Buddhist Immersion Volunteer Program In Thailand

  Thailand

• Bangkok: 
Bangkok

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Monthly Start Dates throughout the year

Description: Experience temple life and Thailand's rich cultural traditions while teaching English to novice monks at a Buddhist temple in Thailand.

Volunteers in the Buddhist Immersion Program have the unique opportunity to fully involve themselves with temple life while serving the local community. Volunteers observe the daily routine of the temple while joining in on meditations, chantings, or ritual celebrations. The novices who study at the temples GSC works with often come from low-income families and go to the temple schools to study standard subjects like Thai, math, sciences and English.

Thailand volunteers provide a valuable service to students in need. Teaching English is essential for the success of these young monks who often receive all their educational services through the temples. Typically they spend a year or two as monks and then return to their towns or villages as secular citizens. In addition to giving back to their local hosts, volunteers in the Buddhist Immersion program have the opportunity to converse with monks and gain valuable insight into Buddhist culture. Participants in this English teaching program have the option of living with a local Thai host family near the temple or at accommodation on the temple grounds.

Longer term Buddhist Immersion volunteers have the unique opportunity to fully involve themselves in the day to day rituals of a Buddhist temple. Thailand volunteers wake up with the monks at approximately 4:30 am and have the opportunity to observe or participate in the morning chantings and meditation. During the day, volunteers will be led in 2 to 3 meditation sessions by a bilingual monk before the evening meditation. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to teach English to the monks.

Highlights: Accommodation: Volunteers experience true cultural immersion by living with a local Thai family or at the Buddhist temple. GSC places volunteers with hosts who enjoy learning about other cultures and appreciate the unique opportunity that hosting an international volunteer gives to their family. Host families and placement temples have been carefully chosen by GSC and our partners, and many have hosted volunteers over the course of several years. Whether you are learning meditation from your novice monks or sharing a spicy som tam (papaya salad) with your new Thai family, your experience with GSC hosts will provide memories and friendships lasting a lifetime.

Thai Partners: The experience of GSC volunteers is greatly enhanced by their daily interaction with local counterparts, whether a nurse at a hospital, a teacher at a school, or an English-speaking monk, Volunteers and their Thai partners build mutually beneficial and often long lasting bonds of friendship. Local partners assist Volunteers with obtaining local transportation, finding the best local restaurants, learning local language phrases, meeting community leaders, and giving tips about and often participating in social activities. Counterparts play a vital role in providing a true cultural immersion experience while helping to insure that the volunteers' interaction with and service to the community is appropriate and effective.

Cultural Orientation and Technical Training: All Thailand Service-Learning programs include in-depth cultural orientation including trips to important Thai temples and sites, Thai language training, as well as how to use a river boat taxi like a local. Volunteers also receive technical training on relevant to including the basics of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and how to conduct engaging classes.

Qualifications: Openness to other cultures and interest in international development a must. All nationalities are welcome. Proficiency in English is required. No experience is necessary, although many of our volunteers have school or professional experience in education, international development, or related areas. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Cost in US$: Programs starting at $2,705

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Year Founded: 1992