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The majority of organizations ProThailand is partnered with for internships require a commitment of at least one month. This is to ensure sufficient exchange, cultural learning, and exposure to the development issue(s) at hand. In addition, to ensure better cultural understanding and help to eliminate language barriers while in Thailand, ProThailand requires and arranges Thai language courses for all interns.

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.

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.

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.

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

• Fundraising and Administrative Support
  
• Health Education, Publication, and Research
  
• Outreach and Field Clinics to Urban and Rural Communities (Interns are restricted from contacting community members, unless granted special permission from partner organizations)
  

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. 

• Conservation, Research, & Monitoring
  
• Environmental Education
• Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives
  

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. 

• Community Development
  
• Education and Advocacy
  
• Women's Empowerment
  
• Immigrant and Minority Support

Excursions

ProThailand offers cultural visits to temples and archeological sites, local hikes, and cultural outings. Based on duration of program, excursions may include:

• 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
  

During free weekends, volunteers can also plan their own excursions. When you're ready, apply at www.myproworld.org/apply