2 weeks in Thailand teaching monks

dellas1979

I know it might be kind of expensive (but it will all be organised for me), but Ive just over 2 weeks to take off from work during the summer, and I was thinking of doing the USIT teaching in Thailand (the buddist monks!). It is really appealing to me, but just want to know if anyone has done it before/any feedback? Would be great to hear anything. Got to make a decision soon.
Cheers.

donegal.

tefl ? two weeks is very short, could you stay another few weeks after the teachings finished? also where is it ? i'd enjoy it better if it wasn't in a big city.
If you can afford it, then go. If you can't afford it then cancel and go with a cheaper operator .

I think it's a fairly terrible idea. It's outrageously expensive for no reason.. Your €799 for 2 weeks could instead employ an extra Thai teacher for the kids for 5/6 months. Giving money to USIT for absolutely nothing isn't charity, it's just pointlessly flushing money down the toilet. You don't have to pay to volunteer.

Go find a real orphanage, give them your donation and hang around for 2 weeks teaching. A lot of Thai kids get sent to the temples for a year or so when they're growing up and don't need help. That's who you will be teaching.

eyescreamcone

Deleted User wrote: »

I think it's a fairly terrible idea. It's outrageously expensive for no reason.. Your €799 for 2 weeks could instead employ an extra Thai teacher for the kids for 5/6 months. Giving money to USIT for absolutely nothing isn't charity, it's just pointlessly flushing money down the toilet. You don't have to pay to volunteer.

Go find a real orphanage, give them your donation and hang around for 2 weeks teaching. A lot of Thai kids get sent to the temples for a year or so when they're growing up and don't need help. That's who you will be teaching.

Woooo Horsey!!!
If he wants to put his 799 on No. 7 in the 3.20 at sandown then let him.
Your attitude is a little crass in my opinion
Maybe he would prefer the security that USIT would give.
Or maybe he just wants to teach monks

Anyway, give advice - don't preach!!!

dellas1979

Ah - jeepers - I (a lady ) wasnt looking for peoples personal opinions on what I want to do.
Its my money. I can do what I choose with it! I would feel safer going with something organised. These kids (monks) are orphans. And I am giving my time to do teaching. 2 weeks would be ideal for me.

Please no more personal opinions unless anyone has experienced this or know someone who has (that was my original question/post).

wallpaper12

In fairness its a public forum and people can post what they like.

I also agree with Ads by google and think its a waste of money.

Have you ever taught english before? Because if you havent you would probably be more of a hindrance than a help, do you get teaching supplies etc as part of the programme? coz if not the teaching will be very difficult and frustrating

dellas1979

Ah lads - yeah its a public forum where people ask questions and their queries/questions are (sometimes) answered.

This thread isnt a debate on what you see as right or wrong with regards what I want to do.

My original question/query (third time lucky!) is to see if anyone has done this and what the experience was like.

dellas1979

wallpaper12 wrote: »

Have you ever taught english before?

Yes - I have (amongst my other quals) a tefl qualification. My job involves teaching/education. Ive taught at a university and an adult education center.

I also want to have a different, yet safe, experience doing something that I love doing within the 2 weeks that I am allowed off from my job.

I just want to see if anyone has done this and what their experience was.

dejopadu

if its something that you really want to do, then do it, you will not regret it......& money is money, you have a job so you will earn it again.

in 2008 i did volunteering in ghana(4 months) & it was amazing.
only advice is, if you could try to go for longer than 2 weeks as it takes time to get used to new surroundings & to get to know people.

maybe your 2 weeks wont be enough, but you can always return for your next holiday. i went back to ghana 2 years after i left (this time just for 10 day holiday)& everyone remembered my name:)

stop thinking.....just do it !!

I'm sorry for coming off as harsh but im really wondering what you think your 800euro will do.. I worked out the USIT expenses for when you're on the ground.. About $115 out of your $1050 including accom.

I'm all for volunteering and alot of my friends do some work with a street kids charity in Hanoi. It costs nothing except time and effort. I have a massive issue with big charities and agencies like USIT.. 90%of your money is lost and you will guaranteed teach them nothing in 2 weeks as an assistant teacher. Did you read the whole ad?

http://www.usit.ie/volunteer/project/teaching-monks
its also important to note that monks have religious rules against singing, clapping, dancing, sports or active games.

A completely pointless 2 weeks if ya cant even make the kids enjoy English. Might be an irrelevant post for this forum and maybe even bannable but ya sound like ya wanna do good and I'm saying ya should look at non agency money whoring options.

dellas1979

Yes-I did read the ad.
And what they can/cant do I know about and is not a problem for me.
I hear what you are saying, but I would prefer to go with something that is organised for me through an agency. Ive only 2 weeks and plus Id feel safer.
Thats the most important thing for me and the reason why. Safety.

wallpaper12

You would feel safer, safer from what? being ripped off? coz thats already happening.

There are loads of great charities here http://www.volunteerworkthailand.org/volunteer-thailand.php that would benefit far more from your money and most cost nothing at all. Im sure they could also put you in touch with people who are either volunteering there at the moment or past volunteers so you could have all the info you need.

