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I will probably consider my time in Thailand to be one of the best in my life, even in the distant future. I can only recommend anyone who is thinking of doing voluntary service – especially in Thailand – but is still unsure, to pluck up the courage and sign up for one. The first time out of Europe, a very scary but also inspiring feeling. My five months on the other side of the world began with a bit of a shock at Bangkok International Airport when it was time to find my pre-arranged driver. But with a little help I was able to find her and off I went towards the interior of the country, or rather towards the east of Thailand to a beautiful city. This was to be my home for the next five months. It is beautifully situated in the middle of rice fields, right next to a small river. When I arrived, I was greeted by the contact person and her housewives, as well as their dogs. They are all very friendly and courteous. My contact person in particular is a kind-hearted woman who does an excellent job of organizing everything on site and making sure that everyone is well looked after. Every day she made sure that I had a decent meal, sometimes too much, and that I didn’t get bored. For example, she introduced me to the librarian at the city library. I spent a few days there taking embroidery classes with lots of very friendly ladies.
Admittedly, the first few days were not that easy. For someone who had no teaching experience, it was quite difficult at first to teach people without speaking a common language. The children came to learn every day and I have to admit that it didn’t take too long for us to understand each other very well. Unlike the Thai school system, at least in my experience, I tried to teach learning content in a playful way, which definitely contributed to the fact that both the children and I had fun learning together despite the language barrier. Especially as most of them were not yet 12 years old.
As I came to Thailand during the vacations, it was a month before I went to a school for the first time. I still remember my first days at school very well, because at the beginning the teachers didn’t think much of an 18-year-old volunteer. This was due to the fact that at 18 you are not really considered an adult yet. But after a while, they seemed to have forgotten their prejudices and I was no longer seen as a child, but in some ways as an equal.
Around Christmas there was a lot to do, as some schools had organized an English camp in cooperation with our contact person. As exhausting as these English camps were, with our program, but also some misunderstandings, they were still very nice and very good for making new friends.
My visa, which had already been extended, expired in January and I decided to go border hopping at the Cambodian border. Which turned out to be anything but easy due to the faulty planning of my theoretical companion. A little tip: take all kinds of papers with you, as well as a small bag with everything you need and try to apply for a long-term visa in advance.
January was a very pleasant month, as I made the acquaintance of a very nice teacher at my new school, who took me under her wing straight away and often invited me to go on excursions and the like with her family. This school was also much bigger than the previous ones I had taught at, apart from the English camps. The school, like any other, had a kindergarten. I have to admit that the little rascals grew on me very quickly. But it wasn’t just the kindergarten children, I quickly grew fond of them all.
On Children’s Day, my current school organized a small party with games, food, but also a huge gift lottery. Everyone won something, some won a cuddly toy, others a bike. Even I was given some sweets and pencils. Of course, the sweets were immediately unwrapped and shared by everyone. In the following weeks, I taught at other schools and spent time with my friends.
As the last week began, it was time to say goodbye to everyone. Everyone was kind to help me spend another day at each of the schools to say goodbye. Together with a friend, I had spent the previous week getting sweets from all the stores and dividing them up between the schools. Saying goodbye was probably the hardest part of this whole time. Overall, I was very lucky with the weather, the food and of course the people.
All in all, I experienced Thailand as a very contrasting and open country, with an impressive culture and warm-hearted people. Last but not least, I can recommend Thailand, especially my accommodation and contact person, with a clear conscience, whether for a shorter stay or as a volunteer.
