English Teaching Volunteering in Chiang Rai, Thailand

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

Volunteering in Thailand was genuinely one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I went into the program excited but unsure of what to expect, and I left feeling more connected, inspired, and grateful than I ever imagined. Teaching English to children for five weeks pushed me far outside my comfort zone in the best possible way. The kids greeted every lesson with energy, curiosity, and huge smiles, and their excitement made even the most challenging days feel meaningful. Watching them slowly gain confidence in speaking, reading, and interacting in English was incredibly rewarding. It made me realize how powerful patience, consistency, and genuine care can be when working with young learners. What surprised me most was how much I grew personally. Being in a new country, adapting to different routines, and learning how to communicate across language barriers taught me resilience and flexibility. There were moments where I had to think on my feet, adjust plans, or find new ways to teach a concept, and those moments ended up being the ones that taught me the most. I learned to trust myself, stay calm, and choose kindness first—skills I’ll carry with me forever. But the people I met along the way were just as unforgettable as the experience itself. I went with my best friend, but we quickly built a little family with other volunteers, teachers, and locals. We explored markets, beaches, and temples together; we shared meals, stories, and laughs; and we created memories that I know will stay with me for life. Thailand has a way of bringing people together. The warmth and generosity of the community made every day feel special, and the friendships I made there are ones I’m incredibly grateful for. Living in Thailand also allowed me to experience its culture in a deeper, more authentic way. From learning basic Thai phrases to trying new foods and observing traditions, every day taught me something new. The country is beautiful in every sense—its landscapes, its culture, and its people. It’s impossible not to fall in love with it. Looking back, volunteering in Thailand wasn’t just a trip; it was a meaningful chapter of growth, connection, and joy. I would absolutely do it again, and I truly can’t wait for the day I go back.

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.

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!

During my time in Thailand I was able to experience the most amazing things. From volunteering teaching English, to waterparks, beaches, forests, city life, and hanging out wth everyone from the accomodation the trip was unforgettable. IVHQ made the process so simple, easy to understand and upfront so I knew what to expect walking into it.

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.

I really loved my 3 weeks in Hua Hin (one week of culture week and two of teaching English). The local team were very supportive and welcoming and provided us with great accommodation, transport and food. My volunteer programme allowed me to make a direct impact in the community by helping lots of children age 6-15 learn and improve their English skills. As an 19 year old girl who was travelling solo for the first time, I felt very safe and supported and made many great friends with the other volunteers. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to step out of their comfort zone and make a difference!

The opportunity to work with children has been incredibly precious to me. Experiencing the local lifestyle was eye-opening and completely new, challenging but extremely enriching. As someone used to a Western lifestyle, volunteering in Thailand offered unique challenges and rewards. It taught me the values of gratitude, love, and simplicity. For anyone hesitant about joining this program, I would say that while it may be challenging, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. You’ll gain invaluable experiences and a deeper appreciation for different cultures.

The highlight from the volunteer experience was everything! From teaching the most amazing children and learning so much about their culture to travelling with my newly found friends to Bangkok for the weekend. The program is so much more than just working with children, it‘s the people you meet the places you see, all of it is eye opening. It awakened an urge to travel and volunteer all over the world. I want to work with more children, animals and adults and learn more about all the different cultures in this world. What I would say to someone still hesitant about volunteering abroad is just do it! It is so cliché but not once did I regret going abroad. Once I was there and met the most amazing people I just asked myself why I didn’t do this earlier.

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.

The highlight from the volunteer experience was meeting the other volunteers as they were from different parts of the world and immersing ourselves into each other cultures as well as learning another one. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was gaining more confidence in myself and my ability to interact more within my community. My advice is just go for it. If you're scared about meeting new people, you do have the option of doing it with friends but once you are there, you'll notice that majority of everyone is solo. So everyone is in the same boat of not knowing what they are getting themselves into but are truly doing this experience as open-minded and welcoming as they can be.

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.

I am not gonna lie, exactly EVERY moment was my favorite moment! Some highlight examples are we went to beach with other volunteers watching sunset together, exploring night marketing and sharing food. The night out on Friday night is so much fun. Apart from that, preparing lesson and teaching lovely kids, kids are hugging us so tight and they would not let us go. I really love the moment. One of the sad moment but also my favorite moment is that we cried when the day I left. One of the volunteers hug me and said: "aww you are crying because you really enjoy the trip and have a great experience" There are so many memories stay in my head, and my camera roll! The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was that everything is possible and going alone is not scary. You will make so many friends along the way. My advice is you never try you never know! You are capable doing that! just book a flight ticket and go! Do not hesitant! This trip will be forever remembered for the rest of you 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 previously participated in a trip abroad to represent my country abroad in the field of art and music, and we got third place in singing. I am a girl who loves to travel and help others, especially since I am a doctor. I am used to caring about the health of others. I strive to volunteer in many fields

My favorite moment was the last day of the programme as this was something very touching!! The kids made us so many presents and gifts and they were crying, they were so grateful for the opportunity they had and we really built a special bond! I actually still keep in contacts with them. The fulfilment you feel and the emotional relationship that you create was the biggest impact my volunteering had on me. You’ll meet so many amazing people and helping people less privileged than us will make you feel so many sensations!

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.

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewAugust 26, 2019

Hi Camille, thanks for your review and contribution to our volunteer program in Thailand. It's fantastic to hear that you felt so supported during your stay. We'd love to have you back soon! ^Will - IVHQ Thailand Program Manager