2010 Volunteer Southeast Asia

Introduction

 

 

Cultural Embrace’s “Discover Southeast Asia” program consists of an exciting way for you to customize your own way to explore beautiful Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, or Sri Lanka. A minimum of two weeks includes a week orientation to help you familiarize yourself with the culture, lifestyle, language, people, food, attitude, habits, and environment. Then choose to volunteer by teaching or tutoring English, assisting in an orphanage, building/construction projects, social welfare, and animal or land conservation; or decide to travel throughout the region to visit main attractions; or opt to enjoy a week on the beautiful beaches. All options are available for at least one week, so you can mix and match the different options so it will match your preferences and skills.

 

Volunteer Projects & Locations Available

 

 

 

Volunteer Orientation
The orientation week and training are the first step for a successful stay in Southeast Asia. Therefore the first week is dedicated to familiarizing yourself with the country and meeting the other participants. You will also engage in the following activities: learning about the culture, team-building activities, language and cooking lessons and visiting local tourist places. You will also have time to meet the local people, taste the food and learn about the countries customs. During this period, everyone will also be informed in detail about the program chosen and the different projects.
 
Volunteer Projects and Cultural Excursions

Thailand Program
If you are interested in volunteering during your time in Thailand, Cultural Embrace can organize week-long projects for you to teach/tutor English, work on environmental/eco projects in the forest and hillside, provide assistance at local orphanages, or volunteer at hilltribe villages. During your Cultural Excursion time you may find that you want to experienceThailand’s rich in history and culture by exploring Buddhism, Muy Thai boxing, or eco-tours. Or opt to go on a trek through the hilltribe villages or jungle, which will give you a first-hand look at how many Thai minorities live and how pristine and beautiful these areas are.

 
Cambodia Program
If you are interested in volunteering during your time in Cambodia, Cultural Embrace can organize week-long projects for you to teach/tutor English local students. This program consists of helping students, aged between 7-18 years old, at various schools. Accommodation is generally in home stays with carefully screened and selected local families or in a local hostel. Central Cambodia Tour Cambodia is a country of considerable contradictions. After going through a troublesome and violent past with extreme poverty, Cambodia still retains it undeniable charm and glory. During this week-long tour, we will visit the archeological and world famous sites of Angkor Wat,. We will also visit the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, and a visit to the National museum. And let’s not forget another highlight—tasting local Cambodian cuisine throughout the region! Accommodation in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh will be in basic local guesthouses located close to the city centre. This week-long adventure is available every third week of the month. Beach Our Beach week takes place in Sihanoukville, Cambodia's premier beach town. This is also the time for everyone to relax in the company of the other volunteers and a great way to reflect on your experience abroad.
 
Vietnam Program
Our Volunteer Vietnam Program is a fantastic opportunity to be a responsible traveler and make a positive contribution during your stay. You will be placed in a local school, where you will have the possibility to give a positive input into the life of the Vietnamese children. Volunteers are invited to teach English in a creative way. During this week, you will have the chance to learn more about the cultural diversity in Vietnam. You will also visit a typical Vietnamese village and spend time inter-acting with the locals. This will be a unique experience that you will remember for the rest of your lifetime. Cultural Excursions: You will explore the most of the remote Vietnam! Visit the Sapa region and experience a homestay in a remote village and camp in the forest. You will also do an Environmental Trek through the jungle, with the chance to swim in a waterfall. Vietnam also has amazingly beautiful beaches and it is also home to one of the Worlds Heritage - Ha Long Bay! You will enjoy a day out on the boat, seeing the wonders of Ha Long Bay, swimming and relaxing. During the daytime everyone can do as they would like to: relaxing, reading, swimming or anything else you wish. This is also the time to be together with the other Active in Asia participants and to make an evaluation of the previous weeks. The itinerary will change accordingly to the season; in case of cold weather (October-March), the visit to Ha Long Bay will be shortened, and we will visit instead the Thanh Thuy Hot Mineral Water Mine, located in La Phu and Bao Yen communes, Thanh Thuy district. Hot mineral water contains sodium, calcium, etc, especially radon - a rare and precious kind of radon for the first time discovered in Vietnam, which is very good for health!
 
Indonesia Program
Cultural Embrace offers you the choice of teaching at schools, re-habilitation & follow up projects for earthquake victims, assisting in renovation & construction of small scale infrastructure at local communities, a cultural week exploring the beauty of Yogyakarta, Borobudur and Prambanan, or exploring the beach at Karimunjawa. If you have a specialty or special skill you wish to share with the local community, please let us know so that an individual volunteer placement can be arranged. Before you begin volunteering, you will enjoy an introduction week, which is the first step towards a successful stay in Indonesia. During this time you will take basic Indonesian lessons, learn social "do's & don'ts", practice team building activities, and explore local sightseeing, such as a traditional market, Ungaran Mountain and the ancient group temple of Gedong Songo (Nine Hindu Temples).
 
