Buddhist Immersion Program in Thailand

  Thailand

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Monthly start dates

Description: The Global Service Corps Buddhist Immersion Program allows volunteers to experience temple life and its rich cultural traditions embedded in Thai society. Participants observe the daily routine of the temple and its laity, while joining in on meditations, chantings, or ritual celebrations.

Teach English in a Temple School

Volunteers in the Buddhist Immersion Program have the unique cultural opportunity to fully involve themselves with temple life, while serving the local community. Buddhist temples in Thailand have traditionally served as places of worship and education in Thai society. Therefore, opportunities exist for participants to teach basic and conversational English to young novice monks or basic English at a primary school adjacent to the temple. The young novices who study at the temple GSC works with often come from low-income families and go to the temple school on a daily basis to study standard subjects like Thai, math, sciences, and English. Thailand volunteers provide a great service by making their daily English classes enjoyable and effective. In addition to giving back to your local hosts, Thailand volunteers in the Buddhist Immersion program also have the opportunity to spend their days outside of teaching at the temple, where they will be able to converse with monks and gain valuable insight into Buddhist culture. Participants in this program have the option of living with a local Thai host family near the temple or at accommodation on the temple grounds.

Learn Meditation Technique in a Thai Wat

For longer term Buddhist Immersion volunteers, GSC partners with a large temple that houses close to 300 monks and novices. Placement at this temple gives volunteers a once in a lifetime chance to fully involve themselves in the day to day rituals of a Buddhist temple. Thailand volunteers wake up with the temple at approximately 4:30 am and have the opportunity to observe or participate in the morning chantings and meditation. During the day, volunteers will be led in 2 to 3 meditation sessions by a bilingual monk before the evening meditation and chantings with the entire temple. Accommodations at the temple are very basic with participants sleeping on thin mats and blankets with a mosquito net. Additionally, in the tradition of Buddhist temples, only two meals are served throughout the day.

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!

Cost in US$: Programs starting at $2,705

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

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

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 1992