Thailand Links
* Frequently asked questions on Travel to Teach
* Frequently asked questions on Teaching
* Frequently asked questions on traveling and packing
* Frequently asked questions on Thai Culture
Frequently asked questions on Travel to Teach
Why should people pay to do volunteer work?
As we state throughout this web site, we are altogether independent and
hence have no external funding. Our purpose is to enable people to have
this kind of experience without paying a fortune.
Travel to Teach volunteering is conceived as something between traveling
and volunteer work, leaving a lot of time for activities and travel
while the volunteer comes in contact with and contributes to society by
working.
Why are you so much cheaper than all the others?
The mission of Travel to Teach is to provide valuable work opportunities
and chances to come into contact with the host nation's true culture,
all at a cost that can be afforded by most people.
We are a Thai agency and thus do not have western "overhead costs". All
the money goes to the Northeastern part of Thailand.
We are cheaper than most agencies, but in any way that we can think of,
we believe that we have very good arrangements in place and offer a very
personal approach.
Why don't you include food in your fees?
Three main reasons:
1. The price of food in Thailand depends on what you
choose to eat. If you eat Thai food, you can get by on 100 baht ( two
Euro) a day. If you want Western food, you would have to pay about 300
baht per day.
Therefore, costs are very difficult to calculate. We have found that our
participants have very different preferences regarding their food, so we
leave it up to them to make their own decisions.
2. Eating is one way of experiencing local culture. If
we arranged anything to limit that exposure it would be
counterproductive to our goals.
3. The cost of food is so low that it would make very
little difference in the fees, so no money gained for the projects or
the volunteer.
Read more about what we do with your fees, and compare T2T to other
volunteer organisations: T2T costs
page
Living with Travel to Teach
The standard of our houses are specified on individual location pages
and more detailed information is given in the Placement information once
you are accepted on a specific program.
Can I get a room for myself?
If you want to live under any other conditions than the ones we provide
as standard, it can always be arranged and we can agree on the costs.
Laundry
There are many different ways in which to do your laundry, at different
levels of service. If you don't want to do it yourself you can expect an
expense of around 300 baht/month.
Hygiene standards.
Some things in this country can seem strange or questionable to a
Westerner at first glance. Since water has not always been, and still
often is not, a readily available commodity, many customs and
arrangements are different from those which one is probably accustomed
to. Nothing dramatic, just a bit different.
FAQ on Teaching
Classroom situations
Unless you are an experienced teacher our ambition is not leave you
alone with a class. You will, principally, assist the ordinary teacher.
However we can not always control the situation. Thai teachers might
feel embarrassed by their lack of English knowledge, they might have
other classes to attend to etc. We therefore prepare you by giving some
introduction to the Thai teaching situation, by helping with teaching
materials and ideas.
Thai children are usually fairly well-behaved in the classroom and there
are relatively small disciplinary problems. Thai society is very
hierarchical and teachers command great respect in and out of the
classroom.
In most of our teaching situations you are required to supply the proper
pronunciation and stimulate the students to speak.
Often, playing games, singing, and other creative means are the most
effective tools. Thai people love having fun and students are no
exception!
Knowledge
You do not have to be a professional teacher, or have any expert
knowledge of either English or IT or computers. However, a strong
working knowledge of English is necessary as well as an interest in
children and youth. You will find that anything you know or can do is
useful and will be appreciated.
Please also see our English teaching links page for a list of recommended English Teaching resources.
Semesters, times, curriculums
You will probably teach between three and four hours a day and, in many
places, you can extend that if you wish. Most Thai schools start at half
past eight with a flag raising ceremony and finish for the day at around
three o'clock.
Parts of February, all of March, April, and
parts of May are summer vacation months in Thailand. Schools close in
mid-February and open again in the middle of May. Then October
is again a vacation month.
During parts of March, April, and October, we both create and join
several "summer camps" that teach English.
Maturity and previous experience
We do not require you to have any previous experience in teaching
situations nor any cross-cultural experience. In fact, the welcoming,
tolerant and positive nature of Thai people makes this an ideal place to
have one's first experience of this kind.
We do expect you to show an interest in and respect for Thai culture. To
try to adjust to the local customs. Thai people are very tolerant of
Westerners, but also very appreciative of any effort made to adjust to
their customs and habits.
Contemporary Thai culture is influenced by the West, but often only on
the surface.
During your stay here you will plunge headlong into this culture and
will gain insights into life in Thailand. In addition, you will begin to
understand things about yourself and about Western culture.
Materials to bring You may want to bring some photos
and other materials from your personal life and from your town or
country. You will find that people here will be very curious about these
sorts of things and they can be useful in teaching situations as well.
Frequently asked questions on traveling and packing
How to get here
Trains
There are trains to Nongkhai from Hualampong train station in central
Bangkok. They stop at the airport about half an hour after departure
time and one can easily walk from the airport to the trains.
Two trains depart Bangkok every evening, one at around seven o'clock,
one about half past eight. One train also departs in the morning.
We generally recommend the night trains, since most flights arrive in
time to take the night train and because there is not much of interest
to see between Bangkok and Nongkhai.
