Involvement Volunteers International * Currently not running. Check back soon or join another exciting project!
WHY we need you in Thailand
- Although Thailand's economy is improving, there is still a wide gap between the rich and the poor.
- The majority of Thailand's poor live in rural areas, with a lack of education being a main contributor to poverty.
- Due to economical developments, environmental degradation is evident. The decline of biodiversity and deforestation is increasing.
- The expliotation of animals in Thailand is a big problem. With many being beaten and held in small cages for the tourist trade.
WHAT does Cultural Week Involve?
- Explore the local areas- walking tours, cultural excursions, temple visits, cooking classes, language lessons & traditional dance shows
- Visit the stunning temples at Ayutthaya Historical Park
- Become immersed in local life by practicing your new language skills with the locals!
- Get to know your new home and settle in before your project starts
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: CULTURAL ORIENTATION WEEK
LOCATION: SING BURI, THAILAND
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: N/A
Overview
The cultural orientation week is designed to ease you into your new surroundings and provide a quality introduction to rural Thailand including local sightseeting, language & cooking lessons and a chance to bond with your fellow volunteers. It’s an optional week which greatly improves your understanding of the local customs so you can get the most out of your volunteer experience. See dropdown section below for full details.
Location
Sing Buri Province is approx 142 km north of Bangkok and was founded in pre-historical period. In the reign of King Rama V through consolidation of 3 small towns located on the bank of The Chao Phraya River north of Ang Thong. The three small towns, Sing Buri, In Buri and Phrom Buri, were then established as a new town on the west of the Chao Phraya River named as Sing buri in 1895.
Project Tasks
- To become familiarised with the local surroundings and your new home for the next few weeks
- To explore some of the local sights and cultural heritage
- To learn more about the ‘do’s and dont’s’ and to learn the local language
Food & Accommodation
The volunteer centre is well established, clean and comfortable. Free WiFi is included in the large communal area where you can eat, relax, meet fellow volunteers. Safety deposit boxes are available (bring their own padlock). Showers are cold water only, however it’s very hot so this can be nice and refreshing! Bed linen, fans & mosquito protection are all included. Laundry facilities are available nearby for a small cost.
Volunteers should bring their own towel. Rooms have 2 bunk beds and are shared on a single gender and maximum of 4 person per room. All rooms have a private western style toilet and cold showers. Air-con is not included, but we can offer upgraded rooms at an additional cost if required. A security cash deposit of 500TBH is required for the key to your room, which is refunded to you upon departure. No alcohol is permitted in the accommodation, however local bars and shops are within walking distance.
For couples, families or anyone seeking upgraded accommodation, private rooms are available at an extra charge of US $150 p/room p/week. This must be booked in advance to guarantee availability. You will enjoy spacious, nice and private accommodation located close to the volunteer house stays so you still fee apart of the action. You’ll have single or double room, air-con, hot water showers, private bathroom, bed linen, towels, lockable rooms, and communal areas where you have meals and relax with other volunteers. You must request the private rooms well in advance when booking.
3 good meals are provided every day including filtered water, coffee and tea. Plenty of vegetarian options are served along with some meat dishes. You’ll eat authentic Thai, including plenty of rice dishes and fragrant herbs and fruits. Volunteers may be expected to assist in cleaning up after meals depending on the placement.
Standard
Projects
- Cultural Orientation Week, Hua Hin
- Childcare, Hua Hin
- Beach & Environmental Conservation, Hua Hin
- English Teaching, Hua Hin
- *Construction & Renovation, Hua Hin
- Sports Coaching, Hua Hin
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1 Week - $395
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2 Weeks - $450
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3 Weeks - $595
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1 Month - $795
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2 Months - $1795
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3 Months - $2655
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
If you want to gain a head start on your projects and feel comfortable in your new surroundings, before you begin, this week is a fantastic way to do just that! It gives you time to adjust before your project begins, to explore the local area and to learn more about the culture and customs. This can greatly help you to communicate with the locals on your projects.
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Bangkok BKK (Suvarnabhumi) Airport, Level 2, Entrance 4. You must arrive between 06.00 and 16:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer for US$50.
