If beaches aren’t really your thing and you need a place to just sit back, relax and chill against a backdrop of mountains, Chiang Mai is the place to be! There’s no shortage of excellent food and coffee offered in an abundance of hip joints for extremely fair prices. Despite the vast amounts of tourists passing through Chiang Mai for its rich culture and endless variety of activities, it hasn’t lost its authenticity and Thai charm. It’s no surprise everyone can’t get enough of this versatile hub. Are you itching to become a volunteer in Chiang Mai yet?
There are many different ways for volunteers to become active and make a change in Chiang Mai. As it is a popular tourist destination in Thailand, there is a great need in the field of elephant protection at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and it is necessary to educate tourists and locals alike on the cruel methods behind the popular tourist attractions. Read on to find out about the projects that volunteers can engage in and what kind of volunteering work you will be doing at each project.
Some NGOs working with rescued elephants are looking for photography intern volunteers! Considering the backdrop of rolling mountains and having elephants as your models, this is undoubtedly a unique opportunity for any art or photography student. If you’re fit and up for a day hike to observe and take exclusive shots of these plus sized models roaming around and foraging in their habitat, volunteering at such a program is definitely for you.
The elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai is set amongst the Karen Hilltribe allowing volunteers to experience the unique culture and learn directly from these people who have a long history of keeping elephants. The Karen Hilltribe have a unique culture which will definitely get your creative juices running and undoubtedly result in some stellar shots.
Despite being great models, elephants also need to be taken care of which is why the elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai are also looking for volunteers to help take care of them in the semi-wild sanctuary. If you see a future as a veterinarian or simply have a heart for animals, joining the project as an Elephant Research Intern and as a volunteer in Chiang Mai could be perfect for you.
An extra perk to this organization is that it’s situated within the Karen Hilltribe which will expose you to an entirely new culture. Tasks as a volunteer in Chiang Mai at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai may include:
Another elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai is situated in the lush jungle of the beautiful Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai. If you’re keen on saving this majestic beast, these are some of the tasks you can look forward to as a volunteer in Chiang Mai at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai:
If you can’t get enough of volunteering and helping out, the longer you stay, the better it gets! Long-term volunteers get the opportunity to care for baby primates, animals in the quarantine area and go on animal rescues! If you really want to volunteer with elephants in Chiang Mai and are looking for the best elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, just check our programs with these big creatures.
There are also NGOs in Chiang Mai looking for English teachers! Volunteers with a teaching degree or ambitions in the educational sector can definitely contribute by volunteering and teaching English at the school along with other locals. When teaching English as a volunteer in Chiang Mai, you will also have a crucial role in bringing across the important message about the captive elephant situation to the local community and other tourists.
Even though the projects you volunteer for will keep you more than busy, Chiang Mai has an endless list of activities to offer. Some of the most popular activities are:
You’ll need to volunteer long enough to make it through this lengthy list but that’s still not all Chiang Mai has to offer! If you need a break from nature and crave the city life, Chiang Mai has some very interesting art galleries and of course lots of temples. When you’re cultured out, you can go SHOPPING! With its world-famous Night Bazaar, you can literally shop til you drop and stuff your backpack with the most original souvenirs.
Chiang Mai is known for its fantastic Thai Food which you can not only sample at the Night market but also in the variety of restaurants scattered around the city. During certain festivals such as Songkran (the Thai New Year water festival) and Loy Krathong, you will be excellently located as a volunteer in Chiang Mai.
When traveling abroad, there are always a few things you should inform yourself about beforehand and that you should keep in mind to make sure that you will have a pleasant stay. This is some useful information about Chiang Mai and some tips that might help you as a future volunteer in Chiang Mai.
As a true tourist hotspot, Chiang Mai is considered relatively safe to travel, even if you're going solo. However, there are some things you, as a volunteer in Chiang Mai, might want to keep in mind to avoid getting in trouble with the law:
If there's one thing you definitely do not want during your volunteer vacation, it's falling ill. And whilst you can't always avoid it, there are definitely some things that will help you to stay healthy during your stay as a volunteer in Chiang Mai:
Buddhism has strong influences on Thai culture with 95% of the population being Buddhist. This is why many of the traditions and believes come directly from Buddhist principles. Some important values in forms of behavior in Thailand are the following:
Depending on when you will be traveling to Chiang Mai and what kind of volunteer work you will be doing, there are some essentials you should bring with you to make life a bit easier and more comfortable:
As you will have noticed by now, there is great number of different volunteer projects that expect different skills and abilities from their volunteers. While you can find out the specific requirements for each project on their profile on Volunteer World, here are some general requirements that apply to most projects in Chiang Mai:
So you’re ready to volunteer in Chiang Mai but you’re not quite sure how to get started? Take a look at the following 3 steps that will prepare you for your Chiang Mai volunteer program abroad and an unforgettable adventure:
Once this is sorted. Let’s take a look at the practical steps:
Insurance (Health & travel) We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is even a requirement for most programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.
Visa, Passport and Documentation Once you know your destination, take the following 3 steps before setting off on your life changing adventure!
That’s it! You’re ready to volunteer in Chiang Mai and have the volunteer experience of a lifetime!
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