Thailand International Health Program

  Thailand

• Bangkok: 
Bangkok

Length of Position: Minimum 6-week commitment
Dates: Throughout the year

Description: During the health care project, participants observe international health care. Opportunities are provided to experience just about every facet of operation in local hospitals. At the hospitals, licensed health professionals can impart their skills and knowledge to the Thai staff. Each of the facilities and staff are uniquely different. However, given the same geographic area, the caseloads are similar. Pulmonary disease, respiratory infections, hypertension, gastric disorders and diabetes are common problems- very similar to the USA. Births, broken bones, accidents, cuts, colds, flu, fever, infections, and aging are all part of hospital activities. Additionally, GSC participants are given wide access to hospital departments and are able to shadow doctors and nurses on their daily rounds. This includes access to emergency and operating rooms, where participants can observe Thai surgeons as they perform many different types of procedures and surgeries.

Each hospital has its own pharmacy and dispenses manufactured medicines as well as preparing and making medicine on doctors instructions. Each hospital is supplemented with a staff of dentists and massage therapists. In some cases, a holistic approach to medicine can be observed.

The recent World AIDS symposium statistics also shows that although there has been a reduction of AIDS cases in Thailand, the problem is far from solved. In response, GSC is now requiring a service component to all Health Care programs. Participants may choose to give their time and talents working at a Thai AIDS hospice, educating local students and teachers about HIV/AIDS, or providing basing English instruction to primary or secondary schools. Opportunities may vary, however, and we suggest contacting our Thailand Programs Coordinator directly to discuss program options.

Sample Six-Week Health Care Project Itinerary

Arrival Day: Arrival in Bangkok on Sunday. Participants are met at the Bangkok Airport by the GSC In-Country Coordinator (ICC) and transported to the hotel. Unpack, rest, and relax.

Day 1-2: On Monday, the ICC will meet you and escort you and your fellow participants on a day of touring. The tour day will consist of a visit to The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and various other tourist sites in Bangkok. On Tuesday, pack up and check out of your hotel room before going on a morning activity. Then depart Bangkok in the afternoon and travel with the ICC to the Orientation Center in Singburi where you will settle in for your first week.

Day 3-5: At the Orientation Center your cultural orientation will continue. The orientation includes Thai language lessons, an introduction to your project, a day trip to Wat San Phra Kan (Monkey Temple) in Lopburi and Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu AIDS Hospice, and an overnight Buddhist immersion at a local Wat. Here, you will be living with the monks, learning about Buddhism and how to meditate. Additionally, an introduction to teaching English as a foreign language and HIV/AIDS prevention and education is provided if applicable to the specific program.

Day 6: On Saturday, travel with the ICC to your respective project area where you will be introduced to your homestay hosts and have time to get acquainted with your new Thai family. For those who chose the non-homestay option, you will be taken to your new home in Thailand with free time to explore the area.

Day 7-41: Work at your project site (hospital, school, orphanage or Wat) on the weekdays, and on one weekend GSC will organize an overnight group excursion, which may include visits to local temples, tourist attractions, and/or parks. Health Care participants are required to spend at least two weeks of their projects working in a local school teaching either basic conversational English or HIV/AIDS education and prevention. The remaining weeks will be spent at local hospitals shadowing doctors and health care professionals.

Day 41: Leave host family and travel to Bangkok. A hotel room is provided for participants on the night prior to their departure home.

Day 42: Depart for home.

*Please note that this is a sample itinerary for Health Care participants. Schedules and activities are subject to change due to local conditions or participant preference.

Highlights: Orientation and Training

Thailand volunteers enjoy a 6-day orientation and training session to start their program. This includes pick-up at the Suvarmabumi Airport and two nights/three days accommodations in Bangkok with fellow volunteers and the in-country coordinator. During which, volunteers are taken on sightseeing trips to some of the famous sites in Bangkok that include the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the Jim Thompson House, and a river boat taxi ride to Wat Arun. Volunteers are also taken out for group meals to get accustomed to the deliciously spicy Thai cuisine! On the third day, participants are taken to the GSC center in Singburi for cultural and program specific orientation and training. This includes Thai language training, an introduction to the specific project, a day trip to Wat San Phra Kan (Monkey Temple) in Lopburi, Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu AIDS Hospice, and an overnight Buddhist immersion experience at a local Wat (Buddhist temple). GSC also provides basic training in teaching English as a foreign language for those who will be teaching English to either local students or novice monks during their program. For volunteer participants in the HIV/AIDS Education Program, training is conducted on the biology of the disease, contextual issues facing Thai youth in terms of this disease, and how to effectively lead lessons that integrates HIV/AIDS education and awareness with English language training.

Host Families

Participating in an international homestay is one of the best ways to learn about another language and culture. Every GSC program offers a homestay with a local Thai or Tanzanian host. GSC places volunteers with hosts that enjoy learning about other cultures and appreciate the unique opportunity that hosting an international volunteer gives to their family life. Thailand volunteers also have the option of staying at the volunteer center throughout the duration of their stay.

Qualifications: Global Service Corps looks for volunteers who exhibit energy, self-motivation, and enthusiasm. No special qualifications are needed--just an interest in education and a willingness to help others and challenge yourself!

Many of our participants are students and professionals in their fields looking for international experience. For example, in our education program, many of our volunteers are teaching professionals looking for international teaching experience. In our health program, many of the volunteers are doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacologists, health professionals and pre-meds.

Cost in US$: Starting at $3,853 for 6-week program

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers are looking for a cross cultural adventure where they live, learn, teach and work with the wonderful Thai people. You will live with a generous Thai family and work on a service-learning project.

Age Range: 18 years and older

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 2-15

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Year Founded: 1992