If arriving on Saturday, you will need to pay US$50 for an extra night’s accommodation, or arrange your own accommodation for the night.
If arriving during the week, or on Saturday outside of pickup times, we charge US$50 for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another US$50 fee for a private transfer.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
- Sunday – Arrive in Bangkok and receive your complimentary transfer to Sing Buri Province (approx 2.5 hours trip)
- Monday – After breakfast, group meeting, registration, program overviews, logistics, health and safety. Village tour than head into town center for overview of shopping district. Here you can purchase a sim card and any other essentials you may need. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Later you’ll visit buddhist temple where you will get a short introduction to Buddhist rituals. In the afternoon back at the volunteer center, you’ll receive a Thai language lesson and also learn the do’s and don’ts of Thai culture to ensure you have an amazing experience. Dinner is at the center where you may see some special guests and enjoy a welcome party with local children performing a Thai traditional dance and hopefully you will join in!
- Tuesday – After breakfast, visit the tallest Buddha statue in Thailand and the 9th in the world. Afterwards, head to the Historic City of Ayutthaya, which was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and explore Ayutthaya Historical Park, which contains the ruins of the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam and is recognized internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site follwed by dinner at beside one of the many canals.
- Wednesday – After breakfast, head to the handicraft shop to create your own bracelet and send souvenirs back home or other creative pursuits. An authentic Thai cooking lesson is next which will end up being your lunch! The afternoon is free time with a dinner BBQ at a local restaurant in the evening Thai style.
- Thursday – After breakfast, visit a local school and get a feel for teaching or just meet the children! (Note: During school holidays (from mid-March to mid-May and in October), we may visit an English Camp set up for the children). After this, we’ll visit some of the beautiful and famous monuments and Buddhist temples near our centre. Later you’ll visit the shopping mall for some western food if desired 🙂
- Friday – Visit several sightseeing locations such as Wat Phra Phutthabat in Saraburi, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Thailand as well as a Monkey Temple before heading back to the volunteer center for and dinner late on.
- Sat/Sun – Free time to explore, relax and enjoy the company of your new friends.
Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our local team will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency. As a volunteer in Thailand you will gain access to local knowledge, opportunities and value you simply would not find if staying as a standard tourist in resorts.
- No extra requirements
With a long sandy coastline and jungle-topped islands anchored in crystal blue waters Thailand is a tropical getaway and favorite traveling destination for holiday makers and volunteers from all over the world. Thailand’s culture is generous, warm and outgoing and the cuisine is world renowned for a tropical abundance of fresh and varied flavors of spicy, sweet, salty and sour.
Thailand is a fascinating and exotic country to explore. Through volunteering, you’ll gain a love in the people, culture, scenery, cuisine and in the overall lifestyle of Thailand.
We offer diverse project options catering to many different interests. Volunteering is the ideal way of assimilating into the local Thai culture and experiencing the real lifestyle in Thailand.
November to Febuary is the best time to visit Thailand, with a pleasent temperature through most of the country. From March to May temperatures can get very hot. The monsoon rains start from about June to October. Showers usually are quite predictabe and come in short bursts, so this time of year can be great to visit, as everything is so green and there are fewer crowds!
Temperatures are around 30 degrees on average throughout the year. If in the North of Thailand in the winter, evenings can get quite chilly, so bring some warm clothes too!
Vietnam has one of the oldest cultures in South East Asia, creating a rich history with ancient traditions dating back thousands of years. It also has a large Chinese influence. Elders are very well respected in Vietnamese culture, the older you are, the more respect is shown to you. ‘Saving face’ is a concept shown by most Vietnamese people and is thought of as extremely important in their culture. This means that if you feel angered or annoyed by someone, you do not show it and remain respectful. If you lose your temper/ are rude, then this is seen as losing face and therefore a loss of reputation and self-respect.
Vietnamese is the most widely spoken language, other languages include Chinese, Khmer, Cham and tribal dialects. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are the main religious beliefs in Vietnam, and you will find many temples dotted around the country. You will often see the local people giving fruits and burning incense to give as offerings.
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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