Volunteer in Thailand with the World’s Top-Rated Provider

I was ‘sold’ on arranging my volunteer experience through International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) the moment I learned that IVHQ is a B-Corporation. That designation I had learned is conferred to for-profit businesses that meet rigorous standards for ethics, social responsibility, accountability, and environmental impact. Working with IVHQ was a truly wonderful experience. Preparation for the trip entailed stepping through a polished – I’d say flawless -step-by-step manual with a checklist and viewing videos that introduce the mission, responsibilities, protocols, and help set one’s expectations. A Program Manager in New Zealand was [virtually] with me to guide me through my preparations and to answer questions that arose. Once in Thailand, a local team stepped in to guide us and care for us. Every individual on the Thailand team was extremely welcoming, fun to work with, and willing to go the extra mile to meet our needs. They obviously love their work and are excellent at it. The accommodations were fantastic and the authentic food was delicious and plentiful. The opportunity to sit together with other volunteers during meals to share stories and learn about other cultures was amazing. (My co-volunteers came from around the globe.) Working with elephants in the sanctuary was almost indescribably incredible. While tasks of feeding, planting, harvesting, cleaning, and escorting the elephants into the mountains each day were rigorous at times, at no point in time was I not aware that we were doing meaningful, high impact work for good. From the very beginning, through planning, living in the accommodations, working in the sanctuary, learning every moment, being side-by-side with remarkable coworkers, and having exceptional support from the Thailand team, this IVHQ experience exceeded all of my hopes and wishes. I was honored and surprised when my coworkers and folks on the Thailand team joined me in celebrating my 76th birthday. In my three quarters of a century of personal experiences, this one with elephants in Thailand ranks very high among my most cherished and impactful adventures. JPS

Mi piacerebbe ringraziare HQ Volunteer per questa esperienza meravigliosa! La consiglierei a chiunque abbia voglia di mettersi in gioco ed immergersi in una nuova cultura, conoscendo nuove persone e aiutando il prossimo. Ringrazio di cuore tutto il team locale, estremamente disponibile e sempre pronto a risolvere qualsiasi tipo di problema. Grazie mille

Though it is a self funded program, the experience and lessons, the memories that you get to take back home is priceless. It rejuvenates you and it is like a self discovery retreat where you get to do good deeds and make a positive impact in the world.

I gained so much from this experience. It was amazing to be able to help a local community and see the positive impacts of my work. I met so many amazing people across different countries and cultures, and got to connect with a new culture and a different way of life. My advice would be to take the leap and go on a volunteer abroad. Have no expectations and an open mind.

This volunteer experience was a decision that was made after a large change happened in my life. It was meant to give myself a different perspective on life and I can say that it absolutely did that. I am incredibly grateful for the people I met and experiences I had. I will absolutely be doing another trip similar to this in the future, and for this time a longer stretch of time. I gained a different perspective on life and how people live across the world from me. I got to sit and reflect on how small my problems seem in comparison to others. I was hesitant to join at first, but after going through a difficult change in my life I felt I needed a culture shock and to just be completely out of my element. Which is exactly what happened, there were new foods, cultural traditions, and environmental surroundings. I can say that I never once felt nervous once I was picked up at the airport. I feel everything was handled smoothly and efficiently. A peace of advice is to take lots of pictures for your own memories, and at night journal to decompress from all the events of the day. I’d also advise going with a friend for your first time if you can because it gives you friendly face, but also I met so many incredible people, I’d love to conquer this alone next trip!

I made so many great friends during the experience, and it really pushed me to be more open-minded. Stepping out of my comfort zone helped me grow—I used to be in my own little bubble, but trying new things changed that. I met people from all over the world, and we still keep in touch even after the volunteer trip. The connections I made felt so strong because we shared meaningful experiences that just aren’t possible back home. I was deeply touched by the people I met, their cultures, and especially the culture of Thailand. It made me reflect a lot on the world and on myself. If you’re unsure about joining, I totally get it—I was hesitant too. But this experience honestly changed me in the best way. I stepped out of my comfort zone and realized how much I’d been living in my own little bubble. Volunteering gave me the chance to meet amazing people from all over the world, many of whom I’m still in touch with. The friendships and memories we built through shared experiences were so genuine and deep—something you just can’t get back home. I was really moved by the people I met and the culture in Thailand. It opened my eyes and helped me grow as a person. If you're on the fence, I’d say go for it—it might just be the thing that changes your perspective, too.

I volunteered in the childcare program in Hua Hin. The accommodation (they call it the villa) was beautiful, great pool, super spacious, and they provided delicious food. The kids at the kindergartens were adorable, you get to form such valuable bonds with them and they really look up to and love you. The local team was amazing, always making us laugh and there to help. Thailand was a beautiful country, but Hua Hin specifically wasn't my favorite. There was not a lot to do in the area and the beaches were not very pretty, but definitely a super local feel and it starts to feel like home. If you are there longer than a week, its super easy to get some of the other volunteers together to travel (a couple of us went to Krabi for the weekend). The local staff is super understanding about taking some days off or helping you navigate the country or whatever it may be. I met amazing people, and overall would super recommend IVHQ to anyone. I think about this trip every day and miss it so much.

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The highlight for me was meeting all the new people from all around the world and making amazing friends whilst helping out the local community. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was building as a person and becoming more confident. What I would say to future volunteers is do it as it is worth it and it will be the most amazing experience of you life, I was scared but it was the best time of my life.

