Germany operates the world’s biggest outbound tourist trade – an impressive statistic considering the fact that 13 countries on the planet host bigger populations. In short, Germans understand the value of international travel.
At Friends for Asia, we have also been impressed with the sense of conviction German travelers feel when it comes to giving back to the places they visit. Here in the north of Thailand, one out of four of our volunteers comes from Germany. That’s a substantial chunk of our volunteer base, which is why we’re anxious to design and implement volunteer programs that are accessible and meaningful to volunteers from Germany.
If you’re thinking about taking some time to volunteer abroad, be sure to explore opportunities in Thailand. This is a country as suitable for independent travelers as it is for package tourists, with plenty of exciting opportunities for adventurers from Germany. Northern Thailand, with its jungle canopied mountains, tropical rivers and diverse mix of ethnic minorities is particularly well-suited for anyone intent on getting off the well-worn tourist path and making a difference in the process.
Opportunities for German Volunteers
Friends for Asia offers an exciting mix of opportunities for German volunteers in Thailand. You can step onto the front lines of the battle against HIV in our HIV Orphanage Project, or invest your time and energy into helping marginalized single mothers secure opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach in our Single Mother’s Home Project. Add an elephant conservation project and unique internship opportunities to the mix, including the chance for medical students to shadow doctors in private Chiang Mai hospitals in our Medical Intern Project, and it’s easy to see why so many volunteers from Germany are signing up through FFA.
An Ideal Fit for German Volunteers in Thailand
It’s no wonder that Friends for Asia is so appealing to volunteers from Germany. Not only does the organization provide compelling ways for visitors to get involved in international projects, it also offers one of the most German-friendly living situations in Thailand’s volunteer sector.
Most of the volunteer organizations in Thailand employ bilingual Thai coordinators that speak English as a second language. But the staff at Friends for Asia are a much more diverse lot. Paji is one of the main FFA coordinators interacting with volunteers. She is half-German and half-Thai, with strong a German-language abilities. The fact that she has one foot in Thailand and the other in Germany makes her uniquely qualified to help FFA’s German volunteers transition comfortably into their projects.
Summer Volunteering
Consider volunteering during the summer months. This is a good time to take some time off as well as give time to those in need. We offer flexible volunteering from 2 weeks to 2 months or more.
Mix and match a few different volunteer projects or dedicate your time to one project. Our professional staff are there to help and support you throughout the volunteer experience.
Volunteer Stories
Alex Jacobson, California, USA - Teaching Monks and Caregiving at Single Mother's Home, March, 2009“The Land of Smiles” is the perfect phrase coined for Thailand. Love radiates from this country through the smiles and warm greetings from the local people. Whether it was during my trip in Pai, the Friends for Asia home, or at either of my volunteer projects, I feel that I made many unexpected friendships!
James Kneafsey, Dublin, Ireland - Elephant Camp March, 2009
"It was a joy working at the Elephant Camp: waking up to elephants passing by my balcony in the morning, swimming with the elephants, eating like a king, pitching in with the work, building relationships with the staff and having a well earned beer at the roadside bar in the evening."
Anke Anemaet – Lelystad, The Netherlands – Teaching Monks July, 2010
“ENJOY YOUR STAY HERE! You will be sad to leave, as I am now. It’s hard to explain to the boys that you won’t be coming back next week and you have to go home. They have all been such lovely students. Each one of them has their own personality and you’ll love them all. Take pictures so that you can remember them forever. They have become so important to me, which is unexplainable. I will truly miss them a lot. ”
Read more Volunteer Stories
Twitter Updates
- "Did you ever think Thai food could taste like this?" In Chiang Mai, a Chef Traces His Menus http://t.co/oI2Hrcqt 2011-11-05
- Bangkok International Airport (BKK) operating normally http://t.co/FXVAqqhb 2011-10-31
- @jeffmcneill Thanks for the mention! 2011-07-20
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