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Intern Abroad in Thailand
Thailand, the Land of Smiles, borders Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, and Burma and serves as a central point for international travel and cross-cultural exchange. Thailand has extensive visible historical evidence of ancient cultures ranging from the South to North of Thailand, and from the central region to the far-east region bordering Laos and Cambodia.
Thailand's rapid economic growth in the late 20th century has defined it as one of the leaders in Southeast-Asia.
People all over the world visit Thailand for it’s national parks, tropical islands & coastlines, historical temples and parks, and diverse cultures throughout the country. Thailand allows for significant exposure to a diversity of culture and environment for the first-timer and returnee.
Although they're often depicted as fun-loving, happy-go-lucky folk (which they often are), they are also very strong-minded and have preserved their spirit of independence for centuries.
Chiang Mai
ProThailand’s programs are based in the northern city of Chiang Mai, also known as “The Rose of the North,” the center of northern Lanna Thai culture. The diversity of Chiang Mai not only comes from the strong Lanna Thai culture, but the several ethnically distinct hill tribe minority communities descendant of Burma, Laos, and China in the region. Chiang Mai, a progressive city coupled with traditional culture, offers various cultural activities ranging from treks into national parks housing diverse hill tribe communities uniquely different from Thai culture; exploration of ancient temples and traditional markets; and courses in Thai language, cooking, meditation, yoga, and your own cultural exploration.
Intern Abroad with ProThailand
NGO Internship - Supported internships in ProThailand host communities with cultural classes, excursions, and meals each day at local homestays and/or accommodations. You will live in communities near the ProThailand office and other NGO Interns on site, participate individually or in small groups with local organizations. You will also receive extensive support from ProThailand staff.
Interns are generally asked and expected to assist with various tasks designed to sustain the on-going efforts of local, national, and international organizations. Some organizations have high demand for specialized skills, such as micro-finance management, research, or fundraising to secure future programs.
Interns without extensive professional experience are also highly sought, as they can serve organizations by engaging in tasks that help to maintain existing efforts.
All organizations seek the efforts of open-minded individuals capable of adapting to new, challenging, and culturally diverse environments where equal exchange & learning are fostered.
HEALTH PORTFOLIO IN THAILAND
Various health issues exist in northern Thailand, but none seems to be more pressing than the prevention and continuing education of HIV/AIDS. Additional health issues mirror those already existing in industrialized countries as well, such as overall poor health care and lack of access to sufficient medications and resources for youth, adults, and the elderly. ProThailand Health Interns may help directly and indirectly to combat these global health issues by joining a local or national NGO in their administration and field work efforts.
Health projects in Chiang Mai, Thailand include:
FOUNDATION FOR OLDER PERSON'S DEVELOPMENT (FOPDEV)
Description of the project:
FOPDEV seeks to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged older persons throughout Thailand by working with and for older persons nationwide to address their physical, psychological, social, educational, and economic needs. FOPDEV concentrates their efforts on sustainable community-based care programs. They have four primary programs: Support a Grandparent Program (SGP), Home Care Service Program, Advocacy, and HIV/AIDS program.
SGP: This program serves older people all over Northern Thailand and provides both a higher quality of benefits & beneficiaries by using a portion of donations as capital for income generation projects for communities.
Home Care Service Program: This project encourages independent living for disadvantaged older persons and lightens the burden on family caregivers by training volunteer home-helpers to provide services.
Advocacy: This works to increase the recognition of older persons and their needs in national policy and legislation.
Role of the Intern:
Interns will work with health education community development outreach and issues related to older peoples development.
Programs involve homecare service program, advocacy, HIV/AIDS. Interns can also expect to partake in the following:
• Field Work
• Office Work
• Home Care Visits by experienced people
• Fundraising efforts
• Research based projects
Skills Required:
Participants should have an interest in working with the issues at hand and able to commit the time frame required of at least one month. Writing and health skills/knowledge are also important for a successful placement.
CHIANG MAI PROVINCIAL PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE (CPPHO)
Description of the project:
CPPHO has a broad profile of work related to health issues. The organization has a dental health section, AIDs and STB prevention and control section, disease prevention section, and a healthcare service section. They also work in partnership with Chiang Mai University Research Institute of Health Sciences, NGOs, and government hospitals in every district in Chiang Mai Province
Role of the Intern:
- Interns will be able to observe the work of NGOs, Health Institutes, hospitals, Academic Institute
- Do the work assigned by the person in charge of their area
- Must be flexible and able to travel to the rural area
- All interns will be placed according to their needs and experience based upon their CV.
