Description

Help build a sustainable community and improve the quality of life in a life changing community development program. International Student Volunteers (a non-profit organization) offers you the chance to volunteer in a community development program that will improve that quality of life for some of the country's poorest areas. After your project you will follow it up with an amazing two week adventure tour with activities such as an overnight sea kayaking adventure, snorkeling, white water rafting, a jungle/hill tribe trek and you will also get to visit the vibrant bustling city of Chiang Mai with its entertaining night markets and stunning temples.

About ISV's community infrastructure building project:
Many of ISV's community infrastructure projects are located within Thailand's tsunami stricken areas. Volunteers will find themselves working alongside members of the community in a joint effort to make a physical difference in the lives of the local Thai community. You will find yourself tending to the direct needs of the community by building much needed infrastructure such as community centers and schools for some of the Thailand's most impoverished areas. You will become an important and welcome part of these communities who need assistance as you work towards an improved standard of living.

Other Volunteer Projects in Thailand:
elephant conservation, orphanage programs, monkey rehabilitation, teaching English, children's education, coastal environmental management.

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.

Travel Types

• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Cooking
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Kayaking (Sea)
• RainForest Tours
• Snorkeling
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Trekking
• Vacation Packages
• Volunteering
• Water Skiing

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 see website for details.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• 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

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays
• 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