April Leonard

Country: USA, Age: 23

April Leonard

It was nothing like I had expected... As cliche as it sounds my time in Thailand was just that.

I've always imagined teaching to be a very easy profession and I know now it absolutely is not!

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 15 April 2011

Rahn Goodhew

Country: Belgium, Age: 29

Rahn Goodhew

When I first arrived I really had no idea what to expect.

To me it felt like a place to live and call home, not just a place to visit.

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 18 February 2011

Letty Tsoi

Country: Australia, Age: 30

Letty Tsoi

I joined this program as an English ‘teacher’ – and this teacher was also a student in so many ways!

I have travelled for longer periods doing ‘normal’ tourist things, but the experiences, emotions and human bonds that arose from this trip far exceeded those from any of my other holidays!

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 24 December 2010

Aaron Joseph

Country: Australia, Age: 21

Aaron Joseph

We rented a motorcycle today! We rode around the island and went to a cliff top viewpoint overlooking the ocean which was very beautiful. We stopped at a beach and had lunch at a restaurant with tables right at the water's edge.

I went sightseeing with Eiw and Alex. We visited a big temple where Eiw prayed to Buddha and got a very good fortune from a fortune teller.

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 16 April 2010

David Probert

Country: USA, Age: 40

David Probert

After recently returning from teaching English for two weeks in PhonPhisai, I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life...From the time I arrived in Udon Thani and was met by Jack and some of the other volunteers, I knew it was going to be a great experience.

I was amazed and impressed at the passion shown by the teachers currently there as many of them want to give, give, give to help these students learn more, while being so pressed for time and resources that any assistance from a foreign volunteer helper is so welcome.

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 21 November 2009

Barbara Spreng

Country: Great Birtain, Age: 35

Barbara Spreng

I found the children to be so shy at first, however they quickly warm up to you. Take your camera, plenty of photo ops! The teachers can't do enough for you. I quickly felt at home.

Whenever possible Jack would take me sightseeing in his old car. Local wats which would later lead to big discussions of Buddhist theology. Special local events. Beauty pageants. Cooking contests. Weddings and funerals! Jack is only too happy to share his knowledge and love if Islam, his home.

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 27 September 2009

Broniya Rogoz

Country: Holland, Age: 22

Broniya Rogoz

The kids and the people find it really great, but most of all interesting, that there is a foreigner in their village and that's something you can really feel here.

They welcomed me with open arms and I've may seen and learn a lot in this beautiful area. Always careful and helpful people around me, that's the best thing somebody can have.

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 1 May 2008

Jeroen Fierens

Country: Holland, Age: 19

Jeroen Fierens

Teaching there wasn't always easy, especially in the lower classes, because their English is mainly limited to 'Good moooorning teeeaaacher, how aaaare you?

I've stayed with Jack for almost 8 weeks, and I have enjoyed every single day of my stay. I arrived the same day as two girls from Holland and together we went to the primary school in Ban Dungkhampee.

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 1 January 2008

Joe Pournovin

Country: England, Age: 23

Joe Pournovin

I discovered so much about the world and myself. Yet, there seems tobe something in my heart which urges me to return there one day in the future to rediscover the adventurous Joe, and to rekindle the friendships which I forged.

I'm Joe, I'm 23 and from Manchester, England. Last September, I stayed with Jack and his family for just over 2 months whilst volunteering to teach English in the small town of Phonphisai. My original thought of coming to Thailand was forpurely teaching experience. But after completing my 2 months in Phonphisai.

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 1 January 2008

Sarah Baxtor

Country: USA, Age: 23

Sarah Baxtor

From the moment I arrived everyone was very welcoming. Jack's mom was particularly kind in helping me get settled. Over the next several days I began meeting Jack's extended family.

It was a bit of a transition moving from hectic Los Angeles to a small village on the banks of the Mekong, but the months I spent in Phon Phisai was some of the most enjoyable I've experienced and educational.

Project: Teaching English
Volunteered: 1 January 2008

David Styles

Country: UK, Age: 26

David Styles

I've spent most of my time teaching various IT courses including basic computing, Microsoft Office, HTML and Photoshop.

Perhaps the most satisfying thing about the computing course is how far the students can progress in a short space of time, some of them going from being unable to even use a mouse at the start of the basic course to being able to being confident in Excel, Word and even Photoshop only a few weeks later.

Project: Teach Basic Computer or Advanced IT Skills
Volunteered: 1 June 2005