Skills Required:
Any volunteer who would like to learn more about health care in Thailand are welcome to apply.
NONG HAN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC
Description of the project:
The Nong Han Primary Health Care Clinic provides primary care to the local community. This involves disease prevention, education efforts, outreach, disease control and testing, a small outpatient clinic and other initiatives to reduce the level of disease and sickness in the community. Past volunteers have been involved with testing blood pressure, educating the community about disease risk factors and way to stop the spread of disease, home visits for eldery people to identify and reduce risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and other problems. Outreach and hands on work to prevent the spread of Dengue fever and a number of similar projects.
Role of the Intern:
Interns would work side by side with the staff mainly in an observation role, to learn about the Thai health system and participate when possible with hands on testing, education and prevention work.
Skills Required:
Pre-med or medical student with knowledge of health issues and basic health education.
FOUNDATION TO ENCOURAGE THE POTENTIAL OF DISABLED PEOPLE
Description of the project:
The Foundation’s many projects include the Chiang Mai Disabled Center; the Freedom Wheelchair Workshop; a rural and remote area free home visit program covering 6 Provinces of north Thailand (providing wheelchair maintenance and physical therapy); and an extensive Thai language self-help publishing program.
Role of the Intern:
-Assist with home visits to rural communities
- ESL classes for the foundations staff.
Skills Required:
Depending on the skills of the intern, you can be assigned to different projects. Below are some different skills that we are looking for to assist with various projects
- Participants with craftsman’s skills and handiwork experience in metal fabrication, mobility design or welding are needed to conduct small manual projects and construct wheelchairs.
- Participants with occupational therapy and physical therapy skills
- ESL teaching experience
ENVIRONMENT PORTFOLIO IN THAILAND
Sustainable agriculture and forestry, and environmental conservation are the major issues addressed by ProThailand's partner environmental organizations. Grassroots efforts require cooperation between Thai and Ethnic communities, government & local municipalities, University faculty and researchers, and, quite often, international stakeholders.ProThailand Environmental Interns can join local NGOs in grassroots efforts to protect the environment, participating in such initiatives as forest conservation and environmental education. Please be advised environmental projects and conservation efforts are restricted to certain seasons of the year.
Selected Interns will have opportunities to engage in various environmental projects, as well as provide insight into developing small-scale eco-projects.
Environmental projects in Chiang Mai, Thailand include:
WORK WITH RESCUED ELEPHANTS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES
Description of the project:
Based in a rural region outside Chiang Mai, this project works with three elements of the local community to build this fascinating project. The elephant camp is an ecotourism project supporting sick and old elephants who are not able to work as well as unemployed Mahouts (elephant trainers) to provide both with better opportunities, homes and food. A reforestation project works to restore and maintain the local jungle damaged by local practices, and work with the community to change their behavior to make better use of their resources. And work in the local schools provide this rural community an opportunity to develop English, environmental and leadership skills to build a future works with local children - training them how to work as environmental guides and educate them for a future in eco- tourism
Role of the Intern:
Interns bring an international perspective to the work of conservation and ecotourism, passing along their knowledge and enthusiasm to local residents who will benefit the most from this work. Within the elephant camp help is needed with marketing, developing materials and learning English. In the community jungle, tree planting and building water system for the replanting of trees and firebreaks is important and within the schools there is both the need for people to help with building and water sanitation work as well as the schools education program - teaching English, environmental and leadership skills.
Skills Required:
No specific skills are required for this project, but any background or training in forestry, environmental sciences, tourism or similar fields is a bonus. Experience in teaching can be an advantage and any experience in marketing would also help.
TREE PLANTING AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Description of the Project:
Rebuilding a lost forest and other eco-projects are the focus of this placement, where ProWorld’s environmental volunteers join local NGOs in their grassroots efforts to protect and preserve natural resources. Volunteers mainly participate in forest conservation and environmental education programs designed to teach locals sustainable practices, habits and pursuits. The projects take place within Doi Suthep National Park and the surrounding area to rebuild deforested lands. Volunteers have opportunities to engage in various environmental projects, as well as provide insight into developing small-scale eco-projects.
Role of the Intern:
Interns bring an international perspective to the work of reforestation and conservation, passing along their knowledge and enthusiasm to local residents who will benefit the most from this work. Interns help staff with tree planting, research, and training sessions. Interns can also join the international schools education program, where they work with education staff to coordinate and implement project modules at school events at the project nurseries. Interns help staff to organize project workshops, help create presentations, and report on workshop outcomes.
