Volunteer to Teach Conversational English to Adults in Vietnam

I have gone to Vietnam many times. I started in 2000 with GV when the program was in the south. Now, the program is in the north. I always still enjoy going back to Vietnam because of the people, the culture, and the newness each time. Even with the chaotic traffic and the noise, there is a certain mystic calmness which is always present. Walking around the lake during one's free time, watching the locals exercise, eating in local restaurants is always a break from my reality at home. Vietnam and its people lured my many years ago and the allurement continues today. Go and enjoy a different world..

The two week volunteer trip I embarked on to Vietnam was exciting and also a bit scary as it was my first time traveling outside of North America and alone. However, from the moment I got to Vietnam until I left there was not a bit of fear in me. The experience was amazing. I loved the group I worked with, the people of the country, the landscape, and the list goes on and on. Two weeks may seem like a short time but the memories, insight and friends that were made will last forever. I would recommend Global Volunteers and especially the Vietnam experience to anyone.

This was a fulfilling way to dig a little deeper into the culture - beyond the tourist scene. We made friends with teachers, students, school office staff and ordinary folks in the sidewalk cafes. The service project - helping youth improve their English speaking skills at a local school - was very fun and fulfilling. The kids are smart, caring and enthusiastic. There always seemed to be a vibe of positive energy and friendliness in the people we met in Hanoi. They live fully. As a former '60s peacenik and Vietnam war protester, I was so happy to experience this ancient, beautiful country in such a new and life-affirming way.

Fortunately for our team, the bilingual teachers at the primary/high school we volunteered for, provided most of the lessons.
The challenges for us were to come up with impromptu activities based on the materials given to us after the lesson was explained. A lot of these activities could be learned by people who may have attended summer camps; paid attention in school and retained the fun activities from their classrooms; or, from professional educators who are trained to do this regularly. However, anyone who is quick, creative and clever can come up with activities, and when there's a team of at least a couple of other people, it's not too difficult.

Global volunteers in Hanoi is an opportunity to work daily with some of the most engaging young adults you will ever have a chance to meet. These students are eager, optimistic, and open to what you bring them and thirsting for an opportunity to speak with native speakers. Every day was a challenge, but a satisfying one and the volunteers got together after each day with stories of humor, warmth, and curiosity. Hanoi is a fascinating place - as my wife put it, Hanoi is dirty, noisy, old, crowded and we would go back anytime! Watching Vietnam emerge with fervor into world culture is remarkable. Global does a wonderful job of supporting the volunteers and every day was organized, fun, educational, and satisfying. I would recommend this trip to anyone with a sense of adventure and a good dose of cultural flexibility.

We spent 2 weeks in Hanoi teaching English with Global Volunteers in the fall of 2010. We had the honor of serving with a very experienced team of volunteers and were lead by a compassionate and fabulous team leader. We loved the small hotel where we stayed, the local Old Quarter which became our home away from home, and especially the students we taught at the local University. These students were so eager to learn how to improve their English, it was a pleasure to spend time in their classrooms.

Hanoi was a wonderful place to be, and we found the Vietnamese to be warm and welcoming. Global Volunteers does a great job with logistics, housing, work projects and safety. We couldn't have been more pleased with our trip and often talk about returning!

Barbara Morris and Phil Zeitler

What more can I say: I want to do it all over again.
Well, maybe I will. Carving a space out of my daily life and filling it with a cultural experience, fun, satisfaction when I finally "got it" made this two week period unforgettable.