Global Nomadic

I've just returned from a trip to Cambodia which included the Global Nomadic "Volunteer Teaching -Teach in Cambodia" project in Samraong. Whilst I recommend the programme, which is teaching English in Greenway Primary School run by Green Lion, I can't unfortunately recommend Global Nomadic.
Some background information on the project is that in Cambodia primary school children go to state schools for half a day - either a morning or afternoon session. If their parents have sufficient funds, they then pay for their children to have additional private lessons.
The Greenway School provides those additional English classes for students whose family earns less than $100 per month. From what I gathered while at the Greenway School, the English classes are free to its pupils as the school is funded almost exclusively by donations. In addition, it is almost entirely reliant on volunteer teachers.
I enjoyed my time on the project, but despite being a seasoned volunteer I was very apprehensive prior to joining given the lack of information received from Global Nomadic and then the contradictory information I received direct from Green Lion (Green Lion was correct).
So, some things that I wish I had known prior to signing up for the project which I hope may assist future volunteers (some of the following contracts the information provided by Global Nomadic, so is solely based on my experience):
• Travel to and from the project is very easy and by taxi. This takes 2 hours from Siem Reap and costs $30. Taxis can take up to 4 people, so the $30 is split between passengers. My transfer to the project was included in my payment to Global Nomadic, but I knew I'd have to make my own way back. Global Nomadic told me that I'd need to catch a bus back to Siem Reap - there are no buses!
• The transfers to the project are only on Sundays. I was told that I'd be collected on Saturday and arranged my accommodation accordingly. Shortly before leaving the UK I had to phone Global Nomadic to find out details of my transfer (my email hadn't been responded to) only to be told that the transfer was on Sunday
• Taxis do leave Siem Reap after 2pm - my transfer arranged by Green Lion was at 3pm. Taxis also leave Samraong for Siem Reap on Friday evenings after school finishes
• The accommodation is in a secure "compound" with several other volunteers. It's basic, but nice. There are 4 volunteers per room each with its own bathroom (although there was often little or no water from the shower, a problem that I think has now been solved)
• The accommodation is, I would guess, 3 kilometres from the school, so travel to school is by bike. I didn't know this until I arrived and was very nervous about cycling on roads without a helmet and no lights (I refused to cycle at night which limited some of the activities I could take part in). My advice is to bring a helmet and lights
• I'd also suggest buying a full rain poncho in Siem Reap for about $5, an umbrella or jacket suggested by Global Nomadic wouldn't be much use cycling in torrential rain. You'll also need clothes that cover knees and shoulders when teaching. I didn't need water purification tablets as plenty of fresh drinking water was always available at the guesthouse
• We taught mornings and afternoons - not the 3 hours advertised but 6 hours per day including breaks. This was from 8am - 11am and again from 2pm - 5pm. It was very hot midday and gets dark soon after 5.30pm so I had very little opportunity to visit the local area which was a real shame as I thought I'd be free every morning or afternoon and that I'd have the Sunday to explore before the project started
• The project does not ask for resources, but if I had known that whiteboards are used (not blackboards), I would have brought out some refillable coloured board markers and ink to supplement the single coloured pen which was supplied
All in all it was a good experience but I'd suggest booking direct with Green Lion if possible.

This internship had so much false advertising. Another intern I knew who did the TV station internship told me they hardly had him do anything--mostly just sit in the office.

I did the print journalism internship. To start with, the homestay option was nonsense. Don't count on getting one! They put me in a sordid apartment to share a room with 3 other people. As for the job description, you won't teach anybody English, they don't care about ideas to "Westernize" or proofread the content (they have their own editors who speak English), and you won't have opportunity to follow anybody into the field because the local staff is just too busy for you.

Granted, I was given a lot of freedom as to the topics I could write on. However, it was incredibly difficult to get information since so many websites were all in Mongolian, and much of the local staff just didn't care to help me.

As for the "representative" who was supposed to accommodate me, he was always very difficult to reach by phone, and totally unreliable: he never put more money on my phone card like he said he would, and it took him 3 weeks to get me my passport back (my roommate got it back from another guy in 2 days).

Furthermore, nobody gives you any guidance on speaking Mongolian (hardly anybody speaks English), and nobody gave me any suggestion on places to go or things to do in Ulaanbaatar.

In summary, it was nice to go to Mongolia, but I don't appreciate at all the lies that Global Nomadic put on its website, nor the horrid service I received after arriving.

Global Nomadic placed me quickly and smoothly with an awesome Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Buenos Aires, Argentina for my Communications internship.

This internship is as rewarding as you make it. There was no actual set hours or mentor to guide you, so you could choose to work hard and learn the ropes yourself, or simply glide through. Obviously, I chose the former: I brought my laptop and camera (highly recommended as they are not provided) and worked closely with the Comms team on promoting their many projects throughout the big, vibrant city. We traveled to communities to take footage and interview directors of the projects, and I busted out my Spanish and facilitated the interviews, as well as had the opportunity to write articles about the people, culture, and places. I loved the people and the non-profit I worked for. Everyone was super chill, and even though I didn't live in the housing, I saw them there often as it was our headquarters for the Comms team. It also worked out that I had a videographer intern on my team, so I got to fulfill my desire of learning more about film editing and the software.

I really felt good about promoting the eight projects (and seeing where some of my money went) that help underprivileged Argentinians; I gained a new perspective, immersed myself in a new culture, and tried new things. That was my goal: to connect with the locals, to be able to communicate and understand their lives, and to use my creative skills to help them and their projects thrive. And of course, to return to Canada equipped with unique experience in my field to add to my portfolio for future employers.

I love Buenos Aires. Saw it as a tourist in 2014, and lived as a local there this year. Two entirely different experiences, but both some of the best times of my life. Thank you!

About a year ago, I found myself searching for an experience that wasn't stereotypical. I wanted something new and exciting. Therefore, I used the only research tool up to the task, the internet. After plugging in a few key words I found a sight that really peaked my interest, Global Nomadic. The options were limitless, with an expanse of internships involved in various major interests, taking people to all corners of the globe. Eventually, I came upon an internship that really interested. It was a trip to Laos, a land locked country between Thailand and Vietnam, and an opportunity to work with Asian elephants. The process of booking the trip through Global Nomadic made it a breeze, they even helped me book my flights. The site itself also prepared me for what to expect with an itinerary, sleeping arrangements, and even what to bring. The only thing I had to do was get on the plane. Global Nomadic made this trip so easy and honestly; it was an experience I will never forget.

I went through Global Nomadic to become a volunteer at the a local nonprofit...this was unecessary as GN did nothing to support my stay and I could of just went through the volunteer organization's website! Save some bucks and forget GN! I LOVED MY TIME OTHERWISE!