Skills Required:
No specific skills are required for this project, but any background or training in forestry, environmental sciences or similar fields is a requirement. Experience in teaching school-aged children would be an advantage and basic computing skills, including email and Microsoft Excel, would also help.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO IN THAILAND
ProThailand's host communities face impediments to economic and social growth, such as lack of education and resources for individual growth, social support for children, women, and elderly groups, gender & ethnic discrimination, and marginalized communities.
ProThailand Social and Economic Development Interns participate in a wide variety of social and/or economic projects, such as teaching language and arts. Other opportunities that exist are research, business administration, & advocacy.
Social and Economic Development projects in Chiang Mai, Thailand include:
WOMEN'S RIGHTS - THE WILDFLOWER HOME
Description of the Project:
The Garden of Hope is an NGO that reaches out to women, children, and youth involved in, at risk of, or affected by prostitution, sexual exploitation and/or trafficking. The goal of The Garden of Hope is to offer comprehensive, holistic programs that bring restoration and healing to those in, at risk of, or exiting prostitution and trafficking in Northern Thailand and its borders. The Garden of Hope operates a Women's and Children's Drop-In Center in one of the red-light districts in Chiang Mai. The Women's Drop in Center offers relationships, conversational English, trauma counseling, vocational training, and life skills development to women in the bars. The Children's Drop-In Center offers childcare, tutoring, Thai and English instruction, meals, and a safe place for street children of the red-light district.
Role of the Intern:
The Garden of Hope depends on short and long term volunteers and interns to do outreach in the bars, staff the Drop-in Centers, help with administration, write grants, provide computer and IT services, teach English, train in Western baking and cooking, work with street children, etc.
Skills Required:
No specific skills are required, but a compassion for the situation that has led these women to get involved in the sex industry is very important. Any skills or experience relating to social work, administration or teaching are a bonus. Some placements within this project require long-term volunteers, but many are available for short term. We will shape your placement around your skills, interests and length of stay.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND BUSINESS - WEAVE (WOMEN'S EDUCATION FOR ADVANCEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT)
Description of the Project:
Motivated by the vision of a world where women and their children are free to exercise their human rights, WEAVE is committed to teaching women to become socially, economically and politically empowered. WEAVE (Women's Education for Advancement and Empowerment) was founded in 1990, with the intent to empower indigenous women and support their needs and basic human rights. The organization has evolved over the years, especially in the context of the influx of refugees from Burma.
Role of the Intern:
Interns can work within the following areas:
-Early Childhood Development
-Women’s Capacity Development
- Health-related publication
-Income generating projects and marketing
-IT and Communication-related activities (website, newsletters, etc)
Skills Required:
Participants should be interested in women's issue and able to stay for a month. Creativity is essential to these projects.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND TRAFFICKING - CHILDREN'S ORGANIZATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIA (COSA)
Description of the Project:
The origin COSA was the result of several community groups coming together with collective goals. COSA provides education, food, shelter and care for girls who are victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. They also provide shelter for girls who have been, or are maybe at risk of being trafficked to brothels etc. Additionally, they work directly with communities to provide trainings and support to prevent trafficking of women and girls.
COSA main objectives are to promote social welfare at grass-root levels to solve social and environmental issues. Working from a participatory and democratic framework with members of the community, COSA will aim to develop self-management skills in socio-economic strengthening programs. In order to ensure a focus on community development structures, which emphasize models of self-determination and community ownership, local resources and knowledge will be used in developing the programs and in turn ensuring their success.
Role of the Intern:
Interns can partake in teaching English, but can also teach classes in self-confidence, leadership, promoting self-esteem, good health and other useful topics. Many of the residents at COSA are trying to support themselves with agriculture, so COSA would like support from people with knowledge of organic farming and self-sufficiency.
Skills Required:
Because of the situation that these women are in, COSA mainly accepts female volunteers unless there is a male who has special skills and abilities that they are able to offer. It is also important to note that COSA is located outside the city of Chiang Mai and volunteers will stay at COSA during the week and then will return back to the city on the weekends.
CHILDREN - THE LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
Description of Project:
The Life Skills Development Foundation was founded as part of Save the Children (USA) in 1998 with the aim to develop the rights of children and their quality of life. They work in upper north of Thailand focusing on early childhood care development, education, life skills curriculum, orphanages, and children living with HIV. Their projects include strengthening the community-based approach to solve the problems of children living in border area or made vulnerable by HIV. They work in partner with both local NGOs and government organizations and funded by UNICEF.
