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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Video Diary: Thailand Rural School Project
Andrew Durrant and Sandeep Rajgopal volunteered in a rural hill tribe school this summer. The school they volunteered at made a thank you video for them, check it out to get an idea of what it would be like to volunteer in Thailand! (more…)
Volunteer Diary: Don’t Think: ACT!
“If you are thinking about volunteering with VESL my message would be don’t think – act! You are guaranteed an incredibly rewarding experience you will never forget. The schools here in Sri Lanka desperately need more volunteers to help improve their English speaking and listening, and your efforts will be more than appreciated. Come and […]
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 […]
Volunteer Diary: Adjusting to life in the village
Olivia Higginson is writing a great blog about her time volunteering in Kerala, India for 3 months, below are some excerpts from her blog describing her first couple of days and adjusting to life in an Indian fishing community… So have spent 2 nights with my new family. Where to start? (more…)
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
Student Leader Diary – India 2012 – Saying Goodbye
“There really is an endless list of what I will miss… but hopefully I will get to visit at some point next year!” Lauren Plüss, 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
Student Leader Diary – India 2012 – Opening a School Library
We were very lucky to receive a donation of books from Usborne Books before we left, and there was a great selection of books for the children to use. With these books and money we had raised, we decided, with permission of the school, that it would be good to start a school English library […]
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 Feedback : Alisdair Smith
“The teaching was great fun and, as someone with little prior experience, I would definitely say that it’s not as scary as you might think!” Alisdair Smith, Volunteer in Thailand, 2011
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
