Dive Into Our Scuba Diving Work Experience Project Off the Malaysia Coast!

  Malaysia

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Dates: Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Description: Just off the coast of northern Borneo lies the tiny island of Pulau Tiga. The location of TV's "Survivor" Game Show, it's one of three islands that make up the Pulau Tiga National Park in the South China Sea. Originally formed after a volcanic eruption, Pulau Tiga is a haven for wildlife and ringed by a 7km shallow, healthy coral reef with crystal clear water. Travellers and the Pulau Tiga Resort have put together a Work Experience placement at the Resort's Diving School to give diving enthusiasts the chance to gain experience alongside a dive master.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

On this placement you'll learn to dive and guide new divers. If you are not already qualified you will take a PADI Open Water Diver Certification course on your arrival with the resorts dive school. Novices can explore the many dive sites once completing the basic PADI qualification. Seasoned divers will find the reefs first-class and a number of unexplored diving locations are available for day trips.

Your experience will include some or all of the following:
" Have work experience of running a dive centre and, if you are able to stay for a period of three months, you'll have the opportunity to do a total of 60 dives as a prerequisite to the Dive Master Course.
" Assist the Dive Master in the daily running of the centre. Responsibilities include: taking care of the Dive Centre, guiding and assisting new learners, handling customers' inquiries and reporting to the Dive Instructor.
" Develop your diving skills by taking several courses i.e. PADI Open Water, Advance Open Water, Emergency First Aid Response, Rescue Diver etc.

Around the island of Pulau Tiga, visibility ranges from 6 to 20 metres and schools of tropical fish can be seen from the surface, even without snorkel equipment.

The island's landscape is dramatic, set in the midst of lush rainforest, including mangroves, swamps and lowland forests for a total of eight square miles. Within this enticing habitat are more than fifty different species of trees, countless plant species and an array of fauna such as macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, sea turtles as well as many other colourful species and birds. A rich variety of marine life can be seen including barracuda, bamboo sharks, cuttlefish and marbled stingray.

The Dive Centre that we work with developed a resort on the island in 1998 to accommodate tourists in a variety of wooden cottages. This peaceful destination is home to many outdoor activities and Scuba diving in the marine park is heavenly.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT

" An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into oriental Malaysian Borneo.
" You'll learn a lot about diving and diving centre management from experts - an excellent, hands-on opportunity for practical experience.
" New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
" The opportunity to take a number of additional certificated courses.
" An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
" And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

Highlights:

WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS SAY...

"Our two month placement in Pulau Tiga Resort has been a wonderful experience. The Divemaster section of the placement ran very smoothly with expert instruction and guidance from Julius. The Water Sports Team have been great along with all of the other staff at the resort in welcoming us, integrating us, and guiding us through our duties and responsibilities along with providing us great friendship which has made living and working here a wonderful experience which comes highly recommend to others. We would also like to thank the water sports team for working with great patience and understanding while we were asked to be in charge of the day to day running of the Centre and to all the other staff for letting us help out in various ways and making our stay a very enjoyable one."

ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD

Traditional Longhouse: While on your project, you'll stay in a Malaysian longhouse, where you'll get to experience a taste of living in a traditional style. The Longhouse is traditional in style only - it is a modern facility with a lovely wooden verandah giving beautiful views and is nestled under trees.
The facilities are comfortable, clean and very tropical. You will share your accommodation with other Travellers volunteers with a maximum of three volunteers per room.

Your meals will consist of local cuisine and are provided in the Resort's Restaurant. Meals are taken in the form of a buffet, served daily and usually including two main courses (these are usually a choice or combination of chicken, meat or fish), with local vegetables and salads, followed by fruit. In the very quiet part of Low Season, there may occasionally be no guests at the Resort. At such times you'll take your meals in the staff canteen. Tea, Coffee and Juice is available all day.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

=> Talk to us - We're there to help you. Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
=> If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
=>It's as easy as that.

Qualifications: No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length of placement, but starts at 1895 USD for 8 weeks.

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: This placement would suit people who love adventure, love the water, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a love of children! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.

Age Range: All projects available from ages 17-70+!!!

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

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995