Mid-Term Report
By Katharina, Volunteer in Intercultural and Language (ICL)- RPK24 Phayao, July 2024
Never before in my life has time passed so quickly. Now I’ve been in Thailand for six months and it´s been a ride of emotions. A time full of laughter tears and uncertainty. Actually, I´ve never really new what the next days or weeks would bring, but that only made this time more magical and exciting. I’ve made friends many memories and experiences and I learned a lot about myself and who I want to become in the future.
My journey started in January, I arrived in Hat Yai first. It was the first time for me in Thailand and in general alone so far from home. Everything was new and exciting and I was very tired because of the long flight. The orientation camp was a lot of fun, luckily, I wasn’t completely alone I joined short term volunteers from South Korea and Italy who were very kind and fun. Furthermore, the host family was very kind and gave us a lot of food, unfortunately I wasn’t able to eat a lot because I had to get used to all the spices and the different kind of food. Nowadays I love the Thai cuisine.
After a few days in Hat Yai I took a flight to Chiang Rai where I was picked up by a teacher. Some teachers had lunch at a café I met some there also the director. To be honest it was really awkward at first, I didn’t know how to act and I was a bit intimidated by all the people. After having something to drink we went to school. I was shown my flat where I would live for the next 12 months. In the evening two teachers went out for dinner with me, they were so kind. The next day we went shopping to get some stuff I needed for the flat and also some food and snacks. Furthermore, bought some things for an event that was taking place the next day. To be honest I think I forgot so many things because everything was so new and exciting and I was so curious of how my time will be here. Now that I’ve been here for six months I can tell you that I really feel at home here and despite all difficulties I’ve never regretted my decision to come to Thailand.
The next few weeks flew by, I started to participate in the English lessons and also some activities. In the beginning it was hard for me to get the courage to go out and get in contact with the students and teachers. I felt insecure and a bit shy although everyone was very nice. I took some time for me, and I think also for the students, to gain trust and get familiar with each other. During this time, I learned a lot and I also got more confident talking to new people. This time really helped me to get more confident when meeting people. It really helped me that the teachers took me with them a lot of times, we went to restaurants cafes and events. I always had a lot of fun and I learned a lot about Thailand and Thai people. For that, and all the things, especially the teachers helped me with, I am very grateful.
In February the other two volunteers from Germany arrived at the school. We were invited to a welcoming party by the director and a few days later we were also invited to a house warming party in the neighbourhood. After a few weeks M.3 and M.6 had their graduation party it was very emotional for them. To be honest I felt a bit out of place, just because I haven’t known them for long and I think it was a very special and intimate moment for them. On the weekend we joined M.6 on a trip to Bangkok and Pattaya.
In Bangkok we visited an educational park for sufficiency economy. We stayed at a military base in Pattaya. There we visited the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and the beach. It was very fun although the bus ride was very long.
After that the summer brake started and we went to Chiang Mai. The other two only stayed the weekend because they had to go and get their visa. I stayed in Chiang Mai for a few more days and planned to do a meditation course near Chiang Mai city. At this point I got very homesick, I felt lost and really didn’t know how to get over it. Despite this I went to the meditation course and it was very healing. I still was homesick but my teacher gave me some tips how to cope with it. In general, I learned a lot about Buddhism and in some ways, I was able to change my thinking so I can be more optimistic and at peace. This week was very interesting and helpful.
Afterwards I went back to school and met with a former volunteer, she was a volunteer at the school one year ago. We came into contact through the German organisation, she helped me a lot beforehand and even now, as she had similar experiences to mine. We went on a little trip to Chiang Rai and had a lot of fun, then I had to go back to school again to sort out my visa issue, which seemed easier at the time than it ended up being. It would be too much if I explained the problem in detail but unfortunately the situation with the visa is quite complicated and causes me stress again and again. After I waited for some time I decided to go to Chiang Mai to celebrate Songkran (Thai New Year) there. I had a lot of fun and was happy to be able to leave the stress behind me.
After I went to Laos for one day I went to Bangkok and travelled around. I visited Hua Hin, Bangkok, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai and soon the summer brake was over and I travelled back to school. Actually, I was happy to be back. I really missed the students and teachers. Soon after we were back another volunteer joined our school she´s been in Thailand for almost one year already, I’ve met her before and I was happy that she joined our group.
The first week started with workshops for the students and teachers about laughing yoga and positivity in the classroom. Even though I didn’t understand a lot it was very interesting to join. Then we got our schedule and the regular classes started, as before we were warmly welcomed. However, we had to leave to Malaysia to apply for new visa as ours expired. Unfortunately, it didn’t work and I was very anxious about it because it was the second time there was a problem. It caused me stress but after some time I calmed down and was able to enjoy the rest of the time in Malaysia.
Two days after we came back from our trip, 10 short term volunteers from wales arrived at our school. At first, I was a bit sceptical how it will work out with so many volunteers at one project but actually it’s a lot of fun. In the beginning everything was a bit confusing but now its fine and we get along well.
As for my schedule I have a lot of fun teaching. When I came here the first time I was quite insecure about teaching the students and try to teach them English in a fun way. However, the more I did it I got more comfortable and I think the students got more comfortable talking to me too so now I really enjoy being in English class. The activities are also a lot of fun where I have the opportunity to learn new things and come into even closer contact with the students. Fortunately, the teachers there are very patient with me, even if I sometimes take a bit longer than the students.
We also had an English camp at our school and a school nearby. Together with the other volunteers we created six stations with different topics. Our group did shop at the market which was a lot of fun preparing. I really like my work here and this was a nice new experience to have.
Here I am getting better in finding solutions instead of being frustrated if something doesn’t work out and I got better in accepting situations as they are. Moreover, find it easier and easier to accept myself as I am and not to constantly compare myself with others, even though it’s still a long way to go to become the person I want to be
I feel like this report can´t do justice to the unique experiences I had and the great people I met. From all the teachers who look after me to the students who often make me laugh and from whom I can also learn a lot. From the kitchen staff who provides us with food every day to all the other workers at the school who greet us so nicely every time and all the people I've had the pleasure of meeting on my journey so far. Although my time here was sometimes hard and I shed a tear or two, I don't regret coming here. I am very grateful for all the people who helped me and all the experiences I was able to make.
