Not just a brief volunteer induction or volunteer orientation.
All overseas volunteers expats, travelers going to Southeast Asia are welcomed, every 3 weeks, to our intense Training at our Volunteer and Training Center in NongKhai by the Mekong River in Northeast Thailand where your volunteer overseas adventure starts. The objective of our training is to help you become a successful volunteer, able to make good use of your special talents in a new culture. A successful volunteer has social and cross-cultural skills, a combination of curiosity and self-confidence and, of course, patience and flexibility. Our training is focused on boosting those skills and your self confidence.
You will learn about Southeast Asia culture codes, dos and don’ts, and how to dress. During the 3-day intense training, you will interact with local people the first day - already becoming immersed in Southeast Asian culture. An unforgettable hands on learning by doing experience!

The training is mandatory for most projects and highly recommended by past volunteers, local teachers, national park managers and headmasters.

The Training Center consists of two houses. Volunteers have a special office with PCs, Internet, and Skype as well as wireless Internet for those who bring their own laptops. There is also a small library in the volunteer office with travel books, various literature, and teaching sources. The houses have bedrooms for volunteers, our local trainees and staff. There are showers in both houses, a terrace with Thai style kitchen, a garden, tennis court, fitness/training equipment, and TV with DVD. Air conditioning is available for a small extra fee.

NongKhai is a town in the heart of Indochina on the shores of the legendary Mekong River and the Friendship Bridge linking Laos to Thailand. You can walk along the streets of NongKhai or go down to the river from our Training Center! Soak up the exotic Indochinese atmosphere and try one of many Thai, Isan, Vietnamese, or Chinese restaurants. The food is delicious and cheap! Watch the sunset over the Mekong.

There are other attractions too. The royal Wat Pho Chai with its legendary Golden Buddha from Laos, is a must; as is the Buddhist/Hindu Sculpture Park, Sala Kaeow Khu, unique in Southeast Asia!

You can practice many sports. Tennis (here or in area), jogging, swimming, badminton, football/soccer or volleyball. Try the local nightlife, a typical Asian karaoke bar or listen to Thai rock performed by local artists!

Go on excursions along the Mekong River! The valley drive east of NongKhai is considered to be among the most scenic in Thailand. Go jungle trekking in the Phu Wua Mountains, one of OpenmindProjects Eco projects; swim in waterfalls, trace wild elephants, and stay overnight with charming local host families.

Krabi is one of the most attractive destinations in Southern Thailand. It borders on the Andaman Sea with sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs and numerous islands, as well as mountains and forests with caves and waterfalls. You find a cross-section of Thai and Chinese culture in Krabi. There is also an ethnic group called Sea Gypsies or Chao Le, whose origins are still unknown.

Krabi has two predominant seasons. Some people prefer to visit Krabi in the “rainy” season (Jun – Nov) as it is cooler, despite the risk of showers, and lower costs and less crowded.

The Phi Phi islands consist of limestone mountains, spectacular islands and caves as well as coral reefs, ideal for scuba diving.

The Koh Khlang Island just 10 minutes by boat brings you into another world, meeting the friendly island Muslims. This is one of the eco projects we support.

Koh Khlang island is just 10 minutes by boat and will bring you into another world, meeting the friendly island Muslims. This is one of the eco projects we support. Fossil Shell beach is 17 km from Krabi town with a tremendous number of shells embedded near the seashore amassed some 40 million years ago! Visit Koh Klang website made by OpenmindProjects volunteer