FAQ About OpenmindProjects
In 2001, under the name IT in Isan, we began pioneering a computer training project in poor northeastern Thailand villages to see how the “digital divide” could be bridged. IT in Isan‘s goal was to give poor children and teenagers a chance to learn how to use computers and at the same time to learn other subjects by using computers and the internet, identifying the best ways in which to do this. As we became more established, we changed our name to Openmind Projects. Read more
To improve learning opportunities for underprivileged people and encourage the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for better (distance) learning opportunities. To encourage cross-cultural understanding by inviting international volunteers to help us.
To improve learning opportunities for underprivileged people and encourage the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for better (distance) learning opportunities. To encourage cross-cultural understanding by inviting international volunteers to help us.
Very nice and rewarding but also demanding and requiring maturity, initiative and independence. A great personal development opportunity for the volunteer.
No, we focus on supporting learning with the help of ICT, developing education, especially e-learning, with the help of volunteers, partners and other organizations. We also focus on locally-based and sustainable eco-tourism and wildlife protection since these also help the poor local people in the long-term.
We have a small number of local staff in both Nong Khai and Krabi in Thailand, as well as additional volunteer staff and local trainees. In Laos, Cambodia, and Nepal we have local coordinators in-country, as well as country contact persons overseas who used to be volunteers. We collaborate with and support some 60 projects in SE Asia: schools, community-based ecotourism projects, national parks, health and child care, and other projects.
Our regional contact persons and national staff make regular visits and phone calls.
In northeast Thailand, the schools normally pick you up from our Training Center in Nong Khai.
In South Thailand, our local contact persons will assist you in getting to your placement.
Our Lao and Khmer staff usually take you to the Lao and Cambodia projects.
In Nepal, our coordinator meets you at Kathmandu airport and on arrival in Chitwan too.
You apply via our website, and then we will provide you with more details about specific volunteer opportunities and conditions.
Basic Information
As you can imagine different types of projects are suited to different kinds of people. Trekking for long distances through the jungle to see elephants requires quite different skills compared to teaching English to a class of 20-50 lively young kids. But both these things require patience, confidence and a mind open to learn new and often unexpected things.
The minimum amount of time you can volunteer is two weeks. One to three months is the most common period of stay. Longer than that is usually no problem but it is something you can discuss with us so we can find the solution that best suits everyone involved.
When you arrive in Thailand the first thing we want you to do is to travel to Nong Khai, in the Northeast. This is where our Training Center is located and the birthplace of Openmind Projects. This is where you will receive training in the local language of your placement, along with learning about culture, important local values, etiquette, dos and don’ts, as well as how to work with local people and to teach. It is all based on our ’Learning by Doing’ philosophy – activity-based learning.
This is an important introduction and will take 3.5 days. Previous volunteers all agree that these few days proved extremely valuable. The difference in language and culture can feel overwhelming for a first time visitor. The training session is our way to prepare you for your placement, and a valuable chance for you to grow in skill and confidence. We do it as much for for the local people that you will work with: well-prepared volunteers are more effective in helping local people!
Of course. The local guide, the person responsible for your lodging and the staff at our main facilities will all work together to see that you are well taken care of. However, please keep in mind that there is only so much support that we can provide. As a volunteer, you are expected not to be a burden on people who are often already struggling to make ends meet.
It’s a good rule of thumb to prepare for simple living conditions and be pleasantly surprised, rather than the other way around.
You are welcome to our free 3-day Cross Cultural Volunteer Training program in Nong Khai before you start. Guided by our local staff, you’ll learn about Openmind Projects, Southeast Asian culture and language, basic language skills, teaching English, and other information specific to your project. For more information: Volunteer & Cross Cultural Training Abroad. The training days are free and don’t count towards the number of days you plan to volunteer.
School Projects
Schools normally start around 8.30am when Thai students line up by the Thai flag in front of the school, sing the National Anthem, repeat Buddhist chants and listen to announcements from principals and teachers. Lessons start at 9:00am. Each class lasts about 50 minutes. Lunch break is at noon and at 1:00pm classes start again, lasting till 4.00p.m. After school some students go home but others stay around the school playing games like football, volleyball, takroh (a popular Thai game), etc.
Teaching alone is always a possibility because of a lack of teachers or because teachers lack of confidence in their language skills and are scared to speak, especially in front of farang (foreign) volunteers.
Students and teachers dress formally at school, so bring skirts (at least covering your knees) or trousers (with long legs), blouses (not low cut in front or showing your shoulders), shirts and nice shoes (not flip flops) so you can dress appropriately.
Depending on the project, volunteers stay at our Center in Nong Khai or Krabi, in teachers’ housing, with a host family, with a teacher, or in a guesthouse. For more information, see Volunteer Life Overseas in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal.
Other Projects
Depending on their skills and experience, along with the season and local needs, volunteers might participate in:
- Coral reef surveys
- Debris surveys
- Marine life data collection
- Mangrove reforestation
- Teaching English
- Developing research and tourist information in English
- Sea bottom and beach clean ups
- Data collection, research and documentation
- Community education at schools
Volunteers might stay in staff bungalows or at the main Center in the park. If you would like more privacy, we can recommend nearby guesthouses.
