Homestays in Thailand

Travel to Teach has volunteer homestay programs in small villages throughout Thailand. Volunteers can choose to live in the village, either with a teacher's family, in a house owned by the school or with a local familly. Many of the villages we teach in are less than an hours bus ride away from bigger Travel to Teach locations, so for those people who are interested in volunteering in a village but wish to stay in one of the dormitories then there is also the possibility to commute.

Spending time in a village is the best way to fully submerge oneself in Thai culture. Village life allows volunteers to enjoy the simple pleasures of rural Thailand, increase their understanding of Buddhist cultures intergrate into Thai life in a way which is often difficult in larger towns and cities.

Encouraged by the governments OTOP project http://www.thai-otop-city.com many villages will produce handicrafts that are distributed and sold throughout Thailand to subsidize their traditional agricultural lifestyles. Life in the villages in the north and north eastern parts of Thailand revolve around the Wat (the Buddhist Temple) and the rice paddies. In the south small harbors become the center of fishing communities. Unlike the highly industrialized places that many of our volunteers come from these rural communities are particularly scenic and often within a short distance of one of Thailand's many national parks.

Many of the people working in the big cities grew up in the countryside so spending even a short amount of time in a Thai village you can increase your understanding and affinity with the multi faceted Thai culture. Homestays are not for volunteers who seek the commodities of western life, the types of food available may be limited and there is little nightlife just people going about their normal daily lives.

You will find more information about Thai village life at http://www.isanpeople.net

Homestay Volunteer Programs

Volunteer work in our home stay villages is predominantly English teaching, either in local schools or at summer camps during school holidays. We also have some computer teaching opportunities and are looking to develop eco tourism programs in the near future.

Volunteer Programs
English Teaching
Summer Camps

General Homestay Information

Food
Because of the extremely friendly culture of Thailand, you will find yourself being offered breakfast, lunch, and dinner with many different people. This experience is highly recommended as it gives you a chance to taste the real foods of Thailand. Eating lunch with the Monks (at 11:30, for they cannot eat after 12:00 o'clock) is especially rewarding because the people strive to provide them with the best of foods. There are also food stalls in every village where you will always be able to get Pad Thai or Fried rice. Because you end up eating so much with the locals, you will be surprised at how little money you spend!

Weather
Weather varies depending on which village you are staying at and what time of year you are there.

Activities
There are many great activities provided in the village lifestyle. Besides teaching, which is the greatest way to get to know the people, the natural surroundings provide many opportunities to hike. The Monks at the Wats are more than enthusiastic to include you in their daily prayer ceremonies, and it is also possible to meditate with them several times a day. Depending on your location a short commute (sometimes only a few minutes on the bike) will get you to a local town center where you can find local convenience stores and internet cafes.

Weekend Retreats
Many of our homestay villages are located close to larger Travel to Teach volunteer locations and so its often possible for homestay volunteers to visit the larger locations during weekends to socialize with other volunteers and enjoy more Western comforts. We have homestay programs in close proximity to Nongkhai and Namsom and we will always endeavor to find you a bed in one of our dorms during weekends.

Transportation to the villages
Travel to Teach will accompany you to the village by either train or bus and introduce you to your local contact person.

Accommodation
Accommodation will vary according to the village you are staying in. You can expect your own bedroom however you should be prepared to sleep on Thai beds and use Thai style bathrooms and toilets.

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