Description

The ISV Thailand Program
International Student Volunteers offers you the unique ability to combine meaningful volunteer projects and exciting adventure travel throughout Thailand. Volunteer projects include orphanage programs and education programs for homeless children as well as community building programs and working with poor communities and coastal villages that were devastated by the 2004 tsunami. Conservation projects also include volunteering in an elephant rescue park and maintaining a monkey rehabilitation sanctuary. After your incredible volunteer projects, ISV will take you on an amazing tour throughout some of Thailand's most stunning locations. Activities include an overnight sea-kayaking adventure, treks through the incredible hill tribe villages, rock climbing adventures, cultural exploration tours and even a Thai cooking class.

The Thailand Program contains the perfect balance of cultural, environmental and adventure activities and is perfect for those seeking cultural immersion and adrenaline-packed adventure! Experience the amazing customs, the incredible food, the stunning wildlife, friendly people and a way of living so different from your own, as you volunteer and travel throughout this remarkable land.

About ISV
International Student Volunteers Inc, is a US-based non-profit organization that offers globally minded participants the unique opportunity to combine meaningful volunteer projects and adventure travel. ISV has offices all over the world to look after over 4,000 participants who volunteer with us every year. ISV volunteers come from all countries and you don't have to be a student to participate. ISV offers programs in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Eastern Europe, South Africa and Ecuador. Because of ISV's strong educational focus, many university students apply to receive academic credit for their involvement in the program.

About Thailand:
Thailand is an exotic paradise filled with some of the world's most beautiful treasures. Sun-swept beaches, mystic temples, lush tropical rainforests and towering limestone cliffs are just a few of the wonders in store for you.

Despite the countrys beauty, rapid development to house its growing population and industrial demands have created a series of conservation and community development issues. Rural Thai communities need assistance with regard to sanitation and infrastructure development to handle the increases in population. Thailand also faces increased pressures caused by the influx of refugees from Burma, while its people and government have recognized the urgent need to support, protect and conserve Thailand's natural resources, particularly its wildlife. Much help is needed in this area.

Thailand is one to the most beautiful countries in the world. Let ISV show you the best of Thailand from the warm tropical reefs to the bustling markets or the incredible rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife.

Volunteer Projects
As an ISV volunteer, there is a diversity of opportunities where you can go deeper than being a tourist and actually help conservation and community development efforts in a strategic way. ISV has partnered with a number of local non-government organizations, orphanages and other grassroots groups to work on meaningful projects. ISV has projects spread across the country. By volunteering with ISV in Thailand you could find yourself assisting in any of these areas:

Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation: Make a difference to Thailand's elephants and monkeys!
Here's your chance to get up close and personal with some exotic wildlife! ISV has several projects located in wildlife rescue centers and wildlife sanctuaries. These sanctuaries include an elephant conservation park and a rehabilitation center for monkeys and gibbons. As a volunteer, you will be helping conserve native animals in a relatively natural setting and also teach others about how humans can better interact with these wonderful creatures.

Habitat Restoration: Volunteer in some of Thailand's most unique environments!
ISV is dedicated to assisting with numerous habitat restoration projects throughout Thailand on public and privately-owned land. Get ready to get your hands dirty by helping to rehabilitate land from dense jungles to rolling hills. The goal of these projects is to help restore important habitats and bio-diversity through native re-vegetation (planting) and tree nursery projects. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in rural Thai culture and its way of life.

Marine Conservation: Help improve island environments!
Marine environments in Thailand are heavily impacted by the increasing numbers of tourists on small islands. As a volunteer, you will play a vital role in the collection of data for the health of reefs and waterways that support island tourism. Prepare to strap on your boots and wade through estuaries, mangroves, beaches and river systems as you look deep into the health of Thailand's waterways.

Children-based programs: Make a child smile!
Thailand has a large population of homeless and abandoned children who may never get to experience what it means to be a child. ISV's children support projects are located throughout Thailand and combine community support, education, activities with children, and improving infrastructure at orphanages and schools. Be prepared to spend time teaching, creating games and activities, painting murals and repairing playgrounds with children from varied backgrounds.

