Smaller Earth
Programs and Reviews
Smaller Earth offers a number of volunteer programs, internships and working holiday programs around the world. Smaller Earth has over 12 years of experience in cultural exchange and is here to help you explore your world.
Smaller Earth embraces a vision to positively impact 20 million people by 2020. We inspire individuals to go further personally, professionally, and geographically through our cultural exchange programs.
These programs are a great fit for those planning a gap year, volunteer vacation, or a working holiday. Dozens of volunteer projects and internships are available, visit the Smaller Earth website to get planning!
Programs Abroad
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Reviews
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I've been teaching in Saigon for a little over 3 months now and the time of my life doesn't even come close to describing the fun I've had, the Friends I've made and most importantly; what I've learned from my time in Vietnam. It all started with a sweaty week of the most wide ranging and informative orientation I have ever received from a company I've worked for. The basic Vietnamese lessons were very useful. Once you learn how to order a Banh Mi and an Iced Coffee you never look back. Then came my placement, which I was quite anxious about beforehand. Rumours of the Chinese Border and Floating Shack Schools abounded but luckily I ended up staying right in Saigon. But Vietnam is such an ever changing and wonderful place that, looking back now, you shouldn't worry about it.
I have always felt quite safe in Saigon. Needless to say there are certain places you just don't go but you get that in any city. 99.9% of Vietnamese people I've encountered are willing to lend a hand in any situation whether it be kickstarting your Honda or helping you cross 12 lanes of traffic.
As for the placement and the support I received before and now during the contract; I couldn't ask for more. Any question great or small, personal or general is answered and you will be assisted with any issue you may have with your placement. I've found that no issue is too great or too small for this company and its staff. Any Medical concerns, Visa Troubles, Travel and Accommodation issues were all comprehensively dealt with.
One thing I would advise to anyone thinking of applying to this Internship Programme is to be patient. It's South East Asia and Vietnam is still very much a Developing Country, despite what the cities and coastal paradises may offer. Vietnamese people have a set way of doing things as you will discover in your placement. You will see things, taste things and experience things you couldn't imagine in your wildest dreams. But it is all worth it.
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I had a great time during the four week course in HCMC. I had never travelled overseas by myself before and was quite nervous, but the support from the staff before, during and after the training has been nothing but excellent. It was good to have step by step instructions as to what to do when stepping off the plane, how to pick up my visa and go through customs. Important also was that someone was there to pick me up and take me to the right place.
Being part of a small friendly class meant that we become quite close as a group, to each other and to the staff. We worked hard but had fun at the same time. I always felt safe in Saigon and quickly learned things like crossing the road, avoiding being run over by motor bikes and how easy it is to use a taxi.
On completion of the course I felt as if I was equipped to start my journey as an English teacher. I was placed, along with one of the other interns, with a company who own 8 schools in the central and southern parts of Vietnam. We were sent to the Mekong Delta to teach but not just in one school like most of the interns but in two towns/schools. This is a great adventure for both of us and we absolutely love it. Because we are living in smaller towns that are not on the tourist route, we are made to feel very special. The staff at both of our schools have made us feel welcomed and have looked after our needs.
I have loved learning new things nearly every day. Living and working with the people of Vietnam is something I will treasure forever. You do not experience the "real" Vietnam just by visiting for a few days or even weeks. You need to get into the lives of the local people.
I would recommend this course and experience to anyone who is thinking about it.
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Hi,
I've been teaching now for three months and enjoy it more everyday. I'm very grateful to TTV for all their help and support both during and after the training.
There is something very special about teaching in this country that you cannot learn in books. You need to experience it to understand. It is not always easy to adopt new habits and methods but it is precisely in trying and doing it that, everyday, you learn to appreciate the whole experience and get better.
It required a bit of time before I knew what and where to eat. When you know where to go, you experience tastes that are unique and delicious. But so it goes for all your senses. This country is simply beautiful and its people warm and welcoming. Teaching in Vietnam has been and continues to be the richest experience I ever had. I met lots of awesome people, taught hundreds and hundreds of students that are eager to learn.
If I had a recommendation but it is totally up to you, it would be to bring a laptop with you as you will need a great deal of organisation. I use it everyday for teaching, be it for looking for resources or showing students something on the screen or on TV. It is also very useful to keep in touch with the rest of the world.
One of the biggest requirement for this whole program, is to be able to smile and love what you're doing and who you're doing it for. The rest will come by itself.
Thanks again to TTV who made this experience possible. The first steps is always the most important part in everything, and I feel that TTV was the springboard to quickly get on the right track.
Regards
Lawrent
90%Overall
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Volunteering in the most beautiful city of Cape Town and indulging into its local cultures will be a great experience already, let alone the possibility for you to make a real difference to the lives of the young children there as you contribute in their local rural pre-schools and HIV/AIDS care-homes. We also had the opportunity to teach sports to high school students, inculcating among them, a healthier living lifestyle for all! The South African project is a must-do, especially those who want to be a part of positively impacting the lives of the many younger ones!
Been here in Vietnam since end of August 2012... 3 months and going strong! Having so much fun, in a really good placement with very kind and affectionate staff. The locals are really great people and had minor incidents.
The staff at TTV are beyond helpful. Any little problem you have, they will be dealing with it right away no questions asked. They are very insightful and always there to help you teach.