Role of the Intern:
Interns can partake in developing curriculum, training materials, data collection and other documents. Also, anything that they can do to help work with the children to help improve their quality of life is much appreciated.
Skills Required:
The minimum for this internship is 2-3 month intern period. The foundation is especially looking for someone with writing and research skills with a background in education.
JOURNALISM - SHAN HAROLD AGENCY FOR NEWS
Description of the Project:
Work with a publishing project that documents the issues and news of the minority communities of Burma and Thailand. Project leaders have been publishing reports and periodicals on the state of these communities in Shan, Burmese, English, and Thai. Write and publish feature articles such as politics and literature articles, human rights reports and opinion columns, with the goal of educating others about the issues faced by minority populations in this part of the world.
Why the project needs you:
Native English speakers who are interested in social journalism, psychology, sociology, and human rights issues are needed for this project. These publications aim to empower the disadvantaged minority populations of Burma and Thailand and to shed light on the struggles and challenges they face, particularly relocation, refugee issues and human rights violations. Only by bringing these issues to the attention of the people will they ever be addressed.
Role of the Intern:
Interns focus their attention on compiling data, conducting research, and writing articles based on social, political, health, and tourism-related subjects. Interns may also be asked for help writing research proposals and conducting interviews for research as well. There may also be opportunities for writing reports, editing, proofreading, learning basic Thai and updating website content.
Skills Required:
The intern must have an academic education (preferably in social fields) as well as journalism and writing skills, with a high interest in social issues. Fluent English speakers are needed to write the articles, interviews, and proofread articles in English. Knowledge about website management would be extremely useful, as the project's web site can always use a helping hand. Volunteers must be able to travel to rural areas.
BUSINESS - HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
Description of the Project:
Heifer International is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to relieving global hunger and poverty. It provides gifts of livestock and plants, as well as education in sustainable agriculture, to financially disadvantaged families around the world.
Role of the Intern:
This organization is looking for support with their marketing and fundraising outreach. They are looking for a motivated and skilled volunteer who can support their numerous efforts to promote their organization and look for funding.
Skills Required:
Marketing, communication and writing skills, experiences developing grant proposals or other marketing materials are an advantage.
Volunteers would need to commit to a two/three month minimum.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - THAI YOUTH ACTION PROJECT
Description of the Project:
Thai Youth Action Programs (TYAP) is a Thai Non Government Organization that works with, supports and is led by youth from the communities of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand. TYAP has been working from Chiang Mai since 1995 and today TYAP supports up to 10 community youth groups per year, as well as various media community youth groups around the Chiang Mai province. The NGO supports youth to address current issues revolving around HIV/Aids, sexual education, peer pressure, drug and alcohol issues, sexuality, gender, identity, violence and environment.
Role of the Intern:
Interns would partake in marketing support for tours, products, fundraising and website design. There is also opportunity to help create media projects for the youth and teach English in several different schools in the area.
Skills Required:
Any background in marketing, media, or business would be helpful. The interns should have patience and enthusiasm in working with children. Any teaching background would be very valuable as well. Interns must be able to commit to this project for 2-3 months minimum.
EDUCATION - BAAN BA KHAO LAM SCHOOL
Description of the project:
A volunteer placement in Baan Ba Khao Lam is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live and work in a beautiful hill tribe village. The school is run by volunteers and funded completely by donations, but still manages to provide an education to several hundred children.
This small village in the mountains is surrounded by pristine jungle, typical of South-East Asia. While beautiful, the area lacks consistent electricity supplies, telephones and easy access to the rest of Thailand. Nonetheless, it is increasingly affected by tourism as people go trekking, bamboo rafting and elephant riding. The negative effects of these activities have significantly impacted the lives of the villagers. The school and the community leaders hope to address these issues by teaching the children to take their future into their own hands, through improved management, communication and other skills. The community of Baan Ba Khao Lam is seeking to make tourism more sustainable and use it as a way to secure the future of their village. Volunteers here will have an amazing opportunity to help this community move forward as they work for these important goals.
Role of the Intern:
The school would like to improve the quality of the education that they are currently offering their students. With limited resources and few teachers the administration struggles to get along. As a volunteer teacher here you would be giving these children a unique opportunity to improve their English language skills.
Skills Required:
This placement is for more adventurous volunteers, as they will be a three-hour drive from the nearest civilization. There is limited electricity, limited phones etc in this village, but it provides a great experience to live in with the hill tribes population and gain an amazing insight into their lives. A Karen family in the village would host all volunteers, further expanding the opportunity for volunteers to experience the local culture. ProWorld Thailand would provide Thai lessons and other cultural activities on the weekends.