Safety's not an issue imo.. Especially in Chiang Mai. Come to Hanoi OP and i'll set you up with volunteer work. You can donate your $1000 and feed street kids for months.. It's literally about 1000 meals for kids in need or $900 profit for an Irish company.

I admire your intentions but you're forgetting that they need your money more than your English.. Which you can give them anyway for free.

zenno

dellas1979 wrote: »

I know it might be kind of expensive (but it will all be organised for me), but Ive just over 2 weeks to take off from work during the summer, and I was thinking of doing the USIT teaching in Thailand (the buddist monks!). It is really appealing to me, but just want to know if anyone has done it before/any feedback? Would be great to hear anything. Got to make a decision soon.
Cheers.

I wouldn't worry too much about it or other peoples opinions as this is a choice you have to make, and to be honest it sounds like a very interesting and enlightening thing to do.

As you said 'It is really appealing to me' Go for it and have a great time and a great experience forsure.

dory

Play nice please. The OP asked a simple question. All suggestions/advice and be given in a friendly way.

dellas1979

Deleted User wrote: »

Safety's not an issue imo.. Especially in Chiang Mai. Come to Hanoi OP and i'll set you up with volunteer work. You can donate your $1000 and feed street kids for months.. It's literally about 1000 meals for kids in need or $900 profit for an Irish company.

I admire your intentions but you're forgetting that they need your money more than your English.. Which you can give them anyway for free.

Ive no problem being a philanthropist . What kind of volunteer work? Im looking for more educational experiences. And what about accomodation then. Flights are on top of this.

donegal.

i have almost three years experience of doing this and i cant encourage you enough . It will be two weeks you will remember for the rest of your life.
BUT i cant agree with giving that much money to usit, i would agree with everything adsbyg says.
also two weeks might seem a a long enough time , but i think you'll only be getting settled when its time to start thinking about going home.Would it be possible to use some of the money you're willing to pay and take some unpaid leave for a couple of weeks?
as for security, i think you might need to explain your fears a bit . i don't see where usit will offer extra security.

donegal.

working with Buddhist monks evokes a beautiful romantic image, but at the end of the day it won't be any more rewarding experience than working with other children in SE Asia.

cassi

Have to agree with ads by google somewhat! Op there are better ways to donate, do something good and get a rewarding experience from it.

Having lived in Asia ans been to thailand, i can say from experience that most buddist monastries are not short of cash. Along with this their lives are very strick as will yours while being there. Alot of the monks in Thailand are from a line that actually wont speak to women at all, so while you'l be respected as a teacher you may not have much of a life outside of your classes. Saying that, it may not apply to where you're looking to go.

I would encourage you to look into helping orphanages, google some amd you'll get loads of volunteer oportunities! Contact the christina noble foundation in saigon city in vietnam! I spent a day with them last year and i wish i could do more. They may arrange something for you. Also saigon is an amazinh city!

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy it

dellas1979

Lads-honest-Im going to be doing it this way-so please no more talks about where my money is going.

If you've a problem with what im doing, talk to USIT instead of me. Its what I want to do. Good luck to the rest of ye who do volunteering in other areas though.

Noone here so far has done this (bar one similar experience), so I'll keep hoping someone will answer the Q!

wallpaper12

The fact that no one has done should raise questions. Have you asked usit to put you into contact with past volunteers?
The fact that you wont even consider volunteering where you money will actually go to help kids rather than to a big business is odd

dellas1979

No it doesnt mean anything odd or im not odd. I imagine alot of people dont do this, because of the money aspect.

Can you not let me live and let live and get on with your own things.
I want to do this and your comments are not deterring me. I give plenty to charity and volunteer work.

Kamjana

At the end of the day delles its your money and you do what you want with it,yeah maybe 1000€ will buy loads of meals for kids in Hanoi why should she be made feel bad because she wants to spend it teaching monks in Thailand.

Some people need to get over themselves,OP go over to Thailand teach what you can to the monks and enjoy yourself,thats all that matters.

I don't want to make anyone feel bad for what are great intentions.. I've just met a lot of Australian volunteers who fund raised thousands of dollars to do 3 month volunteering programs but have been left sorely disappointed when they get on the ground and think about the money.

I'm done trying to convince otherwise. Good luck with it OP.. We're all subscribed to this thread so update it after you get back. I hope it works out well for ya.

stringed theory

To put this in perspective, I stayed in a monastery in Chiang Mai several years ago, got my own room, two good meals a day, individual tuition in meditation techniques - and it was all FREE. Some people there were staying up to a month. Of course I gave a donation before leaving, but there was absolutely no pressure to do so.
I think, if the OP has the time, he would do better to sort out something after he gets to Thailand.

dory

stringed theory, please read the thread before posting. All further unhelpful comments will be deleted and/or infractions given.

That's a helpful post.

dory

This thread is just going round in circles and no one is answering the OP's post, or reading the replies. Thread locked.

EDIT: Re-opened as per OPs request

Any updates?

dellas1979

Yep - booked and paid for :-)

Going over in august for 2.5 weeks and looking forward to it.

It is something Im interested in doing on an annual basis, so Ill see how I get on with this. Then maybe look into other volunteer areas. I just feel safer going with a company first time round.

Do some good research on the religion and know the differences between the two main buddhist teachings. You'll enjoy it more.