Community support programs: Give a community everyday amenities you take for granted!
As Thailand develops and tries to adapt to the ever changing world, ISV's community support projects aim to assist villages and communities develop a sustainable standard of living. You will be volunteering to help develop village infrastructure such as running water systems, waste disposal systems, village access roads and signage. You will also help teach English to locals, which will give them a powerful tool to connect them to the rest of the world.

Adventure Tour
You will travel throughout Thailand's northern and southern regions, exploring the cultural capital of the north in Chiang Mai, historic and enchanting temples, hill tribe communities, primary forests, wild rivers, limestone caves and islands, stunning beaches, an elephant sanctuary, national parks, and the nation's capital city, Bangkok. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:

* Snorkeling around Koh Phi Phi
* Rock climbing, rappelling and exploring the deep spectacular caverns in the north of Thailand
* Sea-kayaking beautiful islands and hidden caves around Phang-Nga Bay
* Feeding and bathing elephants at an elephant conservation park
* Taking a two-day hill-tribe jungle trek, hiking in the jungles and to indigenous hill tribes in Northern Thailand
* Gaining an insight into the culture and tastes of Thailand at a cultural dinner and show
* Whitewater rafting the Mae Taeng River
* Attending a Thai cooking school
* Exploring the beautiful Khao Sok Lake and spotting a variety of wildlife

Highlights

Example achievements from last year:
Planted 11, 676 trees in buffer zones to national parks, forests and mangrove areas to improve habitat for local wildlife such as monkeys and elephants.

Taught English and facilitated children's activities with 350 orphans. Many of these children have physical and mental disabilities or are vulnerable Burmese refugees fleeing from political unrest in their home country.

Why travel with ISV?
* Combine meaningful volunteer projects with exciting adventure travel
* ISV has support offices in every program country we operate in
* Trained staff to guide your project and tour
* Group travel you will make friends from across the globe and not be alone
* Educational learn a lot and possibly receive academic credit (if applicable)
* ISV is not a sending agent we run our own programs with our own trained staff to ensure you have the most amazing experience possible.

Qualifications

No qualifications are necessary; ISV will give you all the training you need. To maximize your experience it is preferable you can speak English fluently. You do not need to speak the language of your host country, as you will have bi-lingual project and tour leaders to guide your experience. Minimum age is 18 years old by the time of departure. This program is open to everyone, not just students.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Program prices vary. Please visit our website.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Housing
• Food
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Your program price includes quite a lot:
* All accommodation
* All meals in first two weeks (volunteer project) - delicious local cuisine!
* Approximately half of your meals in the second two weeks (adventure tour)
* All ground transportation in the host country (including all in-country airport transfers)
* ISV Adventure Tour activities (minimum five incredible activities per tour)
* An ISV Project Leader to accompany you on the volunteer project
* An ISV Tour Leader to guide you on the Adventure Tour and make sure you have an amazing time
* All in-country orientations upon arrival in the host country
* All administration and promotion costs
* All pre-departure training, manuals and preparation of participants
* In country offices set up to coordinate projects and programs for participants
* Training of all host organizations
* All materials for projects (for example, bricks, mortar, wood, tools)
* Twenty-four hour support for you during the program through our dedicated office and program staff

The program cost also goes towards the equipment or building materials needed for your projects, your in-country support, your adventure activities, your amazing trained project and tour leaders, AND towards the ongoing sustainability and training of each project. We give you and our projects the support and structure many other volunteer organizations cannot, as we have an office in each country to look after your entire experience and develop lasting relationships with the communities in which we operate.

Cost does not include: passport costs, insurance, international flights, in-country domestic flights (if required), vaccinations, spending money, extra activities on tour (available through Optional Activity Package).

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Despite our name, any person may volunteer with ISV as long as they are over 18 years old. The majority of our participants are 18 to 30 years old, but we welcome anyone who wishes to join us and make a difference. You do not need any special skills to volunteer with ISV. We just ask that you are willing to give back to your host country; you are willing to learn as much as you can about the people, environment and issues facing your host country, and are ready to make the best friends along your adventure of a lifetime.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 Week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

International Student Volunteers's Mission Statement

To create an environment that combines conservation, community development, education and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in local communities abroad.

Year Founded

1981