EDUCATION - MAE DTA MAN SCHOOL
Description of the project:
The volunteering position at Mae Dta Man School provides a unique opportunity for ProWorld Thailand volunteers to work for the environment and social and economic development. All volunteers at this location will be housed at the Thai Elephant Home where they will have the opportunity to support the camp mission of providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly elephant program to all their customers. The camp also maintains and replants local community forests, all volunteers will have opportunities to support this work and live and work side by side with the elephants and mahouts (elephant trainers) here.
The village school in Mae Dta Man educates more than 200 children from kindergarten until the age of 14. The students here represent the diverse make up of surrounding villages and include Thai, Karen, Lisu and Lahu students. The school headmaster and the local authorities have realized that these children are growing up at a time when a number of outside influences are affecting their communities. As such the school seeks to empower all their students with extra skills and abilities that will enable them to take control of their future. ProThailand volunteers provide an essential service by teaching the students English. Students with good English skills will be empowered to work more effectively with tourism and tourist businesses in the area and or work in other areas.
Role of the Intern:
- Teach English and other environmental and leadership skills to the students of the school.
- Develop and improve methods for conserving the local environment and culture.
- Help enable students to become leaders in the community and develop and improve methods for conserving the local environment and culture.
Skills Required:
A love of children is a must as all your volunteer work is directed toward improving their lives. Any previous work with children, teaching experience or community/youth group work is an advantage. All volunteers should be positive, patient and enthusiastic.
EDUCATION - TEACHING ENGLISH TO MONKS AT A BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY
Description of the project:
This fascinating project works with a University established by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, Rama V as an institute for Tipitaka studies and higher education for Buddhist monks, novices and laypeople. This university has a strong commitment to be the leading international center educating people, conducting research, developing and integrating Buddhist knowledge with the sciences and providing Buddhist academic services that lead to the balanced and sustainable development of human beings, societies and environment. The university is attended by Buddhist monks from all over South-East Asian and presents an excellent opportunity to learn about Buddhism and this part of Asia.
Role of the Intern:
Volunteers either work alongside a teacher as an assistant or for those who are experienced in teaching may run their own classes.
Skills Required:
Teaching skills, especially in English, would be an asset, but is not essential. Volunteers must be open-minded and culturally sensitive in an environment that has many behavioral rules. Thai Buddhists are proud to accommodate other religions and cultures are often very interested in others and likely to engage in discussion about your personal ideologies.
EDUCATION - THE HEAVEN HOUSE ORPHANAGE BAAN SANG THAI DAROON OR A THAI ORPHANAGE
Description of the project:
This orphanage was founded by a Christian Hmong and his Thai wife to help the Hmong people live a better life. At the Heaven House, Hmong children, especially orphans and poor children, can come to live and learn for free. This orphanage aims to bridge the gap that denies quality education from Hmong children.
Role of the Intern:
-Teach English to the children
- Create activities that include games, sports, arts, music, etc…
Skills Required:
Volunteers must have patience and enthusiasm for working with children. Any previous experience working with children or teaching is an asset.
EDUCATION - NORTHERN THAILAND READING ASSOCIATION (working with refugees and migrants from Burma)
Description of the project:
Work for the social justice and education of minority groups and political refugees, to further their chances of good employment and their ability to have a better quality of life. This project runs as an educational institute operating independently, based in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. . It seeks to improve the quality of education in refugee camps, ceasefire regions, and remote areas of Burma and migrant workers in Thailand. The project trains new teachers, promoting active learning, critical thinking and democratic practice in schools, providing professional development opportunities for existing teachers, and developing educational policy and practice.
Role of the Intern:
The main roles for interns here involve education. Teaching the children English is important, as is teaching the adults English and making the learning relevant to their daily lives. Adults are taught to conduct transactions in English, whether it's by shopping in the market, filling in hospital forms and bank account information, and other relevant life situations they encounter. Interns join a team that provides training in computer skills and English language.
Skills Required:
This project requires volunteers that have skills teaching English and computer literacy, as well as curriculum development. Volunteers with experience of proofreading, editing and journalism skills are also very welcome.
*Also must be willing to work on this project for 1-3 months.
Excursions
- Visiting Doi Suthep National Park, or other National Parks of the North
- Visiting Thai artisan village communities, museums, markets, & or temples
- Participating in cultural courses, such as Thai cooking, Thai massage, &, as a requirement, Thai language courses
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