International University for Monks

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The 1st and 3rd Monday of every month (from mid-June to late February).

Description: In the morning, the monks study Buddhism and meditation. Afternoon is class time at the university. English is the language of instruction for most classes. There are roughly 250 students at the university. Approximately half of the students are Thai and half are of other Asian nationalities (Indian, Bangladeshi, Cambodian, Laotian). This diversity makes an international learning environment at an institution focused on the higher education for Buddhist monks. For these reasons, it is a very unique school. The university is located in one of Chiang Mai's largest and most historic temples and is in the vicinity of Chiang Mai University and other small colleges, which gives the area quite an academic atmosphere. Volunteers serve under the direction of the English department, which is staffed by a highly qualified and educated, bilingual, Thai faculty. Although most of the professors are regular Thais, a few members of the faculty are Buddhist monks.

Volunteers assist the professors in the English department with their lessons. Additionally, volunteers assist the students outside the classroom informally, practicing pronunciation, writing, conversation and other assignments and studies. There is the possibility of taking a more active role in planning lessons and writing exams. These additional tasks however, would only be offered to volunteers with experience and/or education in the field of university instruction. Occasionally, the Thai professors may ask their foreign volunteer counterparts to assist with classroom preparation and grading. Many of these responsibilities will be based upon the working relationship between the full-time Thai professor and their volunteer partner. Most volunteers will work directly with their assigned professor for three or four class hours each afternoon. A Buddhist day is selected for each week. During this Buddhist day the university is closed. When a Buddhist day falls on a week day, that day is made up on the Saturday of that week. The university is always closed on Sundays, Thai holidays and Buddhist holy days.

Highlights: Chiang Mai is a pleasant city, encircled by mountains and lush rice fields. It is Thailand's second largest city with a population of roughly 700,000. The city is considered the cultural and physical capital of what used to be the northern Thai, or Lanna kingdom. Chiang Mai also boasts an international airport, restaurants of almost every cuisine, incredible shopping and world class hospitals.

During or after service, Friends For Asia recommends volunteers to take part in some of the many different local attractions and/or courses. Every Sunday Chiang Mai closes off one of the main roads in the old city to put on a walking street market. Vendors and artisans from the area set up their small booths to sell their handicrafts, art and mouthwatering finger foods.

Chiang Mai offers Thai cooking courses starting around USD35 and Thai massage courses starting around USD45, along with jungle treks and regular Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches are also available. Upon arrival into Chiang Mai, Friends For Asia will be more than happy to help you sign up for one of these exciting opportunities to learn more about this beautiful culture.

Qualifications: Volunteers in this project need to be able to speak English fluently, have an open mind, enjoy working with university students and being in an academic environment. As is mentioned above, the more experience and education a volunteer has in university instruction.

Cost in US$: 695

FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Plane tickets, travel insurance, cost of criminal police background check required for this project, cost of transportation to and from work location and accommodation, ride to the airport after service, lunch and dinner.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: An individual who loves to travel, wants to learn more about Thailand and assist Asia in it's development.

Age Range: Men or Women over 18.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Friends For Asia's Mission Statement: The mission of Friends For Asia is twofold. We offer an opportunity for people to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the improvement of standards of living by building capacity in our host agencies and we provide committed volunteers to work on projects developed with host agencies that benefit the people of Thailand.

Year Founded: 2008