Also, the night trains are quite nice and safe and most people manage to
sleep quite well on them. The cost is between 400 and 600 bath.
A link to schedules
and booking for Thai trains. The train to Nongkhai is the Northeastern
line.
Buses
There are several buses from different companies driving daily from
Bangkok to Nongkhai. Most busses leave in the evening and arrive in
Nongkhai early in the morning. They leave from the Northern bus
terminal. We generally do not recommend going by bus since they can be
quite uncomfortable.
If you want to go by bus we would recommend the bus that leaves from
KaoSan Road at about 19:00, because it goes directly to Nongkhai (and on
to Vientiane in Laos) and it's relatively easy to find! It costs 400
baht. Any travel agency on KaoSan Road sells tickets.
Flights
Thai Air flies daily at 6:15, 12:50 and 18:15 from Bangkok to Udon
Thani. The flights take 45 minutes and there are vans directly from the
airport to your choice of destination in Nongkhai. Many cheap flights
have opened lines to Udon Thani in the last year. You can book Thai air flights online at Thai Air's web site.
What to bring
Clothes, shoes
You must dress properly and according to Thai standards. This means that
women should keep their shoulders covered in classroom situations and
not wear shorts (if your shorts cover your knees, this is acceptable).
You should be proper and clean.
General:
Don't bring too much. There is plenty of nice, cheap clothing to buy
here and you will want empty space in your bags for the many things that
you are likely to purchase here! During the rainy season (from May until
September) you might want to bring a raincoat. During the cold season
(November until March) you might want to bring some more heavy clothes.
Don't bring any heavy clothing, as you will only be wearing the lightest
things you have.
Medicine
If you rely on any medication, you should, of course, bring it. Also, it
is advisable to see your doctor and request a prescription for
antibiotics in case you get ill during your stay. Thai doctors and
hospitals are generally fairly good, but it is convenient to have your
own medication.
Bed linen, towels etc.
We will provide you with sheets and covers. Please bring your personal
towels. You only need a pair. If you want to go trekking on your own you
should bring your own sleeping bag. You don't need to buy a mosquito
net. They are better and cheaper here.
Mobile phones, computers etc.
If you have a phone that works with sim-cards, we like you to bring it.
We use mobile phones to keep in touch. Some of our villages are not
connected to the telephone network, but mobile phones work almost
everywhere in Thailand If you have a digital camera you might want to
bring it. We have computers where you can download and burn CD's.
Frequently asked questions on Thai Culture
Dress
Thailand is more conservative than most Western countries. This is quite
evident in the manner in which Thai people dress. No matter how hot it
is outside, one will rarely see a Thai person's shoulders or knees
exposed.. Also, excessively tight clothing is not normal. For women, a
bra is always necessary (most Thai women even wear them to sleep). Not
wearing a bra is not acceptable, especially in a teaching situation. The
rules for men tend to be a bit more relaxed.
It is also important not to overdress on a regular basis, since some
Thais find this to be offensive as well. Silk shirts are traditionally
reserved for formal occasions, while cotton shirts are more appropriate
for daily wear. Shorts are not appropriate attire for teaching.
Don't worry, once you are inside your home the rules change. Anything is
acceptable short of walking around naked outside on the porch. Outside
of class there is no need to dress formally unless it is a special
occasion.
Drugs
Drugs are completely unacceptable in Thai culture. Furthermore, the
present government's crack-down on drugs makes any association with
drugs extremely dangerous. Thais draw a clear line between what is good
and what is bad, with no possibility of something that is both. Drugs
clearly fall on the bad side. There is no period in a Thai person's life
when experimentation with drugs is considered acceptable. Moreover,
people who do drugs are not the kind of people you want to associate
yourself with while representing a teaching organisation.
Alcohol is a different matter entirely. It is generally considered to be
acceptable for people to drink at any time during the day, as long as it
isn't excessive. Cultural drinking rules are similar to those of most
western countries. Women who smoke are quite rare in Thailand, but it is
generally acceptable for Western women.
Family
In a Thai family, the men tend to be most dominant, but the women
actually have most of the control. Sons are usually rather spoiled,
while daughters are expected to fulfill the responsibilities that will
fall to them when they become someone's wife. The consequences of these
familial situations are often evident in the classroom as the boys are
usually more relaxed about their studies, and the girls take a more
active interest in what they learn.
Children are taken care of very well by their parents, but are expected
to return the favor later in life. Most Thais don’t save for retirement
and instead spend their money on their children. As a result, some Thai
teenagers can act like spoiled children at times, but are still
generally wonderful.
Farang (Westerners)
In any Thai village you will constantly hear this term cried out to you.
Farang occupy a place in Thai culture that does not have an equivalent
in most Western societies. Most Westerners have a difficult time
understanding that the term does not have a negative connotation. Farang
can be a good or a bad thing, but mostly it is just what people will say
to get your attention, not dissimilar to "hey you!" Farang are thought
to be affluent and educated and obviously just look different.
