Myanmar Long-Term Programs

  Myanmar

Mandalay,  Yangon

Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 years

Description: The Myanmar Long-Term program offers volunteers an interesting array of experiences, such as teacher-training for local teachers at a Monastic school serving underprivileged children or teaching critical thinking and service learning to college-bound high school students. Either way, you are sure to be greeted by warm smiles each time you enter the classroom or organization's office.

There is an enormous need for native English speakers to help train students, teachers, and community leaders. Our posts in Myanmar build local capacity through English education and resources (grant and proposal writing, publication, website development, etc.) as well as promoting cultural understanding and cooperation through cultural exchange. Meanwhile, our local partners provide community and an enriching cultural experience for our volunteers.

VIA's newest programs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand offer volunteers an exciting opportunity to get involved in program and post development and collaboratively define their roles as VIA volunteers. Prospective volunteers must be ready for the challenge of developing the relationship with our local partners with the support of a full-time Program Director based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The broad range of posts, including English teaching, English resource work, and unique hybrid combinations, spans four countries and many areas, including a Monastic school, environmental protection, migrant populations, and more!

VIA presently is working diligently to expand our volunteer posts and opportunities in this region, and several new posts will be added for 2009. Posts will focus on community development, preventing human-trafficking, migrant and ethnic minority issues, environment and conservation, women's empowerment, health and disability issues, and improving educational systems/opportunities.

English Teaching (ET) Positions: ET volunteers in Myanmar may have opportunities to teach adult and high-school age students. ET volunteers may teach English conversation, reading, writing, TOEFL-test preparation, business communication or literature, among other subjects. Some ET positions involve opportunities for volunteers to design and develop their curriculum.

English Resource (ER) Positions: ER volunteers work with non-government organizations to build staff capacity. Duties may include writing and editing grant proposals and reports, networking with other NGOs and funding organizations, public relations, and helping staff improve their English language skills. These positions may also include some English teaching or tutoring. ER posts are generally full-time and may require special qualifications or background (contact the program director for details).

Combination ER/ET Positions: some volunteers with work with non-government organizations in a primarily English teaching capacity with the opportunity to provide English resource support on special projects or programs according to their interest and skill sets. Volunteers at hybrid ER/ET posts may be responsible for training the trainers, working closely with the organization's staff.

Highlights: Orientation and In-Country Support: The Myanmar Program has excellent support through a full-time Program Director based in nearby Chiang Mai, Thailand. VIA provides cross-cultural and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or NGO-specific training to all long-term VIA volunteers in Chiang Mai, allowing Laos volunteers to experience another county and establish a network of like-minded counterparts posted throughout Asia. VIA's general training is then followed by intensive Burmese language training.

In the fall, the Program Director visits each post to see how volunteers have settled in. After this visit, volunteers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand gather together for the regional conference. The annual conference provides an opportunity for the volunteers to see another part of the region and the opportunity to reflect on their in-country experiences. All of our participants play an important role in setting program plans and priorities for the next year. VIA Volunteers are considered important stakeholders and have a crucial voice in the direction of the program. Volunteers have the opportunity to spearhead development of new posts and to get involved in a vibrant alumni network upon return to the US.

All volunteers receive ongoing language instruction through the partner institution.

Qualifications: VIA long-term program participants come from all age groups and many different walks of life. Interest in Asia and/or development, cultural immersion, and a willingness to adopt a simple lifestyle bring together a diverse group of volunteers. VIA generally does not require any specific educational background (other than a Bachelor's degree), prior language training, teaching or overseas experience. A small number of VIA posts are exceptions--contact the program director for specific details on specific posts. However, to become a VIA long-term volunteer, you only need to meet the following requirements:

* Participants must speak English with native fluency.
* Long-term volunteers must have a B.A. or B.S. degree at time of departure. (Exceptions can occasionally be made--contact the office.)
* All participants must attend and take part in all aspects of training.

Minimum Education: Bachelors

Cost in US$: 2000

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 22-62

This Program is open to American Participants.

Participants Travel to Myanmar Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Scholarships are Available. - Partial scholarships are available for those who demonstrate need.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

VIA (Volunteers in Asia)'s Mission Statement: VIA-Volunteers In Asia is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization dedicated to increasing understanding between the United States and Asia through cross-cultural exchange and service programs. Since 1963, our Asia Programs have provided US residents with the opportunity to work and live within an Asian culture while meeting the needs of Asian host institutions. Our Stanford Programs offer a wide range of short-term, international study programs between Stanford University and various Asian universities. The goal of all of our programs is to enhance cross-cultural understanding through the exchange of people. Our deep commitment to service and education drives our work and motivates students, volunteers and staff. We envision a world where people on both sides of the Pacific are appropriately equipped to build durable solutions to global problems through mutual understanding and cooperation. VIA programs have given thousands of Americans and Asians the tools and cultural literacy to help achieve this vision.

Year Founded: 1963