TravelWorks.co.uk » Volunteer Abroad » Thailand » Northern Thailand » FAQ
Gap year in Thailand
Travelling in Thailand is like flipping through a picture book – turn a page and you’re on a palm-fringed beach, another, and you’ll find yourself in a colourful temple, near a rice paddy or pineapple field, or within whispering-distance of a wild parrot or gibbon. Whether you’re relaxing in the sun, enjoying the delicious local food, or venturing into the jungle for a nature tour, you’re sure to soak up plenty of sun and culture as you experience your own Thai adventure tale.
Does TravelWorks accept participants from outside the UK?
Do I need to take a test to prove my English skill level?
Do I need special references or experience in order to participate?
Is there an age limit? How old are typical participants?
Can I participate with a friend?
Can I to combine my programme in Thailand with a TravelWorks programme in another country?
Can I choose the city/region where I would like to volunteer?
Can I choose which project I would like to work on?
Is it possible for me to volunteer at more than one project location?
How much time will I actually spend volunteering? Will I have free time?
Am I expected to provide my own teaching materials?
Will I be expected to teach the English classes by myself?
Will I be able to communicate with people in English?
What will my accommodation be like?
Will I live with other volunteers?
Will other volunteers be working on the same project as me?
Will I need to make my own way to the volunteering site each day?
Is there a way for me to contact the other volunteers before I Ieave?
What is the health/safety situation in Thailand? Do I need vaccinations?
Do I need to apply for a visa?
Should I buy travel insurance?
Is food included in the programme price?
What other expenses do I need to consider?
Will I earn money during my project work?
Does TravelWorks accept participants from outside the UK?
Yes. Participants from the United Kingdom and the United States are welcome to participate in the gap year in Thailand programme, as are citizens from other countries. If you are from another country, we will have to check your country’s visa requirements to see if you can participate.
Do I need to take a test to prove my English skill level?
No. No English test is required, and even if you are not a native English speaker, you may still participate in the gap year in Thailand. However, it is important that you bring very good English skills to Thailand, especially if you are going to teach English classes.
Do I need special references or experience in order to participate?
No. You do not need to have any specific educational or work experience in order to participate in the gap year in Thailand. However, teaching experience, experience working with children, and travel experience are definitely helpful.
Is there an age limit? How old are typical participants?
No, there is no upper age limit, although you must be at least 18 in order to participate in the gap year in Thailand programme. Most participants are between 18 and 30 years of age.
Older participants are always welcome, although if you are older, you probably will not be working with anyone in your age group. In any case, it is extremely hot and humid in Thailand, so it is important that participants be physically fit.
Can I participate with a friend?
Yes. When you apply for the gap year in Thailand programme, you may list a travel partner, and we are generally able to place travel partners together at the same project. However, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in the same project as your friend.
Can I to combine my programme in Thailand with a TravelWorks programme in another country?
Yes. It is often possible to combine programmes. Feel free to contact TravelWorks for more information.
Can I choose the city/region where I would like to volunteer?
Yes. Before you leave for your gap year in Thailand, we will send you a list of our projects in Thailand, and you will have the chance to pick your volunteer project location.
You should take into account what sort of a town you would like to live in. For example, Chiang Mai is the second-largest city in Thailand, with almost 150,000 residents, whereas Nam Som is a much smaller town, with fewer than 20,000 residents.
Can I choose which project I would like to work on?
You will be able to choose your location, but your volunteer project will depend on the needs of the people in the area you choose. You will receive a list of locations and the projects which are available there before you leave for your gap year in Thailand.
You will find out which volunteer project(s) you will be working on after your arrival in Thailand.
Is it possible for me to volunteer at more than one project location?
Yes. Volunteers in Thailand often work at more than one location. It is possible, for example, to work for two months in Nongkai and one month in Chiang Mai. Exactly which projects you will be working on during your gap year in Thailand will depend on the current needs of the people at your project location.
How much time will I actually spend volunteering? Will I have free time?
Most volunteers work about 3-4 hours a day, Monday through Friday, and weekends are free. This leaves plenty of free time for you to travel and explore your surroundings during your gap year in Thailand.
Am I expected to provide my own teaching materials?
You may be teaching classes on your own or with a fellow volunteer, but you will be expected to plan your own classes, with whatever materials you deem necessary. Some materials will be available at the accommodation provided by our partner organisation, but you should start preparing lesson ideas before you leave for your gap year in Thailand. English songs and games often work well, and are fun ways to teach simple English.
Will I be expected to teach the English classes by myself?
You may be expected to teach English classes by yourself or with another volunteer. This will depend on how many volunteers are participating at the time and on the current needs of the school. In any case, you should prepare some lesson ideas before you leave for your gap year in Thailand. The English level of students is usually very basic, so you don’t have to worry about teaching complex grammatical rules. English songs and games are fun ways to teach very simple English to your students.
Will I be able to communicate with people in English?
Teachers at your school in Thailand will be able to speak at least very basic English. You should not have too much trouble communicating, and if there are any misunderstandings during your gap year in Thailand, our local partner organisation is available to help you.