Therefore, it is no wonder that they draw a lot of attention. Be patient
with the term, and remember it is a fixture of a culture that you are
not likely to change during your stay here.
Feet
Thais view the body as the house of the soul. At the top, the head
occupies a holy place, and at the bottom, the feet are somehow profane.
You should avoid pointing your feet at anybody, as it is considered to
be rude. The safest way to do this is to sit with them behind the rest
of your body. Also, you should never touch a Thai person on the head,
even if they are children.
Food
Thailand offers one of the world's great cuisines, but it is almost like
a secret club. Since most menus (if there are any menus) are written in
Thai, many foreigners find themselves eating a steady diet of "Pad Thai"
and fried rice. Ask a Thai person to order for you, and you will quickly
find out that Thai cuisine is actually quite diverse. With a little bit
of courage, it is extremely worthwhile to go to the market and, as
everything is in plain view, all you have to do is point. Virtually
without fail, you will be presented with a delicious meal within a few
minutes.
Be wary of rice. Most Westerners are not used to rice being such an
integral part of their diet and many get constipated as a result. Also
be wary of too much fruit, as it can cause the opposite affliction.
Also, keep in mind that if you order something and it comes out
incorrectly, you are still obliged to pay for the food.
Hygiene
Most Thais shower twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. A
minimum of one shower a day is necessary if you wish for Thai people to
treat you with any degree of respect. Appearance is very important and
wearing the same thing two days in a row is something that Thai people
do not do. As long as you look presentable and smell reasonably clean,
you should have no problems. A certain amount of leniency is allotted to
Westerners because they sweat so much in comparison, but there is no
need to abuse this.
Privacy
The concept of privacy is a foreign one for Thai people. Family
situations are such that Thai people are never alone and that there is
always someone to talk to. Most Thai people never even sleep alone. As a
result, you may sometimes run into situations when someone will come to
sit with you in the hopes that they are keeping you from being lonely.
This can be frustrating for Westerners, who often consider “alone time”
to be an important part of their day. If you run into this situation
just assure your would-be savior that you enjoy being alone, and that
they don’t have to stay with you. Most Thais will accept this
explanation even if they find it to be unbelievably strange.
Especially living in a rural area you will find that you are expected to
be part of the community. This includes having conversations with
neighbors who wander onto your porch occasionally, even without
invitation. Please be patient, community is an important aspect of Thai
society. If you ostracize yourself, you will make it much more difficult
for those who will come after you. If you really need to be alone, just
go inside. No Thai person would be so bold as to come into a house
uninvited.
Religion
Religion is very much part of daily life in Thailand. Every morning
monks beg for alms, and most people pass by at least one temple on their
way to work. Buddhism is an integral part of Thai life and it is
important that you try to respect it while you are here.
Here are some basic rules. Women don’t touch monks. Men don’t touch
nuns. Be respectful of monks even if they want to joke around a bit.
Don’t take pictures of Buddha images in temples or of monks without
first asking permission. It is always a good idea to ask before entering
an empty temple. Don’t approach the Buddha images in temples. Just sit
back and admire them. You will probably be invited to attend at least
one religious ceremony. It is best to be present for the entire time and
be as inconspicuous as possible.
Thais also have great respect and tolerance for other religions. If you
are an adherent of another religion and don’t feel comfortable
participating in Buddhist rituals, it is perfectly acceptable to say so.
Thais also don’t mind if you have basic questions about Buddhism, but it
is a good idea to stay away from controversial issues. Most Thais just
feel that things are the way they are and that there is no reason to
change them if they work. This is likely the answer you will get if you
try to challenge their religious beliefs.
Royalty
DO NOT DISRESPECT THE THAI KING. It is a sure way to damage your
reputation beyond repair in this country. It is universally accepted
that the King is truly a great ruler, who has voluntarily given up most
of his power because the Thai people wanted a democracy. In fact, he has
worked throughout the Kingdom of Thailand on countless public service
projects in order to improve the lives of his countrymen. He is deeply
respected by the Thai population, and there is NEVER an appropriate time
to be critical of the monarchy.
Time
A classic example of "Thai time" arose from a question a new volunteer
asked me upon her arrival in Nam Som. She was curious to know when the
Internet shop closed, and without thinking I said, “It’s open until it
closes. " Especially in villages many things, like weather or unexpected
guests, change what time things happen. If you arrange a meeting with a
Thai person not used to dealing with Westerners you may want to specify
the time more then once, or you can expect that person to be a half an
hour late. Things happen slowly here, why rush? This can be especially
challenging for people who are used to relying on watches and clocks to
determine their daily routine. Things happen when they happen, and Thais
will have a difficult time understanding why someone would get
frustrated about this.
Teachers
Teachers are greatly respected in Thailand. Your students will approach
you with formality. Even if you tell a student that a more casual
relationship would be alright, they will have a difficult time
adjusting. You will find that teaching is self-motivated, and generally
any way you choose to do your job is accepted. Some teachers abuse this
by doing nothing at all, but they are the exception. Whether or not you
are a good teacher, people will be excited that you are here trying to
help them.