Volunteers help in ecotourism projects in many ways, including:
- Teaching English
- Teaching effective guiding and home stay hospitality skills
- Providing guidance in preparing home stay facilities
- Participating in survey work (for those with experience and related skills)
- Developing ecotourism packages and exhibits
- Creating marketing and promotional materials
- Designing websites
- Explaining ecotourism opportunities and encouraging conservation
Diving depends on your skills, the current needs of the local project and the season. Projects require technical diving experience for some tasks but less experienced divers are welcome at other times. Diving season is November to April. Weather is of course always a factor. We will work with you to find the most appropriate placement.
Travel Information
Note: Visa requirements are subject to change. The following information is accurate at the time we put this together but you should check the relevant links to ensure there have been no changes since then.
Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Nepal all have “visa-on-arrival” options (you get a 30-day visa when you arrive at the airport or border crossing). You can also apply to their embassy or consulate before you leave home.
Thailand
Most nationalities don’t require a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
If staying for over 30 days, we recommend applying for a visa. Being a Thai Foundation/NGO, Openmind Projects will help you with a special invitation letter.
For more information, contact the Thai embassy or consulate in your country. Check the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for official information.
More useful updates are posted on our online community (Thai Visa Information updates).
A visa is required to enter Laos, but the exact requirements depend on your nationality. Tourist visas permitting stays of up to one month are obtainable in Bangkok, the immigration office in Nong Khai or at most border crossing points. International volunteers normally travel with a tourist visa. Placements in Laos can help volunteers to prolong their visa if necessary.
For the latest information contact your nearest Lao embassy or consulate.
Recommendations vary by individual country, so we are not able to give specific advice. Many governments or state health departments offer comprehensive information. For instance, try the Center for Disease Control in the US or NHS Travel Advice in the UK. You should visit your doctor at least 4 – 6 weeks before departure.
Yes. You should have travel insurance that covers accidents, medical treatment and emergency cancellation of your trip. Ask your insurance company or travel agency. If you pay for your flight with a credit card, it may include travel insurance: ask the travel agency or credit card company for details. Bring your insurance policy/certificate with you on your trip and leave a hard copy at home.
Most major towns are linked to Bangkok by domestic flights. Most operate from Don Muang airport; a few go from Suvarnabhumi. Ground transportation is comprehensive and inexpensive. There are convenient connections with the North, Northeast and South of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Do not expect buses or trains to be punctual!
You can fly to Udon Thani from Bangkok. There is a limousine service from the airport to Nong Khai, which takes about one hour. Alternatively, you can take a day or night train to Nong Khai on the Northeastern line from Hua Lampong station in Bangkok. Nong Khai is the very last station, and the journey takes about 12 hours. Day and night A/C buses also run from Bangkok to Nong Khai.
To get to the Training Center from Nong Khai bus or train station, catch a tuk tuk. Ask the tuk tuk or limousine driver to take you to Paluang Soi See at the end of Prajak Road. You can print out this map to show the driver.
More detailed travel information is available in the Pre-Departure Handbook, which you receive once you have confirmed your placement.
You can fly from Bangkok to Krabi or to Phuket (and from there get a bus to Krabi). Once you arrive at Krabi airport, you can take a taxi to the Openmind House. Buses run to Krabi from the Southern Bus station in Bangkok. You can catch a local bus or taxi to the Openmind House from the bus station. There is no direct train service to Krabi. You can take a train to Surat Thani and then a taxi or bus to Krabi.
To get to the Openmind House, print out this map and show it to your driver.
More detailed travel information is available in the Pre-Departure Handbook, which you receive once you have confirmed your placement.
You can get a bus from Bangkok to Mae Sot, or fly to Sukhothai and take a 3 hour bus or minivan to Mae Sot. If you are travelling from Nong Khai, you can take a bus from Udon Thani to Phitsanulok and then another to Tak. There are regular services from Tak bus station to Mae Sot. You can also fly from Udon Thani to Chiang Mai and make your way from there.
More detailed travel information is available in the Pre-Departure Handbook, which you receive once you have confirmed your placement.
You can travel by train from Hua Lamphong station, Bangok to Aranyaprathet and take a tuk tuk or motorbike directly to the Rongklua border crossing. Then take the government shuttle bus to the transport station, from where you can take a shared taxi to Siem Reap. You can also fly to Siem Reap from Bangkok.
More detailed travel information is available in the Pre-Departure Handbook, which you receive once you have confirmed your placement.
Laos is still formally a communist state with an authoritarian government, which receives substantial international aid. However, it is not ruled by “law” as most westerners would think of it. Police may be suspicious of foreigners, and arbitrary, inefficient or even non-existent. Therefore, working and traveling in Laos requires a certain amount of caution and prudence. However, the government is aware of the potential of tourism and is therefore eager to make visitors feel welcome. Lao people are very friendly.
The major safety issue in Laos is traffic: drivers have little training and are quite unpredictable. Visitors should be careful when walking, riding a bike or driving a car, especially during weekends and holidays. As with any country, also take care when carrying your valuables.
Costs & Money
Charging a low fee for volunteer placements is our only way to fund our project activities and pay for our expenses. We do not charge schools or other beneficiaries any costs for our services, instead we reimburse them for their costs of having volunteers. We have no offices overseas so all the funds we receive stay local and benefit the local people.
It is included in the fee for most places. During their free time, volunteers pay for themselves.
We don’t sell tickets – We help you find the most cost-effective tickets from your preferred booking providers with no extra charge!