What will my accommodation be like?
During your orientation days you will stay in accommodation provided by our partner organisation in Nongkhai, Chiang Mai, or Mae Hong Son.
If you are placed in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Nongkhai, or Namson, you will continue to stay in accommodation provided by our partner organisation. If you are volunteering in one of the smaller villages, you will live with a Thai host family.
Your living conditions will be much simpler than those to which you are accustomed. You will probably share your room with other volunteers during your gap year in Thailand. Please be aware that your accommodation will be very basic. For example, there may be no regular shower – be ready to bathe yourself using a bucket. Water and power failures are not uncommon.
Will I have a kitchen?
If you are staying in accommodation provided by our partner organisation, you will share a simple kitchen with the other volunteers during your gap year in Thailand. The cost of food is not included in the programme price, so you will be free to cook your own food or to eat already-prepared food in town. Most volunteers opt for the second choice, as authentic Thai food is inexpensive and delicious!
Will I live with other volunteers?
If you are living in Nongkhai, Chiang Mai, Namsom, or Mae Hong Son, you will most likely be living with other volunteers in accommodation provided by our partner organisation during your gap year in Thailand.
Will other volunteers be working on the same project as me?
It is quite possible that you will be working with other volunteers on the same project during your gap year in Thailand. However, your placement will depend on where help is needed at the time, so we cannot guarantee that you will be working with other volunteers.
Is there a volunteer “base”?
The “home base” for volunteers in Nongkhai, Chiang Mai, Namsom, and Mae Hong Son will be the accommodation you share with the other volunteers.
No computer will be available at your accommodation, but internet cafes are quite common in the towns in Thailand.
Will I need to make my own way to the volunteering site each day?
Yes. Volunteers in Thailand are responsible for their own transportation from their accommodation to the project sites. Volunteers often go by bicycle to their volunteer project sites during the gap year in Thailand.
Is there a way for me to contact the other volunteers before I Ieave?
Yes. We can send you a list of the other volunteers and their e-mail addresses before you leave for your gap year in Thailand.
What is the health/safety situation in Thailand? Do I need vaccinations?
Thailand is a country where the health risks are considerably more severe than those in Europe and the United States. For example, the risk of contracting malaria is present in some parts of Thailand. Therefore, you should definitely go to a doctor for advice about necessary vaccinations and health precautions. You should do this as early as you can, to make sure you get the proper vaccinations in time. You can find useful information regarding vaccinations at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.
Thailand is a wonderful place to travel, as long as you are careful. You can find extensive information about the safety situation in Thailand and other countries on the website of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office: www.fco.gov.uk, or the website of the U.S. Department of State: travel.state.gov.
Thailand is a very tourist-friendly country, and we repeatedly hear from participants that women are able to travel here safely. Be aware that you will be surrounded by a completely foreign culture. It is absolutely necessary that you dress appropriately (for example, women should cover their shoulders) and that you are courteous to the local people.
Do I need to apply for a visa?
Depending on how long you plan to stay in Thailand, you may not need to apply for a visa. If you are from the UK or United States and are planning to stay fewer than 30 days, you do not need to apply for a visa.
Citizens of the United Kingdom and the United States who are planning to stay longer than 30 days in Thailand need to apply for a tourist visa prior to leaving for Thailand. The tourist visa is valid for 60 days from your arrival in Thailand.
Should I buy travel insurance?
Yes, we strongly recommend that you get travel insurance to protect yourself abroad during your gap year in Thailand. WorldNomads offers flexible travel insurance for short-term and gap-year travellers like yourself. Note that this is only a recommendation. Feel free to search for the travel insurance which is right for you.
Is food included in the programme price?
Food is not included in the programme price for Thailand. However, you will have a kitchen during your gap year in Thailand, and already-prepared meals are not expensive in Thailand.
What other expenses do I need to consider?
How much money you spend on extra costs during your gap year in Thailand will depend to a great extent on your personal lifestyle. Aside from the programme costs, you will need to factor in the following expenses:
- Travel to and from Thailand
- Travel Insurance
- Vaccinations
- Police background check
- Miscellaneous travel, souvenirs, etc.
- Meals
Will I earn money during my project work?
No, this is volunteer work! This means that through your work, you are supporting people in need and assisting in projects, which usually have barely enough money to cover their own essential expenses. Please do not expect payment for your volunteer work. Instead, look at this as an amazing opportunity to help people and gain meaningful life experiences.
What are my next steps?
If you decide to participate in the gap year in Thailand programme, just fill out the PDF or online Booking Form. Please note that if you are booking online you will need a credit card (we accept Visa or MasterCard). If you choose the PDF booking form, please print, fill out, and sign the form before faxing it to TravelWorks. As soon as we have received your application, we will process your booking. At this point your application will be legally binding. We will contact you if we need any additional information.
You will receive various application materials by e-mail after you have applied for the gap year in Thailand programme. These documents need to be completed and returned to TravelWorks.
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