VOLUNTEERS DESTINATION : Southeast Asia is a great region to volunteer abroad in: theres plenty of need, boundless volunteer projects and opportunities, incredibly friendly people, and its an extremely inexpensive area to spend some time in. Thailand and Cambodia are two of the top picks in the region to volunteer (--> with good reason!) Thailand has more than four times the population of Cambodia and is almost three times larger in size. Both countries boast a variety of landscapes. Thick jungles and gorgeous waterfalls abound in both countries. And while Thailand is known for its beaches, Cambodia has a few hidden gems to offer which are likely to be much less crowded and more relaxing than Thailands popular, often party-hopping islands. In general, if youre looking to get off the beaten path, Cambodia may be your best bet. Thailand is a bit more touristy (although you can of course find areas that arent), while Cambodias touristy areas (the biggie being Angkor Wat) are smaller in number and much more avoidable. Another point of difference is the French influence in Cambodia, especially notable in its cuisine, dating back from its colonization by France for nearly a century from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. The two countries have very different histories, and Cambodia suffered from a dark past from which it is still trying to heal. Only a few short decades ago the Khmer Rouge regime terrorized the country, killing millions of its people. The country is also struggling with unexploded landmines, left buried in rural areas since 1970. In many cases Thailand and Cambodia are very similar in cost of living. There are some areas of difference though. If youll be taking care of your own housing while volunteering, Cambodia may be a better bet with cheaper rent prices. However, if you are more worried about having some of the comforts of home, youll have a better chance of finding it in Thailand, most likely at a much lower price. Also worth noting is currency. Thailand uses the Thai baht. In Cambodia, the official currency is the riel (K100 is 1 peso in our country), but the U.S. dollar is just as common, if not more so. Entering these two countries for Asians is easy. No visa is required for a 30 days stay. There are an enormous amount of volunteer opportunities in both countries, generally very similar types of work and fields. Many of the same organizations run different projects in both countries (which also means you could easily pair two different projects together and volunteer in both countries!). Teaching English, working with children and orphans, community development, human rights, and HIV/AIDS education are the most common areas for volunteering.There are also opportunities for conservation and wildlife volunteering in both countries.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 03:31:28 +0000
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