In Thailand , most modern medicines are available over the counters in drugstores, but it is wise with any prescription drugs you require, bring enough for the duration of the trip. It is advisable that you carry a small health kit which should include remedy for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant, sun block, band aids, etc.
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| Vaccination : |
Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications by CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm#vaccines)
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Southeast Asia including Thailand . Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
- Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
- Japanese encephalitis , if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.
- Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in some of the countries in this region. See your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Southeast Asia .
- Rabies , if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
- Typhoid , particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
- As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles .
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| Money Matter : |
What is the exchange rate? Where should I change my dollar? Can I use debit card and/or credit card? Should I bring traveler's check?
Find the Exchange Rate of Thailand Rupee (INR) http://www.xe.com/ucc/
The local currency is the Thailand Rupee. You can change your money upon arrival to Bangkok International Airport (BKK). There are many bank counters at the airport. We suggest you change $400 in the beginning as you can change money in any bank (some banks are near to our office).
Your credit card information can be stolen and used fraudulently just by making a credit card payment. For this reason, cash and travelers checks are suggested to settle most accounts. You will have trouble paying with traveler's checks, but you will be able to exchange them at local banks. Traveler's checks are recommended as a safe way to carry money with you, make sure you write down the check numbers and contact information you need to cancel stolen checks. Different brands of traveler's checks work better in different countries so consult your local financial institution about which company you should buy your checks from.
Travelers should have a credit card for large and emergency purchases so you won't go broke if something goes wrong. If you've requested a pin number for your credit card, you can use it to get cash advances at the ATM.
You can also carry a debit card that can be used at ATM's to withdraw local currency. Debit card is the best way of getting money and ATM vendors are available in major bank and department store in Kathmandu . Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in some of the large stores and hotels in larger cities but not accepted in smaller cities.
How much money you bring depends on your personal spending habits. Thrifty people can get by on less than $10/day. Your budget should also include money to explore Thailand in free time as well as for your personal use. A good rule of thumb for money management is the 1/3 method, bring 1/3 cash, 1/3 traveler's check and leave 1/3 of your money in your account - plus a credit |
| Field Support and supervision: |
How does Rustic Volunteer Travel help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Rustic Volunteer Travel visit volunteers?
Once the volunteer program starts, our local staff will stay in touch with volunteers. We visit our volunteers every 2-4 weeks (in Bangkok ). During busy season and when a volunteer's project is a long distance from the office our local staff maintains communication by email and by phone. Our Thailand coordinator maintains a 24/7 mobile phone so you can call him at any time. In many occasions, our local partners assign a local mentor or support volunteers. |
| Communication : |
How do I communicate with my family? Rustic Volunteer Travel staffs? Is there internet?
Volunteers are requested to bring their mobile phone. Once you arrive in Thailand , you can change sim-card and use it. This is the perfect way to stay in touch with your family and Rustic Volunteer Travel office in Thailand . Internet Café's are available in most areas of Bangkok . |
| Climate of Thailand: |
Take advantage of the Web which can bring you current weather and forecasts for your destination:
• Yahoo Weather: http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/NPXX0002.html (www.weather.yahoo.com)
• The Weather Channel: www.weather.com
• The Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/global/TH.html
Thailand 's climate is tropical, high both in temperature and humidity, and dominated by monsoons. April and May are the hottest months of the year, when even the locals are moved to complain about the heat. June sees the beginning of the South West Monsoon, and brings with it the rainy season, which continues intermittently until the end of October.
From November to the end of February the climate is much less trying with a cooling North East breeze and a reduction in the humidity level. This is also the main tourist season, and the best time to visit Thailand .
The north and north-east are generally cooler than Bangkok in winter and hotter in summer. In the far north, around Mae Hong Son temperatures can occasionally drop as low as 2oC. |
| Materials to Bring |
Most of stuffs of daily use are available in India at a cheaper price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following things.
• Camera
• Mobile phone (you can use mobile phone after changing sim card)
• Sleeping bag
• Mosquito repellents
• Insect repellents
• Sun-block
• Working gloves (if you are joining conservation or construction project)
• Some books about Thailand
• Map of Thailand
• Toiletries
• First aid kit
• Flash light
• Electricity adopter/converter
• Sun glasses
• Footwear (for work and travel)
• Towel |
| Gift for Host Family and Project |
It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for the family that will be hosting you. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring something it can be pretty simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown logo, or pictures of your family and some local post cards.
If you want to bring gifts for your project (and if you are working for an orphanage or a school please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, and games. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring a bunch of one thing. |
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