Alison Leighton, a volunteer from Edinburgh University, volunteered with VESL in Kerala, India this summer for six weeks, here she describes getting over her initial nerves and the amazing experience of living with a host family. On 12th July 2013 I left the UK to teach English in a small village near Trivandrum in Kerala, […]
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Volunteer Diary: First Day
Katie Desmond and Stacey Smail are two volunteers from Edge Hill University who volunteered in Thailand for six weeks, here they reflect on what happened on their first day at their project and how welcoming the host community were to them. On the first day of school we got shown around by our two host […]
A day in the life: Thailand Project
“Get involved with the culture and take every opportunity that comes your way as not only does it combat homesickness, it will create memories to make this one of the greatest experiences of your life!” Katie Desmond and Stacey Smail, Volunteers in Thailand 2012
A day in the life: rural Thailand project
“My favourite part of the day is when the children sit in the hall waiting to see which class room I walk into, which ever class I walk into the students let out a great big cheer.” Michelle Bainbridge, Volunteer in Thailand 2012
How time flies… [Volunteer Journal]
Lucy Allcock is a student from Edgehill University and she is a volunteer in one of the Student Leadership Programme teams from Edgehill. Lucy has completed her first week in India, here she enlightens you all on how the time has flown by and what an amazing time she has had so far… Wow! It’s […]
Help! I don’t know what to pack
It is really difficult knowing what to pack for your trip overseas, when I first packed to go travelling I had a HUGE pile of things to take and a backpack – there was no way that I was going to be able to take a quarter of the stuff I had originally planned on […]
VESL Volunteer Featured in Gap Year Travel Guide
Alex Quinn has been featured in a 2012 Gap Year Travel Guide… Alex is one of our long term volunteers in Northern Thailand on an 11 month project that began in Autumn 2011. Alex has been teaching English in a local primary school and also supports a special needs school near Chiang Rai. In […]
Volunteer Case-Study : A Day in the Life
“We made a difference by teaching English to children who live in poor conditions and seeing them improve day-by-day in their English language as well as having fun, smiling and laughing with happiness was a joy every day.” Emma Powell, Thailand, 2010-11
Volunteer Case-Study : Chiang Rai, Thailand
“It is surprising how quick we settled in. Everyone was so helpful and caring.” Caley Vye, Thailand, 2010-11
Volunteer Case-Study : Thailand
“I cannot think of a better way to spend my summer… it will be an experience you will always remember” Emma Warrington, Thailand, 2010
Volunteer Feedback – Jo Taylor, Volunteer Sri Lanka 2007
“All of the teachers have been enthusiastic and supportive… They understand the benefits the students can receive from a native English speaker and are eager to make the most of this opportunity.” – Jo Taylor, Sri Lanka Volunteer 2007
VESL Volunteer Interview, Student Direct, Feb 2007
“You meet some fantastic people, see a beautiful country and have the opportunity to make a small but measurable difference.” – Anna Watt, Sri Lanka Volunteer, 2004
Volunteer Feedback – Jenny Chalmers, Sri Lanka Volunteer 2005
“The sense of pride and achievement I had was phenomenal… the work I did was rewarding and worthwhile… the memories of teaching and living in such a beautiful rural village, shall stay with me for a long time.” – Jenny Chalmers, Sri Lanka Volunteer 2005
