Volunteer in Thailand with Friends for Asia

A Call to Service Student Group Volunteer Project

Volunteer and Intern in Thailand

A Call to Service is our core community service project, and it’s packed with cross-cultural opportunities and the chance to really make a difference for Northern Thai people in need. Take up the call to effect change and transform lives in Chiang Mai, developing leadership skills and connecting with Thai villagers along the way.

We’ll start you off with a primer in Thai language and culture before striking out to lend a hand at two or three of our community service sites. A city tour, Northern Thai dinner, cultural exhibition and visit to the eclectic Chiang Mai Night Bazaar are all on the agenda.

Intro to Thai Culture

Loy Krathong (low file) 5

From the moment you touch down at Chiang Mai Airport, you’ll be in good hands with Friends For Asia’s project coordinators. Your experience begins on Saturday, when we pick you up at the airport and set you up with your local accommodation. Take the rest of the day to settle in and rest, because you’re about to embark on one of the most challenging and rewarding weeks of your life.

Sunday is all about getting to know Thailand. We’ll walk through the basics of Thai etiquette and teach you a few useful phrases to use when you’re out on the worksite. We’ve been working with international students and volunteers in Chiang Mai for years and have perfected the art of introducing Thai culture and etiquette in a memorable, easy-to-understand format.

Getting to Know Chiang Mai

If you’re anything like us, you didn’t travel to Thailand for the class time. On Sunday afternoon, we’ll take you on a fast-paced and informative tour of Chiang Mai. In the process, we’ll introduce you to the most important attractions in town, including ancient Buddhist temples, the city’s medieval moat and crumbling defensive walls.

Pagoda at Temple School

The day winds down with a khan tok experience – a cultural dinner and show that includes northern Thai cuisine, a Thai dance exhibition and a few daredevil acrobatics involving swords and firebrands.

In one day, you’ll have seen and done more than most tourists accomplish in a week. But you’ll just be getting started.

Community Service

Your call to service begins on Monday. We’ll connect your group with two or three of our Chiang Mai projects sites, where the work you carry out will help meet real needs and achieve meaningful goals.

Children's Home Picture

The project sites you work with will depend on the time of year that you visit as well as current community needs. In most cases, you’ll be active on sites that involve work with children. Students may help organize and lead activities at a local orphanage, work on construction site at a home for at-risk mothers and children or lend a hand with homework at a home for children with HIV.

Working closely with Thai people on the outskirts of Chiang Mai is the kind of experience that stays with a student for a lifetime. Thai people are famous for their warmth, hospitality and fun-loving nature. One thing is certain: students have a lot of fun at FFA’s project sites.

A Call to Service Student Group Volunteer Project Fees

The project fee in A Call to Service Project is $850 US Dollars per student.

Project Fee Includes:
Visit and Work at 2-3 different community service sites
Cultural dinner and show
Half day Orientation (including Thai language and Culture sessions)
Half day city tour of Chiang Mai
ChiangMai Night Bazaar Visit
All transportation while in Chiang Mai
All meals
24 Hour Emergency Support

Project Fee Does Not Include:
Flights (transportation to/from home and Chiang Mai
Travel Insurance

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