Teaching Monks

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.

Description: After morning alms rounds, the day begins with morning assembly at the monastery schools. All the novices, line up and the faculty and staff give morning announcements, followed by prayers and meditation. Classes begin at 8:30. Fresh, Thai curries and stir fried dishes, served over steamed jasmine rice are served for lunch. Volunteers are encouraged to share their lunch time chatting with novices and other staff. After lunch, more prayers and meditation is practiced before classes resume in the afternoon. The school day ends at 4:00pm.

Our volunteers teach novice Buddhist monks, ranging in age from 12-18, at five different monastery schools. Objectives of the schools consist of "enhancing the knowledge of monks and novices in both religious and secular subjects" and "providing secondary education for boys who are unable to afford such opportunities elsewhere." All the students at four of the schools are novice monks and many, but not all, of the faculty and administration are Buddhist monks. One of the schools has both novice monk students and non-monk students (however the majority are monks) separated by classroom. Volunteers assist the Thai faculty with English (and optionally in art) education roughly 15-20 hours a week (Monday - Friday).

You will have the choice of either leading your own class or assisting a Thai teacher in his or her daily lessons. Your placement is completely dependent upon your level of comfort within the classroom. Depending upon your educational background, you may also want to teach art or help in other subject areas and activities that may be occurring at the school during you service. It is important to the school administration that volunteers aid in English education at the school, but also that volunteers receive a rich experience about Thailand, Thai culture and Buddhism during their service. For this reason, be prepared to learn as much as you teach. Also, know that Thai Buddhist monks aren't known for being in a hurry. Therefore, the atmosphere at the temple schools is rather relaxed.

During their service, volunteers are welcomed to join the students and teachers in practicing group meditation, Buddhist prayers and chants, along with other religious and cultural celebrations and activities that occur within the school and community. However, these activities are optional for the volunteer. The students and administration will not be hurt or upset if a volunteer doesn't want to take part in the religious activities. They're just happy you are there to help out.

Highlights: Chiang Mai is a pleasant city, encircled by mountains and lush rice fields. It is Thailand's second largest city with a population of roughly 700,000. The city is considered the cultural and physical capital of what used to be the northern Thai, or Lanna kingdom. Chiang Mai also boasts an international airport, restaurants of almost every cuisine, incredible shopping and world class hospitals.

During or after service, Friends For Asia recommends volunteers to take part in some of the many different local attractions and/or courses. Every Sunday Chiang Mai closes off one of the main roads in the old city to put on a walking street market. Vendors and artisans from the area set up their small booths to sell their handicrafts, art and mouthwatering finger foods.

Chiang Mai offers Thai cooking courses starting around $35 and Thai massage courses starting around $45, along with jungle treks and regular Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches are also available. Upon arrival into Chiang Mai, Friends For Asia will be more than happy to help you sign up for one of these exciting opportunities to learn more about this beautiful culture.

Qualifications: Volunteers do not need any specific qualifications, but should enjoy working with young adults and be open and respectful to Buddhism and other cultures. Volunteers should be proficient in written and spoken English, along with creative, considering there is an incredible lack of teaching materials within the school.

Friends For Asia requires all volunteers in this project (and all other projects where volunteers work with children directly) to submit a certified police background check before volunteer service begins.

Cost in US$: 695

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: An individual who loves to travel, wants to learn more about Thailand and assist Asia in it's development.

Age Range: 18 and up

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

Participants Travel to Thailand in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2 or 3

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Friends For Asia's Mission Statement: The mission of Friends For Asia is twofold. We offer an opportunity for people to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the improvement of standards of living by building capacity in our host agencies and we provide committed volunteers to work on projects developed with host agencies that benefit the people of Thailand.

Year Founded: 2008