Itinerary

Arrival

ARRIVAL

Days 1 - 4

BRIEFING

Days 5 - 34

TEACHING PROJECT

After your time at Maekok you will go to the schools where you will be living.   You will be placed in houses, which will be ‘home' for the duration of the project.

There will be basic washing and lavatory arrangements, with limited cooking facilities. You will have to do your own food shopping and prepare your meals, using an allowance provided by AV. Lunch will be taken with the staff at your school.

The schools are enthusiastic about your arrival and you are expected to teach English and get involved with other activities in the community.

The Thai schools’ English syllabus is entirely an exercise in writing, so neither teachers nor children get a chance to speak it. That’s where you come in! You will teach each class in your school two or three times per week, helping the Thai English teacher with pronunciation and giving the children a massive boost in confidence. You may be asked by teachers and villagers to run separate classes for them. You can also play sports with the children (each school has a pitch at its centre) or perhaps help with art.

In exchange, teachers will explain the Thai way of life and traditions and, perhaps, teach you some Thai dancing or Takraw (a sort of cross between volleyball and football). 

AV views the project work as the most important part of your stay in Asia.

There will be several weekends with planned activities, including the following:

• Weekend in Chiang Mai
  
• Adventure activities at MRVR - kayaking, climbing, cycling, high ropes etc
• Huay Bon Lake - hiking, hill tribe villages, caves, gorges, and camping
• Final weekend: kayaking and camping overnight on the banks of the Maekok; long-tailed boat to Ban Ruam Mit to ride an elephant; tour of Golden Triangle; Hall of Opium Museum; and a final night in Chiang Rai.
  

Day 35

RETURN HOME

TIME FOR ADVENTURE & TRAVEL

WHAT'S INCLUDED

BEFORE DEPARTURE:

• Pre-departure information, support and advice
• Advice on flight arrangements

IN-COUNTRY:

• In-country representative
• 24/7 in-country backup
• Meet and greet at airport (if arriving at recommended time)
• Airport transfer (if arriving at recommended time)
• In-country induction course
• Transfer from induction course to project
• Accommodation during programme
• Food allowance during programme
• All transport during programme, except any internal flights or to optional activities
• Management of emergencies, including lost passport, illness, etc. whilst in-country

UPON RETURNING HOME:

• Returning home advice
• Full telephone debriefing 

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Country visas
• Meeting of early/late arrivals
• Accommodation for early/late arrivals
• Medical expenses, e.g. inoculations, malaria prophylatics
• In-country medical expenses
• Drinks
• Tips/gratuities - No tips/gratuities for AV staff are necessary or expected
• Spending money
• Extra activities that you choose to do
• Independent travel