My favourite moment was for sure the program in which I volunteered in, as well as, meeting all the people at the accommodation. They were all so unique and special in their own way, and also played a role in helping me grow during my journey. Volunteering in Thailand taught me the importance of gratitude. I started to appreciate all the things I have in life and I was truly reminded of all the things that truly matters to me. This experience helped me cherish my ability to positively impact the children I met, by helping them learn and develop in these early stages of their lives. Working on the childcare program brought out qualities within me that I would have never realised existed and inspired me to strive to be a better individual everyday whilst being there. To see each individual and unique smile on every child's face made it all so worthwhile, as well as knowing that I've made a difference, no matter the size, was truly rewarding. It’s an experience you will never forget. You only live once, and if you’re wanting to make a change in any shape or form, volunteering with IVHQ will change your life.

It almost feels impossible to pick just one favorite moment from my three months in Thailand. Honestly, seeing the kids improve from week to week was my favorite part. It was so fulfilling to see them gain more confidence in their speaking and know that I played a part in that. This volunteering trip cultivated so much confidence. I never imagined I would be brave enough to do half of the stuff I did while in Thailand. I navigated a bus station by myself, I ate pig intestines, I showered with a bucket, and I was always having a good time while doing these things. I was pushed out of my comfort zone in so many ways, and not only did I survive, but I thrived. Go in with an open mind and an open heart, and you will have the time of your life.

I did my volunteering in Thailand - Hua Hin, Hill Tribe Support. It was a great experience teaching kids English, and learning Thai from them at the same time. I enjoyed how to program is designed for many other things (i.e. hiking activities, going to the local market), and not only teaching. It was a very enjoyable experience getting to know other volunteers from around the world and getting to learn tons of the things about Thai culture, and Karen tribe culture as well. It was my first time volunteering abroad and it is definitely not the last.

I took my first international trip with IVHQ to Thailand this summer. Being a young adult on the other side of the world from everyone I know and in a brand new place, I still never felt like I was alone. The support was fantastic and the program was incredible. Teaching English to the local students was a meaningful and fun experience. When we weren't teaching English, we had the opportunity to explore temples, markets, beaches, and other local attractions. I will definitely consider volunteering with IVHQ again, as they have an incredible variety of programs all over the world for an affordable price.

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I volunteered in Thailand with the help of IVHQ. Samuel was always quick to answer all my questions and the application process was so simple. They also gave me loads of information to get ready for my experience. Volunteering was a great experience. I worked with locals and felt like I was really helping them help the less fortunate in their community. I also learned many valuable life lessons that I can take back with me. I love learning how they do things in Thailand and their life philosophy. We were also well taken care of as volunteers. The food was good, the accommodation was clean and comfortable. Of course, you have to be ready that it's not going to be a 5-star hotel but it was exactly as I was expecting. If you have an open heart and an open mind and you want to learn from a different culture, you will love your volunteering experience!

Volunteering with IVHQ was one of the best things I’ve done. I found them just through google and leaned towards their site because the prices seemed reasonable and they offered many programs in many locations. After I had decided I would probably use this program I ended up meeting 2 girls at my school who had also used IVHQ and loved it, so this confirmed my decision. I ultimately chose to volunteer in Thailand although there were so many that caught my interest. There I taught English and stayed for 3 weeks. They give you tons of information about where you'll be staying and are really quick to reply to any email or calls with questions. Also, any meals or housing provided is really great and the pictures and information given is all accurate which I was grateful for. With the Thailand program, I felt like I was actually making a difference and fulfilling a need within the hill tribe communities. You will meet so many awesome locals and get very close to all the other volunteers as you take on the new journey together. having gone by myself, this sense of community was really comforting and made the trip so much better. I would definitely use IVHQ in the future if I have time to volunteer again.

It’s the first time that I have been to Thailand and also the first time I have been abroad. I have imagined culture shock and all kinds of maladjustment before the travel. However, it seemed unnecessary. The staff in Mirror Foundation was so warm and helpful that we all fond our feet in one day. We arrived in Monday, and the programs started in Tuesday. I worked for the outwork program. The first day was spent mainly in finding the orientation. We introduced each other in a meeting house, watched a video about Mirror Foundation, learned something about hilltribes in Chiang Rai, understood the rules for living at Mirror Foundation, and most importantly, oriented ourselves in Mirror Foundation. The second and the third day we built a dam over a stream somewhere like a canyon. We were divided into three team, one digging and sending sand, one finding and sending stones and the last one constructing the dam. The teams worked extremely efficiently. We delivered sand, stones, and cement exceedingly efficiently and effectively in a row. With the help of local people, we completed it in one and a half days. The forth day we broaden a road somewhere near the canyon, maybe called Ban Du. Firstly we dug at the margin of a field, then we put it into bags, and finally we moved the bags to the road. By doing this, we can broaden the road as well as opening up wasteland for farming. Three days of work was really hard and uh...very dirty(forgive me for describing like this as I have never done something like building and gardening). I was very very tired, but when I was listening to the prey and thanks of local people at the end of the day, I was really happy. Not that I won’t feel weary after listening to the prey, but I do feel a kind of achievement, though I didn’t understand a word of the language spoken. The last day we went to the White Temple, a fairyland of white constructions. In the afternoon, the staff sent us to downtown and we say goodbye to each other. What impressed me mostly in the week were the kind local people and the food there. The local people are so hospitable that there was always enough food and help. I would never forget the wonderful night spent in my host family. The pineapples, the bananas, and the papayas there were sooooooo delicious. I can’t help eating them! Expect my next travel with IVHQ!

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