Description

Thailand, the land of smiles, and the gateway country of Southeast Asia, draws more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia thanks to breathtaking natural beauty, ornate temples, robust cuisine, and ruins of ancient kingdoms. Buddhism, which places a high value on hospitality and kindness, is the dominant religion, and you are likely to see orange-robed monks and statues of the Buddha. Thailand is a country of incredible beauty with breathtaking temples, lofty mountains, sandy beaches, and fertile plains dotted with rice paddies. English is widely spoken, especially in the cities, and is a required subject in secondary schools and universities. Thai food reflects a blend of ancient with modern by offering a variety of flavors and just the right spices. Satisfy your appetite as you discover lifelong friends, an exotic culture, and age-old traditions.

Highlights

Year, Gap Year, Semester, Gap semester, Summer Community Service, and Summer Homestay Programs:

If you are participating in the Year, Gap Year, Semester, and Gap Semester there will be a welcome camp upon arrival in Thailand. After a few days you will meet your host family and start school. Education is very important in Thailand and students give countless hours to the school and their studies. Uniform is required and will be given to you by the school. School is also the perfect place for you to make new friends. School is a place where a lot of socializing happens for young people. You even have the choice to meet new friends by doing after school activities like Thai boxing.

Students in the Summer Community Service program will perform community service for seven weeks and enjoy a summer like no other. Teach English and serve as a teachers aide in a traditional school or even tutor adults; assist secondary school health or physical education teachers develop programs to reduce problems in schools or highlight social/health issues; or work in a local hospital. You'll live with a host family, make new friends, and become involved in community life while learning about the local culture. You can earn up to 105 hours of community service credit.

Upon arriving in Thailand for the Summer Homestay program you will be brought to a 2 day orientation. Once the orientation is complete you will either be picked up by your host family or brought to your host family. For seven weeks you will live with the host family, while attending a local school. After school you could possibly do after school activities, like playing a sport, or spend time with your Thai family or local community.

Qualifications

- Be within the program age range at the start of the program. Refer to website.
- Have a minimum 2.8 GPA
- Be in good mental, physical and emotional health.

Languages

• English
• Thai

Cost in US$:

Please refer to the AFS-USA Website

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• International travel
• Language instruction
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country

Program Fees Include:

- Professional guidance and support throughout the entire application and program
- Placement with a carefully selected volunteer host family
- Placement with a host school
- Round-trip international travel
- Orientations prior to departure and after your arrival
- Comprehensive secondary medical insurance
- Visa information
- Access to a support network that includes AFS Professional Staff in the U.S. and your host country, plus thousands of trained volunteers worldwide.
- 24-hour emergency assistance

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American Participants.

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview Required
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Typically The Application Process Time is

varies

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

AFS Intercultural Programs/USA's Mission Statement

AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Year Founded

1947