Nepal Program
The Volunteer in Nepal program is the best way for you to experience the most of what the spiritual and enchanted land of Nepal has to offer. The first week is dedicated to getting to know Nepal: you will learn about the Nepali culture, religion, music and basic Nepali language in the Institute for Language and Culture Studies, Katmandu. You will meet local people, taste the food and learn about the Nepalese customs. Following this you may choose to participate in volunteer projects including teaching at local schools and orphanages. You also have the option of enjoying a week of intensive meditation and yoga or 2 weeks of culture and trekking. During these two weeks you will enjoy trekking around the the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), touring the Pokhara valley and do a Jungle Safari in the Royal Chitwan National Park. Your time in Nepal will be a great contribution to the community and even short periods of time and effort can make a very positive impact.
 
Sri Lanka Program
Begin your adventure with an introduction week in the city of Kandy. Volunteers will have the opportunity to experience the following activities: practice the local language (Singhalese), community project work, customs & habits, yoga sessions, cooking and local sightseeing. Following this you will enjoy projects located in the Hill Country working with children and youth.  These vary upon the need of the community at the time. You will wear many hats! Finally you have the option of 2 weeks of Cultural Activities and Trekking or a week at the beach. If you choose to trek, an experienced guide will lead you in the mountains of Nuwara Eliya, with visits to the reserve forests of the Hill Country (the Central Province of Sri Lanka), where a wide variety of wildlife species can be observed. The Itinerary will be adapted to the season. In the second week, we will learn about the Buddhism and philosophy at a temple. Participants will have a chance to live at the temple and have daily sessions about Buddhism, meditation and culture in Sri Lanka.

 

 

 

 

Program Highlights and Benefits

 

  Volunteering in Southeast Asia Offers:

  • An unforgettable experience helping and improving Indian communities 
  • An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
  • An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: language, crafts, dancing)
  • Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about 
  • The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
  • A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences 
  • A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills   

  Cultural Embrace Offers:

  • Guaranteed Volunteer Placement Prior to Departure
    Cultural Embrace     pre-arranges your volunteer project before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition to your new life abroad.   
  • Housing & Board
    Basic accomodations and most meals
  • Visa Assistance
    Cultural Embrace     will assist you with information to obtain a visa (if necessary), but we have no control nor the ability to guarantee government issuance and/or visa availability.
  • Arrival Assistance, Hotel Stay & Transfer
    An airport pick-up from airport, and transfer to orientation and your local volunteer site will be arranged.
  • Arrival Orientation
    Training about the local culture, community, project duties, and lifestyle will be provided by your local representatives. Housing and board with carefully selected host families or volunteer facilities will be provided during orientation. 
  • Excursions & Activities  
    Visit local attractions and participate in various cultural activities based on your volunteer location and duration. 
    Volunteer Materials
    Materials for various activities during the volunteer work like colored pencils, pens, markers, sports equipment, paper, games, etc are provided.
  • Dedicated Transportation
    Transportation to and from volunteer sites throughout the program  
  • Travel Insurance:  Basic Major Medical Coverage 
    Our policy provides basic medical coverage at your volunteer location. Cultural Embrace highly recommends additional travel insurance.
  • Cultural Embrace Kit
    Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad.
  • Full-time Representation
    Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and your host country prior to, during, and after your placement. 

Program Requirements

  • You must be at least 18 years of age.  Or, if younger than 18, you must have parental or guardian consent  
  • Minimum volunteer commitment is 2-4 weeks, dependent on project and location. Weekly and monthly extensions can be arranged with discounted rates for long-term stays
  • Enjoy working and serving others in an underprivileged and struggling environment.
  • Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
  • Dedication to the full term of commitment      

2010 Program Fees

 

Volunteer programs are offered for Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka all year round. Each program starts every 1st Monday of the month. A minimum stay is 2 weeks, and the maximum stay is 6 months. Pricing varies based on project & destination. Program fees start as low US$1276 (2 weeks) and discounts are provided for long-term stays.

 

Country
Orientation & Volunteer (2 weeks)
Add a volunteer week
Add a Beach, Trek, or Cultural Week
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, or Sri Lanka
 
$1276
 
$263
 
$450

 

 

 

 

*Contact us for discounted rates for extended stays

** Prices subject to change with international currency fluctuations

**Age Groups divided as: Youth 18-29 years old; Adult 30+ years old

How to Apply

 

1. Obtain the Volunteer Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:

(a) Download the forms:  Volunteer Form (pdf).   Volunteer in Southeast Asia Program Details and FAQ (pdf). 

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089/(US toll-free) 1-888-214-8570 to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to:

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA

Completed packet should include:

  • Volunteer Program Application
  • Signed Volunteer Agreement
  • Copy of your passport (information page only)
  • Copies of transcripts, diplomas, or certificates related to field of interest (if applicable)
  • Resume/CV
  • Cover Letter explaining what you want to do and why you want to volunteer in India 
  • Two References: preferably professional and/or character references
  • Doctor’s Certificate verifying that you are in excellent mental and physical health
  • Copy of Police Clearance (obtainable from your community's local police station) 
  • Two 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
  • One smiling full-length photo of yourself
  • US$200 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee) 

We recommend submitting your application at least 12 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your volunteer placement.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089/(US toll-free) 1-888-214-8570.