Teaching Volunteering in Chiang Rai, Thailand

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!