Volunteer Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia)

Introduction

 Cultural Embrace’s “Discover Southeast Asia” program consists of an exciting way for you to customize your own way to explore beautiful Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.  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 or elder home, social welfare, building/construction projects, 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 or learn and practice cultural and adventure skills (ie: trekking, bicycling, Buddhism/meditation, etc). All options are available for at least one week, so you may mix and match the different options to provide you variety to embrace this beautiful part of the world while matching your skills and preferences.


Click here for Program Details about volunteering in Southeast Asia, and read blogs of current and past participants.

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 is able to organize the following week-long projects: teach/tutor English and/or sports coach; orphanage assistance; Clay-house construction; elephant conservation; eco/forestry conservation; or hilltribe volunteer. You may opt to spend time on our weekly Cultural Excursion & Activities programs which includes: exploring Buddhism & meditation; Muy Thai boxing, hillside trekking; cycling tours; or Koh Samet beach adventure. These excursions and activities are designed for you to get a first-hand look at how many Thai minorities live and how pristine and beautiful these areas are.

Shared accommodations (2-4 people) are included with 3 meals/day (M-F) and 2 meals/day (weekends). Recommended weekend arrivals for airport pickup from Bangkok airport. All flight times acceptable with possibility of overnight in Bangkok (inclusive). Expect up to 3 hours to transfer to the orientation location in Singburi.
 
Indonesia Program
Our Volunteer Indonesia Program is a fantastic opportunity to be a responsible traveler and make a positive contribution during your stay in Bali. After your initial orientation week, you will teach/tutor English or be a sports coach or assist with arts/crafts at a local school in Bali. You will be placed in a local school, where you will have the possibility to give a positive input into the life of the Indonesian children.

Shared accommodation (2-3) is generally in home stays with carefully screened and selected local families or in a local hostel. 3 meals/day (M-F) and 2 meals/day (weekends) are included. Recommended weekend arrivals for airport pickup from Bali airport. All flight times acceptable. Weekday arrivals are not recommended but possible for an additional fee (~US$75). 

Cambodia Program
If you are interested in volunteering during your time in Cambodia, Cultural Embrace is able to organize week-long projects for you to teach/tutor English or be a sports coach to local students; orphange assistance; and/or community work at a local hospital. This program consists of helping students, aged between 7-18 years old, at various schools. Medical and healthcare work are available for volunteers that have some medical training and knowledge in Oddar Meanchey.
 
Shared accommodation (2-3) is generally in home stays with carefully screened and selected local families or in a local hostel. 3 meals/day (M-F) and 2 meals/day (weekends) are included. Recommended weekend arrivals for airport pickup from Siem Reap airport. All flight times acceptable but note an overnight stay in Siam Reap is arranged if arriving after 2pm. Weekday arrivals are not recommended but possible for an additional fee (~US$75). 

Program Highlights and Benefits

 

  Volunteering in Southeast Asia Offers:

  • An unforgettable experience helping and improving the local 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 into your new life abroad.

• Housing and Board

Basic, clean & comfortable accommodations with 2-4 person sharing basis in a volunteer guest house. Single room available upon request for additional fee. 3 meals/day (M-F) and 2 meals/day (weekends) are cooked at the guest house and are typical local dishes with plenty of rice and vegetarian options..

• Visa Assistance

All volunteers to Southeast Asia travel on the tourist visa. Please contact your local Southeast Asia or Southeast Asia Embassy or Consulate to check details, or ask your CE coordinator. Please note that any visa fees are the responsibility of the applicant. And, while we can assist you during the process, ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure that you have obtained the appropriate visa for your work experience. Cultural Embrace has no control over the visa process and cannot guarantee that your visa application will be accepted.

• Arrival Pick-Up and Orientation

Airport pickup is available to volunteers that arrive during the weekend. Volunteers will be picked up at a designated meeting point and then transferred to the orientation site. If week-end arrival time does not fit with transfer times an overnight at the arrival city (in a very basic hostel/hotel) may be required (included with program fee).. Weekday airport pickups are not recommended but possible with an additional transfer fee (~US$75). You will be met at the airport by our local coordinator who will then help them settle into the guest house and introduce them to their project. The first week includes many tours and lessons to help volunteers adjust and feel more comfortable.

• International Traveler’s Insurance with Basic Major Medical Coverage

Our policy provides basic medical coverage. Additional policies and premium plans are avail-able at extra cost.

• Cultural Embrace “Culture Kit”

Before your departure, we will send you a cultural kit that is filled with useful tips, advice, information, and your insurance card to prepare you for your amazing adventure of living and working abroad.

• Full-time Representation

Cultural Embrace provides English-speaking representation in the United States and Southeast Asia prior to, during, and after your placement.

Interested in other programs in Asia? Consider Professional Internships in China, or Paid Teach English in China. Or "Discover" and Paid Teach in Vietnam.

Program Requirements

In order to participate in this volunteer program, Cultural Embrace requires that you:

  • Be between the ages of 18 to 70. Or, if younger than 18, you must have parental or guardian consent
  • Have good physical health
  • Be open to foreign cultures and living abroad
  • Have a high level of responsibility
  • Be dedicated to the full term of commitment
  • Be a team player
  • Enjoy providing a service and working with others in a challenging environment

Want a quick glance view of all our programs and destinations? Click here.

2012 Program Fees

 

Country Orientation & Volunteer (2 weeks) + Volunteer Week + Beach, Trekking, Elephant & Eco Conservation, Buddhism, or Cultural Week
Thailand, Indonesia, or  Cambodia $1190 $260 $460

 

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 or Skype: Cultural.Embrace to have the forms mailed to you in 3-5 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 Note 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$250 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.

To follow current and past participants abroad, join our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Blogger community. For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089, or Skype: Cultural.Embrace.