Overview
Explore Asia

From donning you hiking boots for a trek through the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains in Nepal to unwinding on white-sand beaches in Thailand, developing your meditation technique in India to teaching English to a variety of local communities; this 13-week ‘Asian Explorer’ will take you to experience some of the diverse gems that the majestic continent of Asia has to offer. The best of GVI’s current Thailand, India and Nepal projects have been combined to create this unique program, which focuses on long running educational projects aimed at teaching English to the local communities of these countries. For just over three months you will help a variety of underprivileged communities, whilst becoming part of their traditional society and submerging yourself into the exciting and varied cultures of the East.

This combination trip allows you to enjoy a mixture of different projects and countries and offers you the opportunity to explore the region in-between your time on each program. You will arrange the travel/flights from one location to the next, allowing you more flexibility and the option to build these worthwhile programs into your travel itinerary.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

I just wanted to send you all a brief email to thank you for all your efforts in making my time in Nepal such a wonderful experience.

Ed Bieske, Nepal 2006

What Difference Does This Project Make?

As you explore through Thailand, India and Nepal, you will discover three beautiful countries that are each unique in culture, history and society. Each country, however, shares a common requirement. Despite having gained remarkable progress over recent years, there are still certain regions of these countries that remain in need of the necessary education that would allow them to take control of their own inevitable development, instead of relying on foreign development. By teaching free English classes to the community, GVI expedition members are helping to put English skills in the hands of local people so they can benefit from the increased revenue that comes from being a English-speaker (for example, in the tourism industry).

Highlights

Exploring three culturally diverse and beautiful countries, gaining valuable teaching experience to become a qualified TEFL teacher, enjoying cultural interactions with local communities, helping essential educational programmes, and experiencing some magnificent jewels of the east.

Location

Thailand – The Krabi Province, located on the Andaman Sea, is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, numerous national parks, stunning scenery and a wide range of attractions.

India – Volunteers are based in the town of Udaipur, Rajasthan, which is located in the north-western part of India, and is famed for its palaces, maharajas and exotic colours.

Nepal – Volunteers will explore the Kathmandu Valley to see the scattering of temples and the ancient city of Bhaktapur, which is located high up in the majestic Himalayan Mountains of Nepal.

Field Conditions

Thailand – Accommodation will be in dorm room that has bunk beds, a basic kitchen, a communal area and a small library. Cooking and cleaning of the base is shared on a rotational basis by expedition members.

India - The accommodation is basic but well located for access to the city and the project sites. Volunteers will be sharing rooms and all meals will be prepared for you.

Nepal – Volunteers will live in homestays with local families to give you a great chance to participate in everyday Nepali life. Sometimes other facilities, such as simple guesthouses or our trekking basecamp, are utilised.

*All have running water, electricity and basic amenities (Nepal has limited hot water and electricity)*