Why did you decide to volunteer in Vietnam with Volunteering Solutions?
Doug: I was chosen by the Griffith Honours College (a division of Griffith University) to participate in a solo pilot program to Vietnam. I then had to report back to the Honours College of my amazing experience as a possible venture for future students to participate in. Volunteering Solutions was the organisation that my university directed me towards. I found them very professional and helpful in all aspects, including before, during and after the experience. I also wanted to gain international teaching experience and cultural knowledge of other countries.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer?
Doug: Everyday I would walk 15 minutes to the school. Here I would assist in the classroom at the Morning Star Centre. Here all of the children were mentally handicapped. I would help the teachers with the activities with the children. This involved playing games, participation in lessons feeding the children and doing exercise with the children - including dancing which was popular. Sometimes we would take the children to a performance or outing away from the school which was always fun.
What made this volunteer abroad experience unique and special?
Doug: What made this experience uniques and special was the connection and impact I was able to have in the classroom - although there was very little English there. None of my students spoke English, apart from the odd hello and goodbye. Only one of the teachers (two teachers per classroom) could speak a small amount of English. This was unique because it was amazing how well I could communicate with these young children and teachers all through body language. All you need to do it lighten up a little and have some fun. You can't be too serious here.
The highlight of my trip was learning how to ride a scooter here in peak hour traffic. Many fellow foreigners would thing I am crazy if you have ever seen the traffic in Vietnam, however I was able to train myself gradually by taking motorbike taxi's instead of regular ones. The locals found it rather amusing to see a Westerner like myself riding a scooter with a girl from Hong Kong on the back. All in all a challenging and rewarding experience.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Doug: This experience has given my a greater cultural awareness to bring back to Australian. I am able to use this knowledge directly in my classroom where I am constantly challenged with a growing diverse range of students. The experience has also assisted me to adapt to overseas travels and has opened up other international opportunities. I am currently teaching English in China where I have been responsible for setting up a classroom for a pilot